This posting is not, I repeat, is not a rail against a pimp or a pimpette. Oprah Winfrey has nothing but my admiration with respect to capitalist accomplishments. Remember, I am a stone capitalist and I see nothing wrong with making money in exchange for a product offered. In Oprah’s case, she offers entertainment. And she is a brilliant entrepreneur. So whatever you walk away from the posting with, it should not be that I am upset because Oprah is rich, filthy rich, really, really, I-can’t-even-imagine-what-it’s-like rich.
If you’ve been to the site recently, you have probably had a chance to take a look at a clip from the Oprah show and see what Ms. Winfrey thinks of Jesus Christ. If not, take a look here. The clip is about two minutes long.
As you can see, she has a very low opinion of the Creator of the Universe. According to her, He is simply one of millions of equally valid ideas and ways to God, however you may envision him, her, or it. How many knowledgeable Christians are going to say Jesus showed up and showed out (1:27 in the next video)?
Certainly I don’t blame Oprah for her blindness. She can’t help it. She is, theologically speaking, a high paid Bubba (click here) (2 Cor 4:3,4). No amount of money, sophistication, or accomplishment will help a person see past the spiritual blindness all unbelievers suffer.
Just a while back, Oprah was doing her Legends thing and religious emotionalism reared its ugly head at the gathering. It was really sad to watch.
All the biggies were there: Pastor Shirley Ceasar, Dionne Warwick, Chaka Khan, and Pattie (Voulez-vous coucher) Labelle - sans her back-up team of lingerie-clad hotties. Oh, and did I mention Gladys Knight was there too?
Now let’s think about this. Gladys Knight was there. You may remember that Gladys Knight IS A MORMON! Here, let make it a little clearer for you. Mormons not only deny the deity of Jesus Christ, they worship their god Adam. She was busy singing songs and getting carried away with the moment.
Interestingly enough, Patti LaBelle was really getting down on the song “Changed” which apparently speaks of my life being changed through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
My problem with this event? Here is a list of spots on the clip. As you listen to each segment, ask yourself if these people are getting the truth or being lulled into a stupor resulting in what will probably be an eternal separation from God?
1. Time 4:14 Diane Sawyer
2. Time 4:23-30 Alicia Keyes
3. Time 4:38 , 44 Janet Jackson (Yes, that Janet Jackson)
4. Time 5:03 , 19 Alicia Keyes
These people are being lied to. They are being encouraged to allow an experience to determine their “truth” about God. It seemed more about emotion than about the pursuit of the truth, more about performing than about following Jesus Christ. And Oprah, who has the ear of the world, for all intents and purposes, is at the head of the crowd, pandering to emotionalism and feeding the world lies about God, Jesus Christ, and Christianity. And the supposed superstars of the Gospel circuit were helping them go down that road. I would suggest that the Gospel, being rightly presented doesn’t make people feel good. Rather it makes them fall on their faces in shame and humility.
Of course I understand that if Oprah spoke the truth she would not be one of the world’s richest and most powerful women. But it’s still fun to think that someone as powerful as her might speak the truth instead of saying the same thing every one else says. Oh well. Pray for her. Pray for Diane Sawyer. And yes, pray for Janet Jackson and her wardrobe.
That is a lie straight from the pit of hell. For Oprah to first off, say that Jesus is one of a many ways to get to heaven is a lie straight from the devil’s mouth himself. In the bible Jesus says “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes unto the father, except through me. As I sit here and I look at this clip and I see all these singers singing and showing out like they are doing something it is a straight and utter lie.
I will tell you how it is a lie. They don’t have the Holy Ghost in them what they have is emotion. It is the emotion that has gotten to them, is the reason why they are singing. First off when you are a born again Christian, you are made new…..you are not made of the world but you are passing through the world. So for Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar and all them to take part in the singing, lets you know how bad the church has fallen, because people like Yolanda Adams feel like they have to go back in the world to have their music accepted. Yolanda Adams performing with Kanye West at the BET awards. That was sad.
How dare Oprah have the audacity to say that Jesus is only one of a many ways to get to heaven. That lady was right Jesus is the only way. For Patti Labelle to even grab the mike and talk like she is saved. You see the problem with the church is it has become too complacent. It has gone away from the teachings of what is sinful to God and what is not sinful to God. Preachers today try to interpret their own meaning of what God means. God knew what he meant when he said don’t be like the world. And it has happened. The church is trying to become like the world.
