I know that some of you love Oprah and I do too. I think she is a wonderful humanitarian, incredibly smart and so much fun to watch.
However, I would have to disagree with her on this point.
This is an example of the way that a great majority of our world thinks today.
Whew! That gets my heart beating fast!
I don't know when this was taped and it possible that this is no longer her opinion- I don't know.
BUT my point is.... MANY people DO feel this way now.
How are we living and speaking to these people?
Are they seeing the truth of Jesus is our lives?
This is a huge challenge to me lately.
I don't want to walk this planet aimlessly.
I want to show forth the goodness and truth of my Great God.
What about you? Are you convinced yourself that there is one way or do you think there could be many ways to reach "God?"
Maybe these will help:
1 Tim 2:4-7 5
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men-the testimony given in its proper time.
NIV
John 14:66
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.
NIV
I enjoy watching some of the talk shows for women. But I am also very careful to make sure that my faith is not being weakened by what is being said.
I don't care WHO says it...if it disagrees with what the Word of God says...it's wrong!
Be alert girls, satan would love to trip us up and get us off track "just a little" by the things we hear on TV.
Just for the record...
* Godly submission is holy!
* Your kids DO need discipline.
* Being a wife and mother is an honor to the Lord.
Ok, off the soapbox...(for now)....
36 comments:
I stopped watching Oprah years ago when she brought Marianne Williamson on her show and gave her a very big forum as a "Christian." But in reality, Marianne Williamson's teachings are very much new age (notice in the video Oprah quotes Marianne as referring to darkness and light as love and...I forgot the rest of the false teaching she mentioned).
I do believe that God can and does use broken vessels to accomplish His will and to bring glory to Himself. To that end, I know He can purpose good things through Oprah's show. I still choose not to watch, as her misrepresentation of Christianity is disturbing to me and I won't allow myself to be downcast by it. JMHO.
Blessings,
~Toni~
Thanks Toni, that's the kind of input I'm looking for...honest!
:)
I will admit, Oprah is not one that I watch...maybe catch it a couple times a year...but I will catch The View probably 2 X a week average. It all depends on my schedule.
Although I must admit- my daughter gets so tired of me talking back to the TV!
That's why I blog!!!
Love ya,
Sue
Good discussion.
Just the other day Beth mentioned on her blog the importance of studying under many different teachers so that you are not lead astray.
Now I mention that only to say that if the only input going down into your spirit and soul is Oprah and some of the other talk shows and soap operas-- then after awhile they can not help wearing off on your thinking.
Yes, Oprah is a "good" person. She has used her money to help many people. But when she stands before God and begins to list the many things she has done in the name of goodness--unless she comes to know Jesus--He will say depart from me I never Knew you.
I am afraid that many Christian women would rather spend 5 hours with her a week than with someone who is encouraging them to be more Godly.
She really has a new age mentality when it comes to religion.
She sounds good until you get down to the nitty gritty. And now we have Dr Phil and his wife saying that they are Christians. Not judging there hearts. But, when I hear his comments on programs I wonder where you draw the line.
You either stand for God or you don''t you can not walk the fence.
My concern is that women who are not strong in their faith see these people and they drift to what sounds right in their own ears.
Sorry, I get off my soap box. :)
Great points Sharon! You look good on that soapbox. :)
I think the nitty gritty is pretty important- we ought to get down to it more often!!
Excellent post! And great responses from Toni and Sharon. I stopped watching talk shows years ago. They usually left me upset and "yelling" at the TV.
You all are right. We must be so careful by what we listen to and what we read. I have even found myself in the past hearing something that "sounds true". The thought is planted in your mind and you begin to chew on it. Before I know it I'm believing distorted truth. We must sift everything through the word of God. We MUST KNOW truth.
I agree with Sharon when she said "My concern is women who are not strong in their faith see these people and they drift to what sounds right in their own ears."
We must to teaching/speaking the truth of Jesus.
Hummm so is the soapbox big enough for all of us? :-)
Yes Sharon- it's big enough- with room for more!!
Let me just add that I was that woman; the one who heard Marianne Williamson on Oprah as a brand new Christian and thought, "Wow! She's got such a passion for God."
But a dear, wise Christian friend was the one who opened my eyes to Marianne's new age teaching. Had my friend not been bold in mentoring me, turning me away from distorted truth, and teaching me how to discern absolute truth for myself (by sifting ALL things through the word of God), I could have easily been lead astray.
