I kn
ow this isn’t exactly breaking news – you might have seen this video before, but I thought it worth discussing… Eckhart Tolle’s book A New Earth has sold well over 3 million copies, has been on top of the New York Times best seller list for weeks, and has 2 million people tuning in to an interactive webinar (an online seminar) that is a 10 week seminar from Oprah’s website. Tolle uses Scripture to draw his theories, which is how he appeals to mainline Christians. It is obviously twisted. I haven’t read the book, but am considering it, as I’d like to become conversant with the cult that it is creating to be able to minister better and have answer to the differences. Critics say the book “tastes like the warmed leftovers of modernism, humanism, and the New Ageism of the ’80s, with hints of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity.” This is on people’s minds – it may be the new topic for discussion at the coffee houses and universities… Do you think the church has the responsibility to address this issue? Do you wonder if any of the 3 million readers attend our fellowship?
While listening to this I did find 1 point I could agree with and therefore present as a question to us (I expect none to see as I see, nor do I hold any of the commentators of this video in much regard): Is church as we know it the way it should be? How do we know that this form of worship/gospel-presentation is the most effective for ultimate spiritual growth?
Oprah, as intelectually potent she thinks she is, displays an incredible amount of ignorance–”search for more than docterine”, “Jesus didn’t come to start christianit”?
And this Tolle guy, “if you go deep enough into your own religeon (regardless the religeon), we all get to the same place”?
Is church as we know it the way it should be? How do we know that this form of worship/gospel-presentation is the most effective for ultimate spiritual growth?
Hey John, to be clear – are you asking about the order and style of a church service? That sounds like a big topic all it’s own…
And I agree with you about Oprah – the most worrisome part for me is toward the end where she says with proud arrogance that she’s a Christian who believes there are many ways… and then she says there can’t be one way with 6 billion people on Earth.
She has major influence on so many people – all over the world. People love her. People go into frenzy when she is near… and she’s become a leading face for good works and humanitarianism. She’s done a better job at those things that Christians have. And now she’s a preacher of a false gospel seeking converts – and proselytizing frustrated Christians. We need to be on our knees.
As to how we do church, perhaps the order or form of the worship/gospel presentation may change to allow for the most effective spiritual growth. I do not believe that any church does church the same way the apostles did church. Nor do we do the same as they did 1,000 years ago or even 150 years ago. So perhaps the form of the worship/gospel presentation may change, but the content and message can never change, and that content and message is the cross.
We read in Gal.6:14 “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…” Also Phillip.3:17-18 “Brethren, jion in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.”
Opra and her friend are enemies of the cross of Christ causing people to believe that the cross is not necessary. They want people to believe that if you are smart enough and spiritual enough you’ll figure it out and get there OK, you don’t need the cross to get to God.
I believe as you said Rande, we need to be on our knees and as Paul said in Phillip. 3:17 be an example of always pointing people to the cross and encourage people to follow our example. Though the form of how we do this may change, the message does not.
Oops. I do not condone the message of the video. I quetion OUR worship/gospel presentation!
I’ve been reading the book of James and the end of chapter 1 describes, “Pure and undefiled religeon…”, then, transitioning into chapter 2 we read in verse 2 “…assembly…”. Hmm?
For the record (be warned, I’m being facetious – maybe): I’m quite “comfortable” with the way church is conducted – perhaps everyone else is too. I wonder why so many “…are turning…to a different gospel,…” (Gal. 1:6). Could it be that…?
The lady that appeared in the inset of the video, grew up Catholic, married Catholic and is/was raising her children in the same faith, was considering what was being propagandized but didn’t seem convinced. However, there are many who are looking for a way contrary to judgement – around the Cross – and this is what is likely the crux of all this.
If I can be honest, I’ll tell you that the fact that there is only one way bugs me to no end. If I made the rules, I might have made them like Oprah’s rules.
But, I don’t get to make that call.
There are alot of people who feel that ‘one way’ is unfair, small minded, and old fashioned. Even Christians. We’d be more accepted in our culture and society if we could just accept that there are other paths that lead to the same destination – many sides to the same mountain, and it doesn’t matter which side you climb…
And Tolle has just written a book that appeals to them – it uses a lot of scripture, and Oprah makes no bones about being a “Christian” who believes in many ways… Again – if you’re a frustrated Christian, if your fed up with church, if you’ve been mocked for being less intelligent because of your closed-minded beliefs – whatever – here’s the solution. Buy this book. You can have the best of all worlds.
Mark 8:35-37 (The Message):
Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?
And the scripture you mentioned John, from James 1 – real and true religion is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.
Amen! Rande
Richard Abanes just wrote a book, Paradise Still Lost in A New Earth, countering the claims of Tolles book.
Richard Abanes just wrote a book, Paradise Still Lost in A New Earth, countering the claims of Tolles book.
Er, that would be “A New Earth, An Old Deception” (see SPECIAL WEB PAGE or go to MAIN HOME PAGE.
R.A.