Church’s are so busy teaching about prosperity and how to get your blessing from God, what church’s need to be talking about is what God wants from his flock. The church has gotten away from teaching about Hellfire, and Brimstone, because they don’t want to step on anybody’s toes. They don’t want to offend anybody. Let me tell you something if Jesus cared about who he offended he wouldn’t have thrown the people out of God’s temple when they were setting up shop in his house. If Jesus was worried about who he offended he wouldn’t of proclaimed himself the “King of Kings” and “Lord of Lords.”
Another problem with the church is that it has gotten too sanctified. The church has gotten too good for its own good. We are more worried about getting our blessing instead of being a blessing to somebody else. These preachers who are coming up in the church today, some of them are losing their vision. Satan has twisted the church to where we no longer say no more, we allow rap in the church, homosexuality is allowed in the church, we have holy-hiphoppers and people who think that if you put a sticker on the back of your car or if you wear a cross that makes you saved.
Your not saved by your works, but you’re saved by your faith. We need to realize where we came from, and who instituted the idea and the principles of the church. God is looking down on us and he is not impressed with their singing. He could care about Patti Labelle stomping her foot or them raising their hands. God is looking at our inside. He is looking at our heart. Maybe that’s where we need to check first.
Good Morning Bobby: Sorry to say, but your comments on “the Church” should NOT be attributed to the TRUE worshipers (John 4:23). Your comments definitely identify false words, false prophets, false witnesses, false Christs, false apostles, false brethren, and false wonders. These are characteristics of the antichrist whose spirit was first identified as already having arisen when John first wrote. The spirit of antichrist is NOT one who opposes Jesus Christ; this would be to-o-o obvious. The Bible says these would rise up “from among you,” meaning us–His Body! Antichrist is a subtle substitute, one who is already presented “in place of” the Truth. This cloak is worn by all of the people you mentioned, and then some. Jesus answered this dilemma in Matthew 24:3-5: “What will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and mislead many.” NOTICE: He was speaking to His disciples, the TRUE Worshipers. Further, Paul spoke of the signs of a TRUE apostle in 2 Corinthians 12:12. Peter spoke of the TRUE knowledge of God and our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:3 & 8). So brother, don’t fret because of evil doers, and let us not throw out the baby with the bath water. God’s angels will separate the wheat from the tares at the apointed time. In the meantime, we are to be imitators of Jesus in using the two-edged sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, as we continue to say “It is written…” to the naysayers, yes, the great pretenders! The LORD is still building His Church even as Caiaphas the high priest unwittingly spoke in John 11:51-52: “Now this he did not say on his own initiative; but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but that He might ALSO GATHER TOGETHER INTO ONE THE CHILDREN OF GOD WHO ARE SCATTERED ABROAD. Please note the present tense, “are scattered,” not “were” scattered. We, the TRUE Church may appear to those outside the fold to be scattered, but God has known from eternity past exactly where each one of us is. HALLELUJAH!
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13). Your Sister in Him, Beryle
I understand your view to spreading the gospel of Christ Jesus, but do you understand Roman 3:23 with your whole heart? I never demonstrated love until the Holy Ghost filled me with his presence, his own Love, his own clear teaching of the Holy Bible, and that is not to condemn the world but allow Him, the Holy Ghost to use me to spread the life changing salvation offer by Christ Jesus to this lost world. For it is written: There is none righteous. no, not one. Romans 3:10. Have a bless life in Christ Jesus.
P.S. pray and Watch…… Thus saith the Lord of Hosts….
It breaks my heart to see people so lost. I often wondered why I was never an Oprah fan, and realized 10 years ago that we don’t have the same values. A red flag for me was to see women idolize her, her ideas, and her material wealth. She’s not a tool for good…
Speaking of Yolonda Adams, did anyone see her performance on the BET Awards Tuesday night. I was scrolling the channels when I saw the tribute they did for Chaka Khan. Yolonda sung “Sweet Thing”. The last time I remember the lyrics to that song goes like this:
I will love you anyway
even if you can not stay
I think you are the one for me
here is where you want to be
I just want to satisfy ‘ya
you’re not mine and I can’t deny it
don’t you hear me talkin’ baby
love me now or I’ll go crazy
(Chorus)
Whoa, Sweet thang
don’t ‘ya know you’re my everythang
Whoa, Sweet thang
don’t ‘ya know you’re my everythang
Yes you are
Now I grew up in the 70s and Rufus was the thing back then, when I was in the world. If you know anything about that song it was a song about a cheating relationship. Not a good song to sing for Yolonda since she’s suppose to be save sanctified.
