The oracles of Oprah

The internet is buzzing with all kinds of information ranging from new ideas to corporate challenges to free prizes. It offers anybody just about anything. There are millions of websites but perhaps one of the most talked about began when Oprah Winfrey decided to go from business entrepenuer to theological expert. Recently, Oprah began a charge to set people free from the idea that there is only one way people can get to heaven. Through slick campaigns, the use of the internet, and her idea of truth, she now has the world's largest "church" (on the internet) estimated at over 2.5 million followers. How did she do this? What is her message? Is this really a threat to the established church?
Simply put, her message promotes the idea that being a Christian is a matter of interpretation. The belief is that whatever you place your trust in is God to you and that is how you will be permitted into heaven. So, basically this theology teaches that you can create your own God and use him as a ticket to entering eternal bliss. This is not a new idea she came up with. In fact, this theology has been around a long time. It is called the "New Age" movement. To the New Ager or cosmic humanist, God is an impersonal idea that can take on many forms. The goal of a person's spirituality is to become one with this impersonal force or to reach a state of higher consciousness that lies somewhere in the cosmos.
I don't know how you feel or even if you have a comment on the subject, but I have an opinion on the matter. There's a major problem here. This religious idea leaves no room for a historical Jesus who was born to a woman named Mary, who lived in Nazareth, who died on a cross and who rose from the dead. If Oprah's theology is correct, then Jesus was a complete fool for giving his life for the only way to heaven - through the cross. His life means nothing, his teaching is false and his resurrection is a hoax. It is impossible to blend these 2 extreme ideas. Only one can be right. Oprah argues that everyone can be right because truth is relative to the individual. Her teaching is misleading, her logic is shaky, and her theology misguided. Having more than one truth breeds confusion and divides people into all kinds of camps. There must be some standard somewhere to measure all things to help us in perceiving life more accurately. Maybe that standard is called TRUTH! Think about it!

Bridge Out

What do the Akashi-kaiyo, the Storbaelt, and the Tsing Ma all have in common? They are all world most famous bridges. Have you ever thought about where our world would be without these architectual wonders? In layman's terms, bridges are large structures that span bodies of water or chasms connecting 2 separated land masses. During war, military strategists suggest eliminating bridges to keep opposing military forces from mobilizing troops. Bridges make possible what was previously impossible. These structures simply make life more convenient.
But what about generational bridges? Why is it so difficult for generations to understand one another? Why isn't there more of a concerted effort to dialogue about generational differences? Why don't "baby boomers" understand the "new millenials?" Why do retirees not understand teenagers? Well, again we haven't taken the time to do what structural crews are doing all over the world. We haven't built bridges.
On August 1, 2007 an unsuspected American tragedy took place during rush hour in Minneapolis. It happened on I 35 West bound. Somehow the bridge, that spanned the Mississippi River gave way and 8 lanes of traffic plunged into the river below. A number of people died and many more were injured due to a lack of support. The point? The bridge is still not rebuilt and the citizens of Minneapolis have to deal with the adverse results. Traffic jams, chaos, and road rage are now a part of daily travel in Minneapolis as a result of a missing bridge. What used to be easy and convenient has now become burdensome and irritating. That's what happens when bridges are nonexistent. So, the next time you see a person of another generation, build a bridge. Take the initiative to converse with someone beyond or before your generation to make an attempt to reach out. You may be surprised at the results. Think about it!