What is Oprah's Attraction for Christian Women???

Well Hi there

I'll take a little stab at it! LOL.

I don't think she started out that way.. spiritual I mean. She started out mostly because of her status.. a black woman who had overcome against incredible odds. American women seemed to sort of "grow with her."

I am not going to speak for women who do not call themselves Christian, because we all know the answer for that... but for women who call themselves Christian.. I believe the answer lies somewhere around......they do not read their bibles! Or somehow... they have never been taught that we will *in fact* stand before the Lord Jesus and account for ourselves. It could even be that these women who follow her "religiously" are decieving themselves by thinking they are following God, when in fact they are not. Dunno the answer for sure, but it sure is a good question!

Michele

 

Then I guess you could ask why do christians watch anything on tv, is it becasue they don't read their bibles and don't know their answerable for what they do?

 

I personally know a man who is in one of the highest position in her company. He has told me that she is a great lady to work for and is very real. He speaks nothing but good about her. She treats her employees well. He has known her before she was known as a talk show host.

 

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL SATURDAY JANUARY 3, 2004
( Colossians 2:8, 1 Timothy 1:7, 1 Timothy 4:1, Ephesians 4:14 )

***This is a Devotional that I wrote some time ago, but NEEDS to be repeated. Last June, Oprah was in Tampa, Florida for her, "Live Your Best
Life Tour." Her message is that women can succeed through "spiritual" growth. The problem is, Oprah's brand of spiritual growth is NOT through Jesus Christ or the Bible, but a mixed bag of New Age concepts with a universalistic theology that "all good people will get to heaven."

Over the years, she has generated a cult following of women that I have yet to figure out. She is a role model for mothers, but has no children of her own. She "preaches" to her followers to find fulfillment outside of their
job, yet is a workaholic herself. She tells others how to have a perfect marriage, yet she isn't married herself.


Oprah, Dr. Phil, Bill O'Reilly, Tony Robbins, and MANY others. This is one of the most important Devotionals that I could write, since it is a warning for you to be very aware of the information that you receive into your life
each day. The people that I have listed all have large followings and many people are greatly influenced by what they have to say. The one common thread that runs through each of these names is that their beliefs, their thoughts, the things that they share are NOT solely based on the inspired, inerrant Word of God. Only the Bible represents Absolute Truth. It is our
final authority in all matters.

Now I realize that because of their popularity, even amongst many who read this Devotional each day, some will be outraged that I had the audacity to use them as an example. They are just that, examples for the purpose of today's Devotional, which is to help you discern what people say, no matter how good it may sound, and line it up with what God says. I will ask you to
do me one favor. Take the next 2-3 minutes, and read the 4 verses at the top that I used as the anchor verses for today's Devotional. These are VERY IMPORTANT verses and set the stage for what I want to share with you today.

Let me say that I am sure these are all fine people. I am not judging them since only God knows their heart. But it is perfectly correct for me to comment on the things that they say in public, in regard to how that lines up with God's Word. Oprah is a wonderful woman that has done many great things for people. However, she has adopted a universalistic view on life that being good is all that it takes to get to Heaven. Dr. Phil is a decent man, and much of his counsel is very sound. However, it is from a purely secular standpoint and not a Biblical one. Bill O'Reilly is a journalist, but from time to time shares his personal faith belief which again is a universalistic view of life that being a good person is all God requires. Tony Robbins mixes New Age spiritualism into his self help training that basically teaches all things are possible through ourselves.

Again, all 4 of these are no doubt wonderful, caring, loving, people. But be careful! Anyone can call themselves a Christian. Just because someone prays does not make them a Christian. Just because someone uses the "right words" does not make them a Christian. You will NEVER hear any of these people say that Jesus Christ is the only REAL answer, or that Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life. The fact is, being a "good person" will NOT get to Heaven. Ephesians 2:8,9 tells us specifically that it is NOT by works that
we are saved, but by God's grace and our faith in Christ. Why Christ? Because of sin. It was God's plan, not mine, or anyone else's, to send
Christ as the sacrifice for the sins of this world. That is why ONLY faith in Jesus Christ will save you.

The thing that we MUST be very careful of is allowing those in our popular culture to dictate how we think, how we view life itself. That can and must be shaped ONLY by the Word of God. The reason is obvious. God gave us each free will. Because of free will, we are able to formulate our own thoughts and ideas and believe whatever we want to believe. The obvious danger is that each person can then decide what is right and what is wrong. What may be right for one person, may be wrong for another. What is wrong for one
person, may be right for another. It is chaos! We are each left up to our own imaginations and there is NO absolute right or wrong.

That is one reason God gave us His Word. So that we each don't have to try and figure out what is right and what is wrong. God's Word represents
ABSOLUTE TRUTH, and is the final authority in all matters of life. Of course, people still have the freewill to decide for themselves what they
want to believe, but just because someone decides to reject God's Word, makes it no less true.