Does anybody think I’m wrong?
NCW do you not think that it was wrong for Yolanda to be part of this entire celebration in the first place? I personally being a Chrisitian. would not want to be part of a secular celebration knowing the type of people that are there. However, what is interesting, Prince, a Jevohah Witness was part of this song as well.
“I personally being a Chrisitian. would not want to be part of a secular celebration knowing the type of people that are there.”
Is this the case for a “celebration” such as the one stated above or are there other “celebrations” that you, as a Christian, would not participate? For example, would you not attend a birthday or graduation party if they were playing some form of music other than gospel in the background? I’m just trying to follow and understand your comment…
There is a big difference between a birthday party and performing in a secular environment–an environment that award artists for music and videos that are distasteful and degrading. Nevertheless, I would not go to a birthday party or a graduation party that is being held in a club or I know that music would not be pleasant. There is nothing pleasant about “It’s hard to be a pimp.”
Yolanda Adams is a Minister, why would she want to sing a song on adultery? Is this not against Jesus preaching? How is she ministering to the secular world if she is conformed to and accepting their environment?
I could be wrong on this, Denise Williams and Shirley Murdurk both secular singers turned gospel–I have not yet seen them at an event such as this.
“There is a big difference between a birthday party and performing in a secular environment”
- Which is why I was asking the question…So there are some things that are “exceptions?” Then what is pleasant music? I understand you not wanting to hear “pimp music,” but what would you consider pleasant? Is all music other than gospel unpleasant? Is gospel sung by artists who you question their spiritual, theological beliefs “unpleasant?” These are more rhetorical questions than anything else….
(MN: But I think they are also perfectly valid questions one should consider in building their standards and general walk. )
I watched the video before reading all of the comments. I’m glad I did. I consider what occured to be a Matthew Party. It is where you, in your area of influence, invite your peers over and have them ministered to. Now, Janet Jackson was there. If anyone really needs Jesus it is her. She was hopefully ministered to. If you listened to the words that some of the singers said, they mentioned being changed by Jesus Christ (if I’m not mistaken. At least that is what I was thinking of while listening). They mentioned He changed my life. Hopefully those who do not know “Him” will ask who is “He?”
People, please listen and formulate your own opinions before jumping on the bandwagon. If I were rich and famous and an athlete, and were to throw a party many would come. If I were having a bible study no one would come. If you have a party and with the sole purpose of ministering to your peers after having a fun filled day of playing tennis, eating, etc., you will have more of a turnout. Invite your neighbors over for a cookout and then witness to them. I dare you! I am in no way praising Oprah, but when was the last time you ministered to a large group of people?
Hey truthteller, if that approach worked then we can praise God for it. However after an emotional experience like that people would then need to have one on one counseling, a need of repentance, join a good bible teaching church and then get in a small group.
In Janet’s case I pray that you’re right. We will see how things turn out with her six month to a year later down the line.
NCW, I thought I was totally alone on my viewpoint of Yolanda, but I’m glad I wasn’t. Why was she there? She is seemingly trying all genres of music to see where her niche is ($).
She has neglected the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT to minister to these famous folks that could give a hill of beans about JESUS, to the point where the anointing and the glory of GOD has departed from her music. All she is now is a clanging cymbal to me. And I loved her music dearly. I still do.
I pray she repents and turns from these people. The only way that people recieve the Spirit of salvation is that they first see it operating in you. If you’re singing “Sweet Thang”, you look and sound just as worldly as I do.
Pray for those stars and minister the LORD’s WAY to them, but don’t be so quick to jump up abnd join them in song. Now, that and two cents will get you a half a cup of java at Starbuck’s…
I had no intention of watching the Oprah event. Anything that has a spiritual connotation and Oprah attatched to it should be avoided completely. The woman has no chance of seeing heaven. She is caught so far up in her money and “New Age philosophical, dialectical, everyone-is-going-to-Heaven because Oprah says” way, it makes me sick.
