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!
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!
4 comments:
WOW! Just to hear something like this just sends me a message that someone who is powerful does not believe that Jesus is real. I think people like Oprah can just make anything they want to be there God. even an tangiable object. I think all of those people who follow this "New Age" theroy are just lazy and they just want to take the easy way out and just think that they could get into heaven. Even though i am a younger generation and did not to much about Jesus, that i could be sucked into this whole theroy, but i did not, My good friend Lucas, always told that there is nothing in this world, or your spiritual life, that would be easy. To have money like Oprah and be as famous as her anything she could say people would believe. the adults are like little kids and someone older could tell them anything they want and the child would believe them. If they think Jesus is fake or his powers were exaggeratted, they are wrong. The Bible tells us what Jesus did. In a way it is sad, that these people do not have Jesus in their lifes. I feel that those people should consider seeing the our side of reality. Jesus is real, and his powers our unpredictable, There is no such thing as taking the "easy way out of religion to go to heaven".
Joe is so right the way the world is today they want every thing easy with out a sacrifice. That’s why so many people get scammed on get rich quick schemes. But it does take a sacrifice to have any thing worth while. Yes it does take a sacrifice to follow Jesus but is worth it. After all He gave the ultimate sacrifice His life what is this costing Oprah?
But let’s look at the "Oprah move" in another way. The world is hungry maybe this is showing us as Christians that the harvest is ready. We as Christians serving the one true God. Have so much more to offer. People will still fill empty and void after trying Oprah’s way. And I wonder how many people would listen to her if she wasn’t the richest women in America. Look at Obamba can you believe this man will not salute the American flag or give it much recognition. He is running for president in the United States and is winning his party. People want to follow someone they need to follow Jesus we as Christians need to show them the way. This is a hungry world we live in.
When Oprah and her flock finally reach the golden doors of the bank vault, or mercedes or whatever else they consider God, they are going to have a rude awakening. It's too late to turn back then. Why is it so easy to deny the spiritualism and glorify materialism? We were created from absolutely NOTHING. How can anyone deny the true God. He is in everything and everyone. Oprah's "church" wants to go the easy route in the fast lane. Christians know there isn't a fast lane. It's a long, hard struggle to get to heaven. But the end result is worth it all.
I think Oprah's "followers" or "church" are taken with what they see her do and, most importantly, give. I think when it comes to giving and service to others, the church should strive to do it's very best.
Just a thought.
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