I love you and care about you so much. The main thing that I want you to take from this Devotional today is to make sure that you carefully listen to what others say, and filter it through the truth of God's Word. Especially
those that our popular culture has elevated to a certain status. This holds true when you are listening to men and women of God as well, INCLUDING WHAT I WRITE EACH DAY! Having an opinion on an issue is fine. The key however is what is that opinion based on, and is it in line with what God's Word says.

I will pray today that in the future, you will filter all that you hear and read, no matter who is saying it, through the Word of God. What a man or woman may say can be very interesting, but what God says is the absolute truth on which we can stake our very lives and eternal souls.


In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller

If I can help you in any way you can contact me through my personal email
at [email protected]


©Copyright 2004, Bill Keller Ministries. All rights reserved.

 

Oprah is attractive physically, has great television presence, and is wildly successful in worldly terms. She is also a sympathetic and funny and intelligent person.

Unfortunately, these are not the things which count with God, her Creator.

However there are an awful lot of Christians, both women and men, who have fallen for the idea that following God and being successful in the world's eyes are not contradictory. It is quite clear she doesn't know Christ, so that leaves her with doing the best SHE knows how to do. In many ways it is admirable as she seems to have a philanthropic ideal, but it will never be enough eternally.

And 'eternally' comes all too soon...

 

To answer your question, I don't know. Are Christian women attracted by Oprah?

I don’t watch Oprah very much. I watch Dr. Phil sometimes and the others name by Bill Keller, I have never watched.

I do know that her show is a clean, entertaining show and she does not use a lot of sensationalism to attrack her audiences. She apparently gives away great gifts.

But I think I know more about Oprah and Dr. Phil than I do about Bill Keller; however, I will take Bill Keller’s advice and use discernment in what other people say and especially Bill Keller as I do not know what he bases his opinions on.

I am not aware of a cult like following.

People admire her. Do they worship her?

She is very popular for what she has accomplished.

She has plenty of researchers and advisors to write her scripts.

Followers, does this mean viewers of her show?

If this is true, she probably sees it as a fault that she should correct in herself.

We don't always practice what we preach.

It is a television show to entertain others. Again, she has researchers and advisors.

As a side note here: I taught my daughter how to swim and I didn’t know how to swim.

I don’t know about her personal life, but she is a television star, producing a television show, for a wide vast audience, an audience of different religions. She has to answer to sponsors and her network about the content of her shows. Her show is not a church service.

If one questions if Oprah is a Christian, then one could question if her viewers are Christian.


I agree that we have to use discernment in what we watch, learn and live by.

In judging these people, listed by Bill Keller and Bill Keller himself, I am reminded of the verse:

Man does not see what the Lord sees, for man sees what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart. 1 Samuel 16: 7

 

I'm not debating and I'm not looking to Oprah for answers. I just gave my opinion.

 

Opps, I left out a line...I was just answering your questions in the first post, sorry if you thought I was debating!

 

I think it all boils down to listening to worldy wisdom(Dr. Phil and Oprah,etc) or God's wisdom. Which do you choose? I put no merit on these folks and their ideas,they have opinions based on their own their own experiences and such ,not biblical principles. I have much better things to do with my time.

People like Oprah because she makes them feel good...self seeking people like to feel good about their life,regardless of how sinful and bad it is. So,of course she has a following...that does not suprise me. The reason women get caught up in these kinds of shows is that they are seeking fullfillment from something or someone other than God.(even christian women are deceived by this) They like to be told how wonderful they are and to find fullfillment in self and self accomplishments.

As believers,we should devote our time to meditating on God's Word and seeking wisdom from the only Wise One.

Molly

 

God tells us how wretched and how wonderful we are in scripture. No person ever comes close to that balance. No person ever would if he could and no person ever could if he would.

As Christians we ought to be challenged at the philanthropic things Oprah does. She has had Christians on there who have given glory to God for what has happened to them. I think it is great that those who listen to her are hearing about the things God does through the mouths of believers. Even non-believers are often amazed at what God does. If I had a choice I would rather listen to her program than the heretics on TBN preaching their health-wealth gospel. You can get enough heresy in one hour to last a lifetime. If you only knew the money that came into those preachers you would be shocked!

You mentioned at how she makes people feel good. I am convinced that if the pastors in America would began to preach the commands Jesus gave and start implementing them into our churches many would be without jobs. I have seen it happen to many who have taken God seriously. When the people begin to take discipeship seriously for themselves and for the congregations and understand that the world is going to hell and desparately needs the gospel then we might have some shaking in the churches and in the world. Christianity is not a make me feel good religion nor a closet religion. It is a religion of taking Christ seriously and having the courage to take a stance in boldness.

How can we not take Christ seriously when we understand that to love people is to risk everything for the sake of the gospel. Sure many pastors might be withour jobs. But they can still have a ministry. It is not about pastoring anyway. It is about making disciples. That's what makes a pastor anyway. How many pastors do you think there were in the churches amidst communism. There were many who made disciples with out any organized church as we know it in America. Don't be surprised if that day comes in America. We are already under fire.

 

There is a difference in encouraging one's heart on forgiveness of sins and through God's Word and making people feel they are self sufficient and that purpose in life comes from self appreciation.

