The Oprah Finale

Walt Mueller:

Yep, I did it. . . for about a half an hour. I watched Oprah's final minutes on TV. Well, on her show. There's no way she's anywhere near done with TV. Those last 30 minutes of Oprah teaching her captive audience sparked a very emotional wrestling match inside my head. You see, in a world where we rejoice when someone of influence who is highly respected boldy and gracefully stands in front of a captive audience to proclaim truth and give glory to God without being obnoxious. . . well, that's awesome.

Oprah did that yesterday. She gave credit to Jesus. She testified to her faith in God. She talked about the role of prayer in her life. She pontificated on grace. She gave a lesson on calling. So much of it was so, so good and seemed so, so right. But then I'd have to smack myself back into the reality of realizing that all this good was embedded in a muddled and confusing mix and mess that Oprah believes and promotes. . . and which plays well in our postmodern world. It's spirituality on my terms, the way I want it, and the way I like it.

As I watched, I was reminded once more of just how influential this woman is. . . in many good, good ways I might add. But then the term Pope-rah jumped into my mind as I thought about her influence and her followers. That's really the legacy of Oprah's 25 years. Oprah is poster girl for what I've long called "smorgasbord faith" - a term that describes a plate full of spirituality that's self-created in the moment from all kinds of stuff in an effort to satisfy one's spiritual hunger at that moment. Over time, you develop favorites that are always part of the plate you make up for yourself at the buffet table. That same idea was explored in yesterday's USA Today by Cathy Lynn Grossman in her article, "Oprah's big hug of spirituality will outlive her show." I love the opening line of Grossman's article: "Oprah, the prophetess of post-Judeo-Christian America who brought us big hug spirituality -- love yourself, save yourself -- leaves the daily stage today to run her media empire."

So, instead of getting excited about Oprah's mentions of God, Jesus, prayer, and grace, I'm wondering if we shouldn't be a little bit uneasy. Why? Because the one who opposes all that's good, true, right and honorable couldn't promote his destructive agenda more effectively than to disguise it by wrapping it in a covering or facade of truth. Think about it. An out-and-out lie is much more obvious. But put it in a Trojan Horse and we readily open the gates.

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