The Church of Oprah Winfrey (Part 2)

The Church of Oprah Winfrey (Part 2)
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

I pointed out in last week’s article that Oprah Winfrey is now attempting to help her followers spiritually, not just socially and psychologically. The problem is that her religious concepts are rooted in New Ageism, rather than the Holy Scriptures. Oprah’s website showcases the teachings of a prominent new age philosopher named Eckhart Tolle. Oprah cited the following statement from Tolle as being one of her “favorites:” “Only the truth of who you are, if realized, will set you free.” This is classic new ageism. It suggests that truth is not contained or expressed in a divine communiqué, such as the Bible. They believe that truth is subjective, not objective. The new-ager believes that truth is buried within oneself and must be discovered by “conscious awakening.”

Perhaps you noticed that the last part of Tolle’s statement is identical to the words of Jesus in John 8:32. Jesus said, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” Of course, Jesus taught that people would be made free as a result of knowing the truth of God, not the truth of themselves. Tolle adapted the words of Jesus to his own concept of “God” and “truth.” New Ageism sees “all as one,” and thus “God” is in all things. The technical term for this is monism. The new-ager finds “God” when he “finds himself.” This was once said to be accomplished by transcendental meditation. Tolle’s term for it is “enlightened perception.” The Bible reader is reminded of Jeremiah’s words: “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jer. 10:23). “Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). We must look to Christ for Truth.

Sadly, this fact is denied by Oprah Winfrey. She told an audience, “One of the mistakes that human beings make is believing that there is only one way. There are many paths to what you call God.” This statement is based upon the New Age belief that Jesus was just one of many who achieved “enlightenment.” They compare and equate Jesus to Buddha, Krishna, Mohammed, and any others who attained to such “a state.” Bible believers must beware! These people are preaching “another Jesus” (2 Cor. 11:4), and their Godless doctrines must be challenged and rejected.

View past articles at http://parkwayarticles.blogspot.com. Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: timhaile@mac.com.