It makes me sick when I see believers watching her show and justifying it. It makes me sick that the people at her event are all hellbound, and the so-called gospel singers are hellbound hypocrites.
I do not agree that Oprah got these people together to spread the gospel. Actually, just thinking about it, she probably was led by Satan to have the performance there, everyone having ’such a good time’ and as we saw, getting psychologically dooped. …And she didnt use Vaseline… Just think about what the people said.
‘They will never have another experience like this ever again’, ‘Never had an experience like this’, ‘Most spiritual moment in life’, you get the picture. They are really saying that they won’t experience “god” like this without Oprah.
Idol anyone?
Something else that caught my eye on one of the blogs was the mention of “rap” invading the church. I see no problem with it. Why would I? You didnt see any christian rappers at Oprahs event “rapping praise” to a false god did you? But you saw all your ‘favorite’ gospel singers making a fool of themselves.
There are more theologically based, Master’s in seminary trained hip hoppers in the church than there are so called ‘pastors’. Just because you like to listen to comtemporary and gospel, doesn’t mean the next generation should. And I do believe that at one time, your music was refused at the church as well…
One word folks: Legalism.
Let me ask you something, how can you mix something that begin as secular and take it to the church. You say you have no problem with it. Okay so you might as well say that it is okay to bring in worldy ideas to bring in people for Christ. It doesn’t matter wha you think. You see no problem with it…but the question here is what does God think. You can’t mix worldy and Godly it doesn’t flow together well. Get the principle. Your taking an idea that begin as worldy and trying to conform it to the church. You can’t do that.
But isn’t that what early gospel artist did concerning their music? I’m not talking about these newer people, but rather the founding fathers and mothers of gospel…Didn’t they first take African drum beats and develop Negro spirituals/plantation music….And didn’t others take R&B and blues and create some of the most stirring gospel songs of the old school era? Just asking….Understanding that this may not be exactly (and all) that you are referring to, I think it is a valid example…
How can I take something that was formed in the world, and bring it to the church? I’ll answer you: grace. We all were in the world at one point, sinning, doing things ungodly, but then we became saved. God made us holy.
You might as well say that chairs are ungodly because of the ungodly people who sit in them everyday. That soccer is ungodly because it was originally a game using severed heads. That the internet is ungodly because of the pornography it displays.
A medium, in and of itself, cannot be ungodly. Hip hop is a type of music. The people who use it can have it glorify Christ, or glorify man, as you are so eagerly focused on. Singing in that case can also be used for or against God. Not everyone who can sing, sings for God, as displayed with Yolanda Adams.
There are plenty ideas grafted into the church that were originally in the world. Its your presuppositions against something that clouds your judgement about it and rejects it.
A few random thoughts on Oprah,
I knew she was a fake years ago when I saw her reaction when Donnie sang “stand”. She is a Christian when she needs to be, and a pagan when she needs to be…
Truthteller,
James 4:1 ” ..friendship with the World is enmity with God”. Don’t lose focus on the fact that you can’t win the Lost by being like the lost. There can’t possibly be any souls won in a place where the true gospel isn’t being preached/taught/witnessed. (unless you believe that preaching is pointless..but that was another argument..) The last time I checked, an enemy of God, cannot be a witnees to the lost…
I like the way Oprah thinks she is the “ambassador” to all those hoity toity “white folks” that were in attendance, like Mrs. Terminator. I didn’t appreciate the way she stereotyped us.
NCW,
my version of “Sweet Thang” in the 80’s was by an obscure rapper named Kwame, who also dubbed himself “the Boy Genius.” It was even nastier.He wore Polka Dots all the time. When I came back from the mall in my Polka Dot gear, my grandma laughed at me so hard, I never wore it again….
Is that the DEXTER, in a flash at 3:52?????
(MN: I think it’s probably her husband, Courtney Vance)
Maybe fake. If she is unsaved, she just about can’t help herself. Remember, religionists have no problem with mixing what they know of the truth with lies. In fact, they can’t help but do that.
