Thinking About Thinking...

I'm still making my way through Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth.

Oprah had her live web cast last night. I tried to tune in, but I had technical problems about 10 minutes into it. We were able to log in and "take our seat" 30 minutes before the web cast began, and during that time, they showed parts of the Oprah Show. I think it was an "after the show" segment, and they were talking about this book. Watching that part was pretty informative, I thought. Oprah was talking to audience members...people talking about the book and asking Oprah questions.

One woman stood, said that she is a Christian, and asked if the book was "New Age". Oprah told her that the book was for anyone and everyone, regardless of religious beliefs. Oprah also said that she too is a Christian, and is not willing to give up her Christian beliefs, but that the book changed her spiritual life all the same. BUT THEN...she finishes by saying something like (roughly quoting here), "this book is for everyone, even Christians. If you're a Christian but are open to the possibility that there are many/other ways to God, then this book is for you."

Oh. So close.

I am one of those Christians who believes that Jesus is THE way to God. But I'm still going to read this book. Maybe there will be pieces and parts that can benefit me after I throw out all the stuff that doesn't do God justice. And I also want to be able to have an intelligent conversation about this book. 500,000 people watched the web cast last night. There should be plenty of conversation going on.

Chapter 1 really rubbed me the wrong way. I have no problems with searching out "self" and even trying to make improvements...as long as Jesus isn't lost along the way. It saddens me, really, to read posts from lots of people who talk about loss and pain and loneliness and "an empty hole" inside of them that they're trying to fill. So much pain out there...and these message boards are not going to lead those people to look for comfort and healing in the True source of comfort and healing.

Chapter 2 was interesting, thankfully not too misguided, but not really anything new (at least in my opinion). The general idea of the chapter was to bring to our attention the fact that we are not our thoughts...that the real "self" is deeper...the real self is the part of us that can notice and observe our thoughts. He goes on to define what he calls "ego"...the part of us that is constantly looking for definition from external sources like our stuff, our nationality, our race, our gender, our roles in life, how we compare to others, etc.

Nothing new under the sun here.

Since all this talk about our thoughts is happening, I thought (ha!) it might be nice to see what the Bible has to say about what goes on between our ears. There was plenty! I'm not going to analyze and elaborate on what each section of Scripture said to me. I'll let you read and pray about it for yourself. And there's plenty more, if you're interested. You can click HERE and do a search on "think", "thought", "thoughts", etc.

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The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

(2 Corinthians 10:4-5 )

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved

(Ephesians 2:1-5 )

Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.

(Hebrews 3:1)

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. (Luke 1:50-52 )

Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. (2 Peter 3:1)

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Romans 1:21)