Apr
10
Written by:
Kyle Gray
4/10/2008 9:30 PM
First of all, I will not approve posts that tell me I am attacking Oprah as a person, and all the good she has, and is doing for humanity!!! I respect her greatly for all she devotes herself to in helping charities, people in third world countries and those in need domestically as well. It is her theology I am questioning here, not her humanitarian efforts.
As you may know, Oprah is in the middle of an online 10 week study right now with over 2 million people joining her weekly. This time around, she is partnering with Eckhart Tolle…author of “A New Earth; Awakening Your Life’s Purpose”. Both the book and the online course purport to be able to awaken you and our world to life’s grand purpose. Yet this is only old lies in new packaging. The oldest lies in the universe are: “your eyes will be opened,” “you shall be as gods,” and “you shall know the difference between good and evil.” (Gen 3:5)
Eckhart Tolle’s version of enlightenment includes the belief in what he calls “painbodies.” These painbodies appear to be similar to what Scientologists call “Body Thetans” (BT’s) which is a pesky, negative and nasty thing that we should shed as soon as possible. I agree with John Hamby that Tolle’s theology is nothing more than an eclectic mix of western and eastern beliefs presented in a tolerant, non-threatening and nonsectarian way. What we are getting here is Eastern mysticism proclaimed with a German accent. Sure, there may be some truth mixed in with this error. And some of the observations and exercises in the book and seminar may be helpful to people with anxiety, anger, and depression. But at its very core, the teachings of Eckhart Tolle contradict biblical Christianity. Just a few examples are, his statements that: •“A growing number of followers of traditional religions realize that how spiritual you are has nothing to do with what you believe.” [Eckhart Tolle. “A New Earth: Awakening To Your Life’s Purpose” p. 18] •“We need to understand here that heaven is not a location but refers to the inner realm of consciousness.” [Ibid. p. 23] •“The ultimate truth of who you are is not I am this or I am that but I am.” [Ibid. p. 23]
On one of her shows a Christian in the audience challenged Oprah about being an adherent of the “New Age.” Oprah responded by saying, “I am not a new age anything and I resent being called that. I am just trying to open a door so that people can see themselves more clearly and perhaps be the light to get them to God, whatever they call that.” Yet if you examine what she says she believes it is New Age to the core. Also it is instructive to note that her continual search reminds us that this kind of spirituality is ultimately unsatisfying. The smörgåsbord of religions and ideas that make up her belief system suggest that she has not found what she is looking for.
One of the dangers of this new online class is that Tolle and Oprah try to show participants in this class how Christianity can be blended together with other religious beliefs. Oprah describes herself as a “free-thinking Christian” and tells how she arrived at that point. Understand this when you blend Christianity with any other belief system it is not longer Christianity. Christ either is your Savior or He is not. In chapter three of his book, Tolle uses much deception to marry his false doctrine with that of Christianity (and a myriad of other religions). In fact Eckhart ends this chapter with a bang when he claims “… God is a feeling experience not a believing experience. … If God for you is still about a belief, then it is not truly God.” (A New Earth, p. 45). Yet Scripture clearly states in Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him (God), for he who comes to God must believe that He is (exists) and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (NKJV) In fact believing is the very foundation of the Christian faith.
Oprah has a tremendous amount of influence and she certainly has the right to say whatever she feels is true, that’s not a constitutional thing, God allows it all over the Bible. My worry is that some Christians are being fooled by this teaching. The Bible stands alone as the Word of God, timeless, applicable and infallible. Not because I said it, because God made it so. Oprah claims to be a Christian but admittedly denies Jesus is the only way. This is against Biblical truth.
Oprah and Tolle consistently use verbiage like, “In that true state of being we find the real I AM”…and “Man created God in mans own image”. Statements like this are clearly not original and nothing new. They are taken from Gods Word and twisted to mans liking. There is nothing new under the sun, this is why it is important to know your scripture!
Tags:
8 comments so far...
Re: So, what is Oprah REALLY saying?
Thanks so much for your insight, Pastor Kyle! I watch Oprah just about daily and was tempted to get the book and join her study group, but something inside of me,(the Holy Spirit), kept whispering that I am equipped with all I need. All my answers are in the Bible and with my Father God I can do anything. You have just confirmed that for me.
By Sue Cline on
4/11/2008 9:20 AM
|
Re: So, what is Oprah REALLY saying?