So Sharon, your concern for women who are not strong in their faith is a valid concern indeed.
I agree. I'm not a big Oprah fan myself, I find her religion to be very "watered down" and it deals a lot with "let's all just get along" instead of what the Bible says.
If you believe the Bible (and I DO!) then John 14:66 settles it!!
I appreciate your remarks and comments. It is so important that we protect our eye gate and our ear gate. Most people, even Christians, do not take this seriously enough.
I watch very little TV any more. When I do it's news or some of the game shows like Millionaire. So much of the other is absolute trash.
Susan
i'm wavin' my hankie...AMEN....preach it Sista!!!
We need to be prayed up, studied up (on the word of God), and we need to surround ourselves with Godly people....who as well are prayed up, studies up!!
There are SO many deceptions out there today, and it behoves believer's to test EVERYTHING against the word of God and NOT believe EVERYTHING we hear...that has a religious slant to it.
Thanks so much for bringing this topic to the forfront!!
I am so glad that you posted that video. When I found it on GodTube I wanted every woman in America to see it.
I personally like Oprah...don't watch her but respect her as a woman because of how she tries to help people but it doesn't change the fact that she is deciving people.
She is a good person that wants to follow the "good things" that her heart feels. And it does not feel good (to your flesh) to look someone in the face and tell them that they are serving false gods and that they are not living by the truth and that they are sinners.
Nothing feels more "humanistically" wrong to think you know the ONLY way...but we are not called to be humanistic we are called to live by the truth and to live as a light shining brighly on a hill...proclaiming the truth of our savior.
Thanks so much for sharing Sue and thanks for stopping by my blog. It's so nice to get a comment! It's seems like it's been a LOOOONG time :( :) ha!
I'm really enjoying your blog! Thank you for sharing...seriously! Please keep us in your prayers...
My favorite part of the was when Oprah said that she couldn't discuss religion. It is so important that our hearts be full of God's Word, our ears are quick to discern and our mouths be quick with speech. We must speak up when we hear such things. Letting one person believe for one second that Christ is not the ONLY way is harmful. It's so important that our hearts hear correctly/spiritually because Satan only changes one to two words not the whole thing. It goes from Jesus being THE way to A way. We must be careful Ladies.
Hi Sue!
Thank you for your encouraging comment! I'm still new to the whole world of blogging, but it's nice to know that people actually read what I write once in awhile. I checked out your blog as well, and I love it! I especially relate to your latest Oprah post, as I used to watch her talk show quite often. After awhile I stopped watching her because I realized I was beginning to put more faith in her words than God's. I'm glad to see there's a blog as encouraging as yours out there, and I look forward to reading more!
Cahleen
p.s. I like a lot of the blogs you link to, also!
-----------
Email: cahleen@dwhudson.net
Blog: http://cahleen.blogspot.com/
Photo Album: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ichudson/
Sue (xoxox)
I have to say I gave up watching Oprah long, long, long ago ago ....not even sure what it was that made me vow to the Lord never to watch her again, but I do know that I thought she had a double mindedness to her and that I felt she was a danger to us as Believers and certainly also a DANGER for non-believers.
I haven't missed her nor the hour she sucked out of my life -she truly has some confused beliefs as to Who God is and What He has done...she is way too "Woman Power" for me and really I am not surprised that she is doing so well, look at what/who we endorse in America.
I stand by my favorite motto and I warn my children constantly..."Garbage in, Garbage out."
No condemnation meant for you (or for her), just my humble opinion.
Kimmie
mama to 6
one homemade and 5 adopted
Oops, I was half done and accidently posted- that's why I deleted it!
Kimmie,
No condemnation here :)
I like the way you put that "way too woman power for me"- that is soooo true! I am tired of the woman power stuff.
Even the clip they keep showing on the news of Sally Field at the Emmys saying that if a mother was in charge we wouldn't be at war.
~sigh~
Forget woman power- we want to be women OF power (the power of God!).
That's the problem I have with Oprah - she is a good person, but she doesn't know the whole truth. And a lot of people look at her like she is some kind of a god.
Actually, my hubby calls her the Anti-Christ, but I digress.
