The first thing I want to say about this Tolle/Oprah phenomenon is that I'm always amazed to see how much interest there still is in spiritual things. My generation was told that religion, and spirituality in general, were passing away. Science was taking over and, by now, we were all supposed to be thoroughly secular, happy in the knowledge that empirically testable truth is the only truth, getting all our nourishment from variously coloured pills, and driving flying cars. O well, I tried to tell them that this predicting business was tricky, but they just wouldn’t listen. I’m not surprised that I was right, but I’m astonished to find that I was this right.
Whenever we approach any teaching we should do so in a spirit of kindness and confidence. It’s fine to have points of disagreement, but we should not be disagreeable. And we should remember two particular scripture texts. The first is John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. So many people know John 3:16 but they use it in such a judgmental way that it seems they have no understanding of the very next verse. Jesus didn't come to condemn everything, and he didn't tell us to go around condemning things either. We need to listen politely and try to understand before we make any comment. Then we should focus on the things we agree with and appreciate. In other words, we should treat people the way we want to be treated. And only then should we express the reservations we have.
The second scripture is John 1:9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. So often preachers, and Christians in general, talk as though we are the only ones who have any truth from God, or in whom God is working. But the Apostle John is very clear that the Word of God is working in every human being to enlighten him or her, and that this is the very same Word of God who became flesh in Jesus. It should, therefore, hardly surprise us when we find profound truth in the teachings of non Christians. Buddha, Confucius, Moses, Mohamed, Gandhi, as well as Mother Teresa and Billy Graham, all have lots to teach us. And, as Jesus says, "...a tree is recognized by its fruit." (Matthew 12:33), not by its label.
I've been very disappointed, though unfortunately not surprised, to see how many Christians, particularly preachers who should know better, are quick to criticize. And, as noted in my last posting, some have indulged in extreme and uncharitable attacks, particularly on Oprah. Of course Oprah can get it wrong, just like the rest of us, but to say she's the most dangerous woman in the world is not only intemperate and unkind, it’s fearmongering. And fearmongering can get people hurt. Gandhi got shot because people were told he was dangerous. Come to think of it, Jesus got crucified for the same reason. This is a spirit of fear; not the Spirit of Jesus.
Anyway, millions are reading Tolle, and I'm very interested in what you're thinking. I'm fascinated by the spiritual landscape of the post modern world. How are you growing? Who’s influencing your spiritual life? Are you being discipled? Are you part of a spiritual community? All of which is to say: How ya doin’, really?
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