I think your Genesis 3 reference is key to understanding how we can be deceived into believing something that sounds spiritual yet is not from God. In Genesis 3 verse 1, the deceiver (serpent in most translations) was crafty, and he starts by asking a simple question. No harm in this right it’s all innocent, but notice what was said, he challenges what the woman understood about God’s command of what not eat. He doesn’t attack directly he is subtle, and goes on in verse 4 to challenge God’s authority to really tell her what she should and shouldn’t do. And then verse 5 that Kyle referenced, “your eyes will be opened and you will be like God knowing good and evil”. If we rephrase that in the language that Tolle uses, I think it would go like this, you will be enlightened transcending your ego centric consciousness and finding the true I AM. I AM is the name that God used for Himself in the old testament when Moses ask God who he should say had sent him.(Ex. 3:13-14) I totally agree with the statement these are the old lies in a new package. Clearly Tolle is proclaiming that we will be our own God when we are enlightened beyond our ego as he states it. There is only one source of unchanging Truth, Gods Word the Bible.
By MikeK on
4/11/2008 5:45 PM
|
Re: So, what is Oprah REALLY saying?
Oprah is very influential and she is NOT the only one seeking (obviously there are more than two million)...not only do we need to know scripture to find truth for ourselves....we need to know scripture to proclaim the truth to others so they are not looking for it in places like "The New Earth; Awakening your life's purpose"!!!
By Kelly on
4/12/2008 9:16 AM
|
Re: So, what is Oprah REALLY saying?
Yeah, this gets creepier...there's a good clip on YouTube that kind of sums up her stance on Christianity and this New Age stuff (http://youtube.com/watch?v=JW4LLwkgmqA) and in it they talk about a woman Oprah has giving lessons on her website that is trying to establish a "Department of Peace". And most of us probably have heard of Oprah's endorsement of Obama. I think for anyone who's read the "Left Behind" series or follows end-time prophesies this hits just a little too close to home for comfort. Ick. Yes, for anyone who knows a devout Oprah fan please email them the link to this video, it's a real eye-opener.
By Christy on
4/16/2008 11:42 AM
|
Re: So, what is Oprah REALLY saying?
Seriously? I remember all these Left Behind readers who were claiming Kofi Annan or Javier Solana must be antichrists because they were people in positions of power who worked towards peace. Kofi Annan is out of office and the EU barely makes headlines. Meanwhile we have a president in office who claims to follow Christian values who launches two unprovoked wars while claiming to stand for peace and security and I don't hear those same people saying anything about him being the antichrist.
Suggesting that Obama might be the antichrist because Oprah endorses him and some woman that Oprah supports said something that reminded you of something in a fictional novel about the apocalypse is seriously ridiculous, especially when it's suggested context in a blog that's telling us we need to find our truth in the scriptues and not in popular books.
By T on
4/16/2008 12:32 PM
|
Re: So, what is Oprah REALLY saying?
"T" you're completely missing my point, I was not suggesting Obama is the Antichrist, I don't believe anything of the sort. I believe end time prophesies (the book of Revelations) refer to a one-world government from which a global "religion" is born. This religion starts as a peace-loving entitiy that attempts to unify all other religions that exist up to that point, but what comes from it is anything but good. I'm not drawing any conclusions from this I just think it's interesting that with Oprah and her gurus we get this New Age garbage that also attempts to dilute and unite religions and has a bold interest in influencing politics and even has an official Dept. of Peace. I only mentioned the Left Behind series because there are many Christians who aren't familiar with popular interpretations of Revelations but who may have read the popular Left Behind series in which this scenario is illustrated. I apologize for my lack of clarity. But geez, "seriously ridiculous"? ouch, try a little more love next time, brother.
By Christy on
4/16/2008 1:06 PM
|
Re: So, what is Oprah REALLY saying?
Sorry for my harshness Christy, politics get me a little riled up and that didn't translate well to my blog post. I can see how people might be able to draw a comparison between some individuals and the end-times scenario as laid out in the Left Behind books, but I think it's important to remember that these books only are an interpretation of the book of Revelation and to rely on them too much would be dangerous.
I follow politics closely and I think this next election is very important. We should watch for leaders on both sides who would try to use religion to influence and control. I don't think Oprah's foray into spirituality necessarily has a connection with any political campaign though.
By T on
4/16/2008 1:33 PM
|
Re: So, what is Oprah REALLY saying?
The devil has to make the way seem right and sounds good or no one would believe it.
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to man, but in the end it leads to death. The right choice sometimes requires hard work and self sacrifice. Best not to take the short cut to God we might not end up where we think it is leading.
By julie k on
4/18/2008 9:59 AM
|
|
|
 |
|