Oprah may rally believe what she says. If she does, then to her, the event at her house was a wonderful affair where people got to experience God.
Let’s assume Oprah did gather those people so they could “experience God” (worship). She still failed miserably because the focus never was on God. Their focus was directed towards the fact that all of those old-school singers were performing in the same venue at the same time before their very eyes.
Look at Usher and Mariah Carey, etc. They were all amazed at the performers, not at the work of our Redeemer (As mentioned by Czarina, “idol anyone?”). I mean, when was the last time you heard Dionne Warwick sing? Gladys Knight the Mormon experiencing God but denying the deity of Christ? How about Tina Turner the Buddhist in the audience? And certainly “Pastor” Shirley Caesar doesn’t get a pass either, I don’t care how many gospel albums she’s put out. What a joke. . .
Furthermore, all the singers who did grab the mike were concentrating on outsinging, outrunning or outperforming each other rather than focusing on lifting up praise and exalting God. Hard to see how God gets the glory out of that. . .
Ecumenical mass of deception!!!!!!
Simply pitiful. I was disgusted.
Would Jesus perform in this mess? We are to preach the gospel to everyone. The true gospel of Jesus Christ isnt popular. This is the kicker either you are hot or cold if you are lukewarm Jesus said i will spew you out of my mouth.
Again we see another case of people looking outside of themselves for the Kingdom, when Jesus clearly stated that “the kingdom of heaven is within”…Only through Christ, Jesus is their an awakening out of the sleep of ignorance…But let us not be guilty of condemning any of our brothers and sisters be it Oprah, Patti, Yolanda, or whomever.
We now live in the age of technology and Everything is Entertainment/Media/Communications driven…Everything. It is the fastest most powerful way to get and keep people’ attention. I can only speak for myself when I say that I am absolutely surrendered to God and for me Jesus Christ Is the Truth, Way, and the Life Here Now and For All Eternity. But and this is a Big Big But, this is Only True For Me If I am Loving Him by Keeping His Commandments His Commandments Are Divine Pure Perfect Unconditional Eternal Immortal Love For God and For My Neighbor As My Self…Everyone Is My Neighbor…If I AM Truly following the instructions of Jesus Christ NO ONE CAN BE OMITTED. I AM TO PRAY FOR MY ENEMIES. I AM TO FORGIVE 70×7 AND I AM TO PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. I AM TO SEE ALL MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS AS GOD SEES THEM THROUGH THE EYES OF CHRIST. What did Jesus say to the adulterous woman, “Neither do I condemn thee…go and sin no more.” What did Jesus say to those condemning her, “He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone.” What did Jesus say on the cross, “Father Forgive Them For They Know Not What They Do.” They know not what they do.
Who amongst us is completely without sin right now…Let that one holier than thou filled with spiritual pride…so so so proud of all his spiritual accomplishments cast the first stone. We cannot not go around judging, criticizing, condemning, and thinking we are higher and better just because we may study the word more, live the word more, let the word live more in us, and operate closer to the truth of Christ, Jesus than others. It is God’s Law that we Love One Another. We are bounded by God’s Law…Let’s Never Find Ourselves Guilty of Violating God’s Law For We Are Certainly Being Held to A Much Higher Standard Than Oprah No Matter How Much Money and Fame She Has…We Sow to the Spirit Not to the Flesh. As Christ, Jesus would direct us to do We Are To Forgive the Flesh And Pray That The Light Of Christ Shines Through the Hearts and Minds of Everyone On Earth As It Is In Heaven…Amen.
But I think you miss an important issue here. Based on what Oprah said about Jesus Christ, she is not a sister of mine. She is not a Christian. I’ll give Yolanda the benefit of the doubt and assume poor judgment on her part. And surely you don’t mean that we are never to practice any kind of discrimination in who we see as valid and who we don’t. Otherwise, you would seem to be saying that Charles Stanley is no different than Reverend Ike or Master Prophet Bernard Jordan. And each should be accepted without comment or evaluation. Do you really want to say that? Blithely quoting a verse our of context is easy enough to to. Oprah will do that in a minute. Rightly dividing the word is something else again.
Correction on that url
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Wolves/oprah-fool.wmv
(MN: Let’s call it a reminder. My original post is in here somewhere. )