The “church of Oprah”—What is it? Is Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth consistent with biblical Christianity?

what does the bible say?

These are two related questions. First, Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth presents a spiritual framework that draws from various religions, including Christianity and Eastern spirituality (Hinduism and Buddhism). Tolle also supports Gnosticism, which was addressed in the New Testament as an early heretical view of Jesus. A New Earth is not consistent with biblical Christianity, and it seems to be more of a self-improvement book. Tolle and his book were featured several times on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Oprah’s show peaked at an astounding 10 million daily viewers. Although her show ceased production in 2011, Oprah’s influence continues. Her spiritual beliefs—which are not biblical—were a central part of the show. Oprah believes there are many ways to connect with “what some call God.” She promoted Tolle’s book on her Book Club, on her website, and in partnership with him on a weekly webcast. Because of Oprah’s influence, some critics say she has built a following akin to a cult. Though her following is sometimes referred to as the “church of Oprah,” there is no such organization or denomination.

from the old testament

• Tolle teaches that each person can train themselves for salvation—heaven is simply a state of consciousness achieved through one’s own power, and Jesus is nothing more than a spiritual master who taught people to look within themselves for spiritual release. This is akin to Satan’s original lie: “you will be like God” (Genesis 3:5).

from the new testament

• Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Oprah does not acknowledge the Bible as God’s special revelation nor Jesus Christ as the sole avenue to the Father.

implications for today

In a culture flooded with influential voices like Oprah’s and popular books such as A New Earth, it is vital for us to take personal responsibility for our spiritual diet by carefully evaluating what we watch, read, and follow. We must recognize that spiritual teachings that blend New Age ideas with Christianity may seem appealing but can lead us away from the exclusive truth of Jesus as the only way to God. We must also commit to testing all teachings against the Bible, using Scripture as our ultimate authority, and remain vigilant against messages that promote self-salvation or relativism. We can do this by actively engaging with the Word of God, asking God for discernment, and surrounding ourselves with a community that teaches and upholds biblical truth. In these ways, we can protect our faith from confusion and falsehood, keeping our trust firmly anchored in Jesus Christ alone.

Recap

understand

• Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth, promoted by Oprah, mixes New Age and Gnostic ideas that contradict biblical Christianity.
• Oprah’s teachings deny Jesus as the only way to God, though no actual “church of Oprah” exists.
• We must test all spiritual teachings against the Bible and stay rooted in Jesus to avoid deception.

reflect

• How do you evaluate the spiritual teachings you encounter, especially from popular influencers, against the Bible?
• When have you been tempted to accept spiritual ideas that sound good but conflict with biblical truth, and how were you able to discern the truth?
• How can you cultivate discernment to recognize and reject teachings that promote self-salvation instead of faith in Jesus?

engage

• How does blending New Age spirituality with Christianity affect the clarity and authority of the gospel message?
• What are the dangers of following popular spiritual teachers without testing their teachings against Scripture?
• How can we better equip others to identify and respond to false teachings in today’s culture?