It’s awesome to be back!
Finally back home now (from a long week in Birmingham). It feels great to be in the comfort of my own home, loving and enjoying life.
I’ve spend my afternoon organizing and putting things away from the trip. Hubby cooked dinner and Nyomi decided to play a game of Life solitaire. That was interesting. Baby’s been sleeping for a little while now…
I have been thinking about Oprah Winfrey’s new web class... on A New Earth and realized that the new age philosophy is becoming decidedly more rampant, and that this is the season in which it will increase greatly due to Oprah’s fame.
Now, don’t get me wrong…I like Oprah. I watch her shows…
However, as a Christian I have to wonder what this implies for the minds of God’s people.
Are we to entertain ideologies that emphasize the importance of connecting to the true you as a result of a belief of oneness with the universe?
Is the very thread of Christianity hinged on the fact that we can have a standard of holiness as well as a standard of togetherness with that which is unholy?
In other words, doesn’t the scripture which says “how can two walk together except they agree?” mean that we should reject the notion of oneness with the world, and continue to live “set apart” for the use of God?
If we walk hand in hand with the world and try to be in unity with the world’s system, doesn’t that negate all that Christ has done for us in the one act of the Cross (redeeming us and separating us unto Himself for His glory and our eternity with Him)?
So, in this sense…doesn’t the study of material such as A New Earth subtly shift our focus from the separation Christ has made between the Church and the World into a type of oneness view, where all of our beliefs and consciousness (religious, spiritual, or otherwise), just simply melt into one large human togetherness with no true distinction?
And if so…what does that imply for the Christian believer?
So many thoughts, so many answers to be sought…
I leave it up to you to ponder that, my friends.
I’m going now to read my precious Word of God and gain my strength for tonight and tomorrow…
Barbara Howard says:
Hi Demetria,
I have been concerned about the influence that Oprah has had on her vast audience for many many years. I was once a corp sales rep for Borders Books Group and the millions of dollars that were generated by her simply mentioning a book/author on air was astounding! Books and movies like the Golden Compass that came out during Christmas season is another example of how we must stay sober and vigilant. Thank you for sharing.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:57 am
Rhonda says:
Well said! I agree with you! Thanks for speaking out on this matter.
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:20 am
Daphne says:
Hello Demetria: Good to have you back. I thought about this and now realize more than ever why I have not followed Oprah over the last few years. There was something in my spirit that just didn’t sit right with her spirit. Over the years I have never heard her give the Lord thanks for all that she has become. I have always thought that it was more about Oprah than it was ever actually about others. I recently read or heard that she was calling herself a Prophetess and it had nothing to do with the Lord’s will. I now see why. Take care and God bless you and yours.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Sue Krouse says:
Oprah and Barok will have a very negative affect on Christians and the Biblical teachings.
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Brenda says:
Yes, we so need to read God’s Word and hold its Truth up against the teachings of the New Age and mysticism that have been making their way into the CHURCH! See http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/newsletter021808.htm
(a Christian research site). Here’s a quote from them:
“Oprah Winfrey has become a major influencer in the lives of millions of women. Her recent promotion of New Ager Eckhart Tolle’s January release, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose has turned the book into a best seller in just weeks. In the meantime, Oprah’s year-long promotion of A Course in Miracles is leading countless women into the arms of a New Age religion and a false god. This is no minor thing that is taking place. The New Age has come out of the closet in full force, and most Christians don’t even realize they are stepping to its tune through contemplative, emerging, and purpose driven spirituality.”
It was prophesied in the Bible of such a “…strong delusion, that they should believe a lie…” (IIThess.2:11) I’m heeding the warning and sticking to the Truth - JESUS is the only way (John 14:6)!
March 4th, 2008 at 1:24 am
dewbi says:
Wow! I, like Daphne, never really “felt” Oprah! My husband likes her and so do MOST of my inner circle. They think I am a hater! Not so! Oprah has ALWAYS come across to me as looking for some type of alternative to Christianity. I have NEVER heard her say anything about Jesus or making reference to God being Lord over her life.
When she hooked up with Iyanla VanZant many years ago, it was ALL about “tapping in to the spirit (small “s”) that is within. Look inside yourself, there lies ALL the answers”..now with Tolle, it is “the energy is all from within you”…Sort of the same philosophy.
Demetria, I am with you..What DOES this mean for the CHRISTIAN believer? Do we put the Holy Spirit (capital “S”) on the back burner and subscribe to a spiritual awakening that “brings about an awareness of the present that is a gateway to a heightened sense of peace”?
I THINK NOT!
The ONLY peace I know is the kind that comes from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. You know the peace I mean? The peace that surpasses ALL understanding! That peace comes from ONE source and ONE source alone! And that is JESUS CHRIST, my Lord and saviour!
dewbi
March 10th, 2008 at 12:45 am
Demetria says:
Thanks for all of your comments!
I’m so glad you “feel” me on that one. It’s kind of tough to say when everyone else in society seems to be in the opposite camp, but truly, as Christian we do have to think about these things…
What does the spirit of God reveal to us about any spirit which tries to equate itself to “as good as” (if not better than) the One True God?
Again, thanks for your feedback!
March 10th, 2008 at 5:04 am