This really hit home, as I used to be a HUGE Oprah fan! Because she's done so many good things for so many people, it's easy to buy into the "Cult of Oprah" and believe every word she says. I think your post is a great warning for all Christian Oprah fans out there. It's okay to admire her for the things she's done, but we must be discerning and not allow ourselves to be influenced by her well-articulated, and perhaps even well-intentioned, statements about "paths to God." Take everything you hear with a grain of salt!
Cahleen,
Yes, I agree- I think it is that she seems so likeable (I'm sure she is!) and someone who you would want to sit down and have a cup of coffee with (back to the coffee :)
That is what makes hers and other programs dangerous to those who are not strong in the knowledge of the Word.
It's easy for us to dislike Rosie (not that that gives us an excuse not to love and pray for her) because she's so obviously against God's Word...but when the person seems nice and fun we are less prone to be on guard against their words.
ie: Ellen- she is a hoot, I believe she is smart and very talented. But also incredibly deceived and pushing an agenda that is against God's Word.
I always try to keep in mind- "forgive them Father for they don't know what they do."
No Oprah here either... for many of the same reasons you all quoted. Mostly it was seeing relativism and the desire to not "offend" drastically alter the truth. As Toni said, the new age junk being touted as "Christian" also just turned my stomach.
The suggestion is that we're being "loving" by accepting what everyone believes... and letting them find their own "path." We know that there is only ONE way to the Father, through Christ alone. So tell me... if you saw your friend about to step into a manhole, would you speak up, or let her plunge into the sewer below? Which is the loving response? The most loving thing we can do is reach out (in love) and share the TRUTH of salvation. Satan has done a great job of making us so afraid of appearing "intolerant" that we are reluctant to speak the Word of God with clarity and with boldness. I really think we need to examine our conversations, and see if there are ways that we are watering down the truth because we don't want to "turn someone off." I'm not talking about shoving the gospel down people's throats (that generally causes gagging), but really looking at our lives and seeing if there are times God has given us the perfect opportunity to testify of what He's done for us, and let it go by because we just weren't sure how we'd be received. If God is prompting you to speak... speak. While there's still time.
*making room for someone else on the soapbox*
Thanks for the encouragement today, Sue!
I agree Heather!
I recall our Savior turning over some tables in the temple! He had a righteous anger that was fueled by His amazing love for them!
It's no time to shrink back quietly.
Matthew 10 is a great springboard for this discussion.
Sue --don't you ever get off that soapbox of yours! the bubbles are a blessing to many!
This is a nice post, I think we should be devoted in some way to the Lord, people may have different feelings towards it but we shouldn't disgrace them in public through mis-informations.
Great post!
ONE WAY!
The bottom line is Jesus is THE WAY. (John 14:6) He's the One that said it, we just trust His Word and believe it.
My first time to your site. Enjoying it.
Blessings,
Susan
Great post....
When I read "Women who are not strong in their faith..." I thought how easy it has been for me to hear the logic that is spoken by those like Oprah, and even though I am in the Word every day, it can "sound" good....and I have to stop and say "WAIT A MINUTE! THAT IS NOT BIBLICALLY BASED!" I even read a book not too long ago, written by a well meaning Christian, that was very sarcastic and critical of certain believers. Some of what he wrote was not Biblically based. As I read the book, I found myself feeling the same way...and then when I stepped away from the book, I realized that it was a sinful atitude that he had portrayed. I am so easily decieved...so was Eve!!!
I have watched Oprah in the past, never on a regular basis. Mostly I am amazed that one woman could be so rich, and live a lifestyle like she does! At times I've listened, just to hear what she has to say! What I find sad about her is that even though she does so much "good", she makes it a point to really ANNOUNCE all she does. She recieves the praise...it is not for God. So many women look to her now, and she seems to think she is quite an expert in most subjects...It just is so obvious to me that God never meant us to "worship" anyone but HIm...and it does something to the one being "worshiped"...kind of makes them think of themselves more highly than they ought to. She seems quite decieved because of it. It's sad.
Okay...I'll step off my soapbox as well!!!
God Bless!
Wow! That is all I have to say. Oprah refutes the Truth about not getting into an argument about religion, when she herself is making statements that may cost her watchers their salvation.
May God forgive us.We are so in need of Jesus' and His saving Grace.
Excellent post and thank you for stopping by my blog
penofjen.blogspot.com
I've seen this clip before and couldn't agree with you more. There is only ONE way.
Stay up on that soap box! Preach on!
