Should Christians watch Oprah?
Friends, I’m having a hard time with a definite answer with this, and you know me, I’m always ready with a Yes or No. I thought I had my answer, wrote up my post to publish yesterday, then I started thinking of the people, the Christians, who may take what they read here and run with it, rather than google God*.
Whoa. That’s a sobering thought, A weighty responsibility for a mommyblogger.
So what to do? How to answer the question? Here’s what I’m thinking regarding Oprah and the Christian. We can discuss in the comments. Please understand: I’m not a theologian. I’m just a Christ follower with high speed Internet, so take this free advice for what it is – my best attempt to answer the question and to help the seeker.
Opinion 1: Christians have no business watching The Oprah Winfrey Show because she doesn’t promote the Bible as Truth.
Based on what I know about her program, I think it’s fair to say she’s not a follower of Christ. So why would a believer want to learn anything from her or expose herself to false teachings? Even watching the episodes about harmless topics like beauty and fashion is not okay because it raises the show’s ratings.
Christian, don’t watch The Oprah Winfrey Show; it will only lead you away from God.
Opinion 2: Christians can watch The Oprah Winfrey Show as long as they don’t depend on it for their spiritual guidance.
This is what I did years ago, before I had young ears in the house, and I needed a distraction while folding laundry. Today, I’d want to watch Oprah to see what she’s talking about, who the guests are, or what she’s into just for the purpose of knowing what she’s preaching. For example, I’d like to see the show with Elizabeth Gilbert as a guest, because I frequently write about her book, Eat, Pray, Love.
My regular readers know the way I think. I like to talk when I’m in a chatty mood (read: everyday!), I’ll talk to anyone, anywhere. I’m not shy. So when I say watching Oprah is okay, these are the situations I’m imaging taking place. Oprah as a cultural point of reference between two strangers.
Read this next part twice, it’s important
I admit – Opinion 2 is tricky territory, especially for the newbie Christian. Oprah is slick. She’s a good talker and even has a measure of truth mixed in with all the nonsense, so to watch Oprah means you better know your Bible well. I can understand why some Christians can be deceived.
Of course, if the Lord tells you otherwise, then you better heed His will. A check in your spirit that screams “NO!” when you tune in to her show might be a big clue that the Lord disapproves.
To the Christian Oprah fan
Friend and fellow believer, I pray what I have written here was of help to you. I know it’s helped me to formulate my answer as to what I believe regarding one of America’s most popular television personalities. There is a lot about Oprah I disagree with, but even so, we are called to love her. I do not hate Oprah. I wish her well. How wonderful it would be if she were to give her life to Christ! What a tremendous testimony she would have!
I’ve given a lot of thought to your question, “Should Christians watch Oprah?” I answered it because you asked via a Google search engine, leading you to this blog. Believer, in all honestly, I, nor the Internet, has the answer that will satisfy. Only submitting yourself to the Lord and His Word will give you peace. Please, go to Him in prayer. Read his Word.
Digging deeper into the question regarding Oprah and the Christian, it’s logical to ask, “Is watching Oprah a sin?” I think that’s the true spirit behind your question.
“Is watching the Oprah Winfrey Show a sin?”
He Who Loves Us replies -
… whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthly – think about such things.
In love and humility,
Monica
____
* Google God. I like that – search the Scriptures and pray for an answer. Clever me.
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Amen! Thank you, Monica. That verse at the end says it all.
Michelles last blog post..Flattery: The Ultimate Bait and Hook
Good Response
Especially Heathers last blog post..Stop Praying..
How ironic that this would occur on the day we’re talking about Oprah, but in case anyone’s interested, Ted Haggard (the Pastor who fell into homosexuality a few years ago) and his wife, Gayle, will be on to discuss his journey to freedom.
Michelles last blog post..Flattery: The Ultimate Bait and Hook
No kidding. Interesting, Michelle, thanks for letting us know.
… whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthly – think about such things…
Pretty much means I cant watch anything on TV
Super job!!!
I too love the Google God comment.
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I watched Oprah today and her and Ted Haggard’s wife had a little bit of a philosophical debate about whether you choose homosexual behavior or not. It was good to hear someone on national TV giving a Christian perspective, even if it wasn’t Oprah herself.
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Brave post, Monica!
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I struggle with Christians who insist on dichotomistic views of life. Paul very clearly preached that Christ came to give us freedom: freedom from sin AND from the Law! When we look for answers to questions like this we’re begging to place ourselves back under the Law. We’re pleading to have someone just tell us what to do. In essence, we’re rejecting the grace God gives us by requesting regulation instead of freedom.
I don’t mean to get all heady here, but there is no answer to this question — which is kind of the answer you gave. Our job as Christians is to love God. That’s it! Now that job encompasses many things (if we love Him, we’ll trust Him, obey Him, tell others about Him, etc.), but the only yes or no question before us is this: Do we love God? Really love Him? That’s all that matters. The rest is just details, personal details between us and the One we love.
Personally, I don’t watch Oprah, but I don’t see it as a spiritual issue. I do watch other stuff on TV and I read a number of mainstream books, some of which have questionable content. My judgement doesn’t come from whether or not I do those things, but of why I’m doing those things. Only I and God know the answer to that, just like only He and you (Oprah watchers) know the motives behind watching Oprah.
And that’s my two cents.
Tanya Denniss last blog post..Teach me more!
Messing with Oprah, huh? You better duck!
I agree with your scripture in your post, but Tanya’s point is true in my case. I don’t watch Oprah, but I probably DO watch TV and movies that would offend other Christians (not to mention my books). So, yes, it must be between the Believer and God. I think that we are all sensitive to different areas of temptation or weakness in our thoughts, but we could also probably ALL eliminate more than we choose to.
Good thoughts.
Like I said, SOMEONE asked, so I answered. When I write these types of posts it’s usually because I’m reacting to a comment or question. (See most of what I’ve written about Eat, Pray, Love.)
Personally, I think Grace is abused. (Not calling you out, Tonya. Just the Church in general.)
Maybe if we did have people telling us a definite NO in the gray areas then perhaps we’d walk more closely with the Lord.
Iron sharpens iron,
m
I agree with your post. I personally don’t watch Opra becasue I usually get mad or even sick to my gut. I have problems with people who think so highly of themselves, and all the stuff she spews as truth… Just don’t get me started.
I agree that her show is a slippery slope for new believers. And I agree that it doesn’t hurt for a rock solid believer to keep up with what is going on in this crazy world. We need to know what the enemy is up to. So yes, we should all listen to the Holy Spirit before turning on the boob tube.
And, I agree that grace is often abused. We are to live holy lives because He is Holy. Paul addressed it when he asked something like– Are we to keep sinning so grace can increase? MAY IT NEVER BE!
In Oprah’s defense, she is a very generous lady with a heart for helping others.
well, i just don’t know. how’s that for a comment!?
i don’t watch it. i stopped watching it a long time ago and it wasn’t due to her belief system…it was because most of the things on her program are not child-appropriate, so i couldn’t have it on with my kids around. now, i have stopped watching programs because the ideals and beliefs in the shows did not glorify God, in my opinion.
I think you need to be a VERY strong person DEEP in your faith in order to watch her airy fairy crap and not get caught up in it.
I only watch very few select episodes of her shows that have nothing to do with her weirdo beliefs. And that means I don’t watch often because she has been managing to weave her weirdo stuff into more and more episodes.
:–) Nell
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