I've watched a few shows(I watched more often when I was younger). I have never seen anything about God's Word and His wisdom taught or deomonstrated on this show.

She probably does some very generous things,I'm not arguing that,but worldy wisdom is worldy.

TBN is terrible,no argument here!

Molly

 

I agree about taking up ones cross is not a *feel good* thing...you may have misunderstood...I was being critical of her on that.

Molly

 

I think I understood your view. I agreed with you. But I do believe that we must see people for who they are. We are not any better than they are, just better off.

I have seen Christians interviewed on her show. One was a man who works with the children of those in prison. Imagine the challenge that is and what a heart that man has. Just imagine if one of your parents were in prison and what you are faced with. I know I taught some of those children near a prison that was where the tough criminals go. I would never want to trade places with any of those.

One of the ways Oprah challenges me is the way she interviews people. A few years ago I read a few books about how to interview people and she was named. Some of the people who have been interviewed by her have expressed amazement at how she draws people out. I watched her to see how she interviewed people. I am a better witness today because of my observations.

If I am to win people to Jesus they must see a person who exhibits Jesus. They must see me as a person who cares enough to listen. My wife is very good at this. People will tell her things that they would tell no one else. That opens the door because she has listened to them first. If I am to win people I must listen to them first.

I really think the reason why so many are drawn to Oprah is because of the care she shows for the people she interviews. One of her employees that I know told me that she is a very real person. From my discussion with him she is a very credible person too. I pray for him and I pray for her.

If I expect to win people to Christ I must pray for them. I pray for her. She influences so many people. I am praying for her to become a Christian. If we expect to win people to Jesus we must pray for them and ask God to give us wisdom on what to say and not to say. If God would give us the chance to talk with her about Jesus would we know how to approach her?

As I get older I see people as those for whom Christ died and are bound for a Christless eternity. Every person I witness to I do not agree with their philosophy about life. I want to associate with people just like Jesus did and reach them for Christ.

Oprah is a person just like I once was--a person bound for hell and in need of the savior

God may open the door and I trust that I will be ready should that happen.

 

Every week we hear a preacher. What do you think about some of those who sacrifice their families and children to "do ministry." Personally I think they should be told to take a vacation and get their home in order or quit ministry. The leaders in the congregation ought to get busy and relinquish that pastor from this tyranny.

When I was not a Christian in high schol one of my friends was the son of a pastor and told me why he did not want to be a pastor when he graduated from college. What he mentioned became so real in myown life. I told myself that I would never be like that pastor to his children. I never was. But I received some criticism for it too. One of the deacons told me I should be available 24/7. I told him I would be glad to if he could help me do minstry because he had more time than I did due t his retirement. He told me that was my job.

Jesus taught about what God wanted from the beginning and He was never married. Paul did too.

Paul was not a mother either. But he taught how tohey are to raise children and conduct themselves.

Bill Gothard was never married until just a few years ago.

You don't have to burn yourself to know a fire is hot.

 

I have actually prayed for her,too. She has such a great influence,but yet does not confess Christ as her Saviour. Of course,we were all God's enemy before He revealed His Truth to us...but,that doesn't mean we can not discern what and who we watch on TV and admire...

I would much read a book by John MacArthur or John Piper,than a bestselling book by Oprah...it has to do with more of the Bible in my life and understanding God's ways or choosing to listen to wordly wisdom. I respect the men who have studied God's Word to teach us and who believe in the absolutes of scripture,these are the kinds of books and such I want to fill my life with.

Molly

 

As I have said before, I don't watch Oprah very much and I am certainly not defending her, but as many of you know, even though I know that many people are going to hell, I have difficulty saying that any particular person is going to hell because I do not know.

I do not know their hearts. Only God knows.

It is our duty as Christians to witness and pray.

I agree that we should not waste our time listening or following a person who teaches against God and his Holy Word.

 

I wonder what the people on our favorite tv shows or movies beleive? What about the people you do business with everyday? Do oyu read the newspaper or watch the news? What do those people believe, becasue I promise you what they believe does and will show up in what they write. Eliminate everyone who beleives something different, and you won't have much left. There a difference between having to live in the world(and living our lives in a biblically based way) and not being like the world we live in living they way they do believeing what they do.
I wonder just how many christian women are getting their theology from Oprah and ignoring the bible, how many turn their back on God for Oprah's beliefs? You can watch Oprah and not worship her or live by her standards, just like you do when you watch the evening news. I would rather judge todays topic, is it safe for me as a christian or not. By which I mean the topics talk shows usuaully do are not christian safe, Oprah does not do those types of shows. I personally do not watch Oprah unless I see a commercial for a topic of interest, last time was early December when they did a show on major weight loss and showed people before and after and showed one woman who had so much weight loss she had to ahve body conturing surgery to get rid of the excess skin she was left with.
Does that mean I worship Oprah? Or that I now beleive her angel theolegy(saw that years ago) or that I beleive it's ok for unmarried people to live together?
Nope, not likely.