I think SO many Americans buy into what Oprah stated! it "feels good" to be able to live how you want AND still accept other beliefs as ok too. People like the noncommittal lifestyle. YOu see it all over these days, and you see it in the church.
We HAVE to KNOW truth and SEEK truth or we too will be deceived.
Have you read, "When LIfe and Beliefs Collide" - GREAT book written for women regarding theology and KNOWING what you believe and why it is so important. It changed a lot for me!
Absolutely a great post. Oprah does so many humanitarian things that we all think are wonderful. She's kind, well spoken and unfortunately very deceived and deceiving too many. She most likely doesn't even realize how she is deceiving so many, but unfortunately, at this point, she could take an entire TV audience to hell with her if she doesn't find Jesus Christ and ONLY Jesus as her Savior. I guess I hadn't thought of this before, but I personally need to pray for her to find Jesus. She has a much bigger platform than most of the Mega churches and people are following her right off of the "deep end". I hope this hasn't come across as harsh or mean, that's not what I want. We just need to STAND up for what we believe and know to be true.
First time visitor here...enjoying myself immensely.
Just one comment regarding Dr. Phil and his wife, Robin's profession of faith. She has become a regular "speaker" at the "Women of Faith" conferences and her testimony has been sincere and moving. She has had the other Women of Faith on her husband's show on several occasions where they have shared as well.
It's a delicate balance for us to walk. Discerning truth from lies yet not falling prey to judging the outward appearance. I am grateful (and relieved!) that He sees the heart and doesn't need my help in the judgment department. ;)
I'll be back!
Lyric
www.chrysalissong.blogspot.com
Arlene- It's a little sobering when you put it that way about taking a whold audience to hell with her, but I agree (and I don't think it's mean at all). What a frightening thought.
I think you are right on the mark about praying for her, and all of those in the spotlight that are leading people astray.
Our prayers are the most powerful weapon we have!
Lyric-wonderful to meet you, and thanks for that info on Dr. Phils wife- I never knew any of that. (I didn't even realize they considered themselves Christians) Again I think the key is, prayer. They have a platform, let's pray that they use it for His glory.
I wonder if anyone wanted to shout out at the same time as me when Oprah said, "what about people in remote parts of the world that never heard the name of Jesus." I just wanted to say, "OK Oprah, but what about people like you who don't live in a remote area of the world, and you HAVE heard the name of Jesus and you STILL choose to ignore the truth." I think this is why missionaries from those remote parts of the world are coming to America to evangelize a group of people who believe they are saved, and on the day of judgement are going to be very surprised.
A lot of comments were made about Oprah being a good person. She is not a good person - none of us are. The Bible says "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" And "Our righteous acts are like filthy rags." Maybe Oprah does more good deeds than many of us - I would not even doubt that she does more for the good of the world than many Christians do - sad but true. However, is it enough to get her to heaven? It will never be enough. Unfortunately, Oprah is misled as many others are (ourselves included).
Desperate times call for desperate measures - Our nation is desperate for believers to look and act like Jesus. Press into to God and let His Spirit flow through us -love this lost nation and win as many could as possible to the ONLY one who can save.
JESUS IS NOT THE ONLY WAY TO LIVE...
I have watched a segment of the famous “Oprah” talk show and my curiosity and attention was caught when some of the audience seems to have ‘cornered’ the host when they insisted that the only way to heaven is through the Lord Jesus Christ. What they are saying is ‘a’ truth.
(John 14:6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
The eloquence and the intelligence of Oprah manifested in her arguments when she said, “How about those people who have not heard of Jesus?”
Oprah was right, after all. It just happened that she does not want to enter into religious arguments with her audience; but what she is saying is reality. There are now countries, as in the past, wherein even the name of the Lord Jesus is not being heard —His gospel, not being preached. There are countless innocent people that die everyday in these places, who are not lucky enough to have a copy of the Bible or to hear the preaching of the gospel — the True Gospel. More so, there are countries infiltrated by false prophets preaching the false Christ and Jesus.
(Matthew 24:4-5, 24) And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many…
…For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Even if you have heard about Jesus, but the Jesus that was introduced to you is the false Jesus or the false Christ, and your religious leader is a false prophet, is there any chance you can go to heaven?
(Matthew 15:14) Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
(2 Corinthians 11:4) For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
(Galatians 1:8) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
It would have been better if you have not heard of Jesus than to believe in a Jesus or a Christ counterfeited by deceiving and lying religious leaders.
