America's New (Age) Theologian

Who is currently the most influential theologian in the United States?

No, not Billy Graham, John Piper, or Rick Warren. What would you say if I told you that person is Oprah Winfrey? No way! She is a television and radio talk show host! Yes, but she is also the spiritual guide for countless people across America. If Oprah recommends a book on spirituality, people read it (and believe it). If she gives spiritual advice, people take it. Due to her popularity and platform, I can think of no one person at this moment who has more spiritual influence on American people than Oprah Winfrey.

This would not be a problem if Oprah advocated a Christian worldview. But Oprah embraces New Age beliefs which are starkly at odds with biblical teaching. Her recent endorsement of the patently New Age book The Secret and her latest offering on her XM radio show of A Course on Miracles taught by New Age author Marianne Williamson, betrays Oprah’s New Age advocacy. In a year when the founder of Transcendental Meditation (TM), Maharishi Mahesh Yogi died, Oprah continues to promote his worldview of pantheistic monism.

What is pantheistic monism? Pantheism is the view that all of reality is god. The god of pantheism is not a personal being, but an impersonal force. Monism is the view that all reality is singular, or that it is one. Any perceived distinctions we are aware of are illusions. So, all is one and all is god. Of course it follows from this view that you are god, I am god, everything is god. It also means that in reality we are not individuals but are one with everything. On this view, the human problem is not sin but rather that we are not in tune with our divinity and our oneness with everything. By obtaining inner enlightenment through meditative practices such as TM, Yoga, mantras, or A Course in Miracles, we can achieve a higher consciousness where we again reconnect with our divine nature and oneness with everything. All our problems in life will then be solved as we achieve peace and harmony with the “One.”

While this may sound nice, it is all a lie. More importantly, it is contrary to the truth-claims of Christian scripture. The Bible affirms a personal God who is distinct from His creation and yet desires an intimate relationship with the people He created. Humans are image-bearers of God but are not (nor ever will be) God themselves. The problem is that humans rebelled against God, wanting to be their own gods themselves. This rebellion resulted in a severed relationship with God and brought sin, evil, death and destruction into the world. Incapable of solving their problem, humans needed a solution from God. Still desiring a relationship with his image-bearers, God took on human flesh in the person of Jesus. Jesus’ death and resurrection provided forgiveness of sins and a renewal of life for those who repent of their fallen condition and place their confidence in Him as Lord and Savior. The differences between the Christian worldview found in the Bible and the worldview of pantheism advocated by Oprah can hardly be exaggerated. One cannot affirm both views - they both cannot be true.

Why be mean to Oprah? She has helped and inspired so many people. Well, it is not a matter of being mean. It is a matter of standing for truth, exposing error, and being concerned for people who are led astray by this false teaching.  I am alarmed at how many self-identified Christians believe Oprah is a wonderful Christian and see nothing wrong with the views she promotes. Followers of Jesus do not believe the worldview Oprah embraces and recommends. While being a Christian is more than merely holding particular beliefs, it is no less than holding true beliefs about God, His world, human beings, the human problem, and salvation. It is precisely these beliefs Oprah does not hold.

I am not recommending boycotting Oprah’s shows (although there are myriad uses of one’s time more valuable). I do recommend two actions. First, be aware of the lies of the worldview Oprah promotes, don’t believe them, and warn others about them. Second, join me in praying for Oprah that she will repent of her false beliefs, embrace a true understanding of God and His salvation, and enter into a relationship with God by placing her confidence in the person and work of Jesus. How wonderful it would be if America’s leading theologian promoted the truth about God, Jesus, the Bible and Salvation! Imagine the impact. Better yet, how wonderful it would be for Oprah herself to enjoy forgiveness of sins and an eternal, intimate relationship with God! And, best of all, how wonderful it would be for God if His glory is once again magnificently demonstrated by His redeeming of yet another person!