James Griffin
03-11-2008, 01:00 PM
The following article is from a blog at Church Solutions Magazine
http://www.churchsolutionsmag.com/bl...ogdefault.aspx
For years, Chuck Norris has been a vigilante for justice, rounding up the bad guys in various films and TV shows such as "Walker, Texas Ranger." Recently, he embarked on a whole new crusade – challenging TV’s resident daytime diva, Oprah Winfrey.
In a WorldNetDaily exclusive commentary this week, Norris authored “Oprah’s New Easter,” addressing her recent and ongoing promotion of spiritual self-help guide “A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose” by Eckhart Tolle. I’m sure Rick Warren is cringing as much as the rest of us.
Sources report that since Winfrey endorsed the book earlier this year, 3.5 million copies have been shipped. Last Monday evening, Winfrey and Tolle kicked off their free 10-week webinar series discussing each chapter of the book. More than half a million people in 125 countries signed up for the live event, which will also become available on-demand via oprah.com.
Norris’ letter states, “Both the book and the online course purport to be able to awaken you and our world to life's grand purpose.” To which, he questions, “Will this religious text and its subsequent Internet church-like gathering really lead you and our world to God's gates of splendor?”
I find the most interesting aspect of this scenario is Norris’ keen observation of the timing. He notes that the live webcast blazes a trail through one of Christianity’s most revered seasons – that of Lent and Resurrection Sunday. Norris finds this more than mere coincidence, stating, “It is yet one more evidence of the paradigm shift in our culture from its moral absolute and Judeo-Christian basis to a relativistic worldview in which anything goes and everything is tolerated. The fact is: Tolle's ‘A New Earth’ is being adopted and transformed into Oprah's new Easter.
The letter goes on to cite several examples from the text, yet suggesting a Bible is a better investment for a complete manual on truth, life, purpose and meaning.
Also of interest, Norris plugs a book due out in mid-April, "Do Hard Things," written by Alex and Brett Harris [of hucksarmy.com fame]. He says, “It offers real insights and rewards for life by commendably calling us to rebel against the low expectations of culture and choose to ‘do hard things.’" [Speaking of which, check out Ken Godevenos’ awesome blog, “Let’s Not Stop Offending."]
Norris’ main concern seems to be with Tolle, who is representing himself as a bearer of truth – when in fact, Jesus has already given us the authoritative truth we need to navigate this life. In making this final point, Norris ends his letter with a C.S. Lewis quote: "We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive."
You can learn more about Chuck Norris and his ministry at www.chucknorris.com.
Karen Butler, Group Editor
kbutler@vpico.com
__________________
LOVE COVERS
http://www.churchsolutionsmag.com/bl...ogdefault.aspx
For years, Chuck Norris has been a vigilante for justice, rounding up the bad guys in various films and TV shows such as "Walker, Texas Ranger." Recently, he embarked on a whole new crusade – challenging TV’s resident daytime diva, Oprah Winfrey.
In a WorldNetDaily exclusive commentary this week, Norris authored “Oprah’s New Easter,” addressing her recent and ongoing promotion of spiritual self-help guide “A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose” by Eckhart Tolle. I’m sure Rick Warren is cringing as much as the rest of us.
Sources report that since Winfrey endorsed the book earlier this year, 3.5 million copies have been shipped. Last Monday evening, Winfrey and Tolle kicked off their free 10-week webinar series discussing each chapter of the book. More than half a million people in 125 countries signed up for the live event, which will also become available on-demand via oprah.com.
Norris’ letter states, “Both the book and the online course purport to be able to awaken you and our world to life's grand purpose.” To which, he questions, “Will this religious text and its subsequent Internet church-like gathering really lead you and our world to God's gates of splendor?”
I find the most interesting aspect of this scenario is Norris’ keen observation of the timing. He notes that the live webcast blazes a trail through one of Christianity’s most revered seasons – that of Lent and Resurrection Sunday. Norris finds this more than mere coincidence, stating, “It is yet one more evidence of the paradigm shift in our culture from its moral absolute and Judeo-Christian basis to a relativistic worldview in which anything goes and everything is tolerated. The fact is: Tolle's ‘A New Earth’ is being adopted and transformed into Oprah's new Easter.
The letter goes on to cite several examples from the text, yet suggesting a Bible is a better investment for a complete manual on truth, life, purpose and meaning.
Also of interest, Norris plugs a book due out in mid-April, "Do Hard Things," written by Alex and Brett Harris [of hucksarmy.com fame]. He says, “It offers real insights and rewards for life by commendably calling us to rebel against the low expectations of culture and choose to ‘do hard things.’" [Speaking of which, check out Ken Godevenos’ awesome blog, “Let’s Not Stop Offending."]
Norris’ main concern seems to be with Tolle, who is representing himself as a bearer of truth – when in fact, Jesus has already given us the authoritative truth we need to navigate this life. In making this final point, Norris ends his letter with a C.S. Lewis quote: "We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive."
You can learn more about Chuck Norris and his ministry at www.chucknorris.com.
Karen Butler, Group Editor
kbutler@vpico.com
__________________
LOVE COVERS