(2 Peter 2:21) For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
Oprah asked the audience: “If you were somewhere on the planet and you never heard the name of Jesus, yet you live with a loving heart; you live as Jesus would have had you to live; you live for the same purpose that Jesus came to the planet… you can not go to heaven, do you think?”
These are valid questions that require honest biblical answers that were ignored by the audience because of their lack of understanding of the Scriptures.
Biblically, there are those who have not heard the law, but will be justified.
(Romans 2:13-15) For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another.
There is a ‘divine instinct’ in human conscience and heart, parallel with the natural instinct that God has bestowed on our being. In occasions were a person did not have the opportunity to hear the law, but is doing the ‘things’ or the ‘essence’ of the law written by God in the heart of the human family, he will be justified or be saved; therefore can go to heaven. In fact, he may have greater chances of going to heaven than those who, after hearing the law — of Jesus, of God, and do have a copy of the Bible, but does not follow the law.
God is a God of justice, equity, unfathomable wisdom, and loving-kindness. Not so many preachers of our times know this. In fact, due to their ignorance of God’s wisdom, they have misled people to believe that only those who belong to their church will merit salvation or will go to heaven.
It is idiotic to claim that while you have not yet reached a particular country, and have not preached about Jesus, and afterwards say that only those who belong to your church or group will be saved. In the Middle East, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), most part of China, India, in Africa, and in almost all continents of the globe, the name of Jesus is not known to billions of people and yet thousands of innocent and kind-hearted people die everyday. Is there not a way for them to go to heaven? The good news is: There is!
While it is true that Jesus said that He is the way, the truth and the life; No one cometh to the Father except by Him, it is true to those who have heard the teachings of Jesus; This statement is definitely ‘a’ truth; But, to those who have not believed because they have not heard of Jesus (faith cometh from hearing). (Romans 10:17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God… Is there no way for them to go to heaven?
(1 Timothy 4:10) For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those that believe.
I want you to notice the phrase “especially of those that believe”. God, in His justice and omnipotence can save even those who were not able to believe or have not the capacity to believe. Let me give you irrefutable examples:
Babes and small children will go to heaven, although they have not the capacity to believe.
(Hebrew 5:13) For every one that useth milk is unskillfull in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
(Matthew 19:14) But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Reject the ‘limbo’ of the Catholic Church because it is non-sense and is not in the Bible.
———–
Can the mentally retarded, the physically and mentally disabled persons, the mongoloids, believe and join a church? They are mentally and spiritually incapable, but the living God can save “especially of those that believe”.
The verse in 1 Timothy 4:10 gives hope to all those innocent children who were butchered by Ramsees II (during the time of Moses), King Herod (after the birth of Christ), Hitler (during the Holocaust), and so many more innocent souls, creation of God, oppressed and neglected by human society, but is loved of the Creator.
(Exodus 4:11) And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?
Remember the living God is the Savior of all men, especially of those that believe.
The whole truth is that Jesus is the Savior, the Way (the only Way) to get into heaven for those who have heard of that good news: The Gospel; but to those who have not heard the Gospel, the good news is, God will judge with mercy, and it is His right and prerogative.
(Romans 9:15) For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
(James 2:13) For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy; yet mercy triumphs over judgment. RSV
God can exercise mercy in judgment day. This is the whole truth and nothing but the truth!
Reference: http://esoriano.wordpress.com/2007/09/27/the-truth-is-the-truth-if-it-is-the-whole-truth/
Thanks for the input Julius.
My point, as I'm sure you know, was that the Blood sacrifice made for us by our precious Savior Jesus is the only way we are redeemed and will enter heaven.
I think we both know that Oprah does not believe Jesus is the only way and has admitted that there could be other ways and not a need for a Savior such as Jesus. But that possibly the Moslems or Buddhist have the correct way also.
When most people are cornered as she was, they will pull out the - third world argument. I don't think this is really at the core of her disbelief in Jesus as the Savior of the world.
Thanks for your input, but really no need to argue this one- I think you are on the same page as our readers.
I am assuming by your blog (which I liked) that you also believe in the sacrifice needing to be made for humanity and that Jesus did die for our sins so we could be reconciled to God.
Jesus is the Savior of this world. Without Him we could not be redeemed from our sins.
I have many of the same frustrations with the modern church as you state on your blog.
May you reach MANY with the good news of the gospel!!
Post a Comment