Oprah and The Secret
Some family members recently asked me if I knew anything about The Secret that is often talked about on the Oprah show. Well, having never watched a single episode, I hadn’t. But the way it was described to me, it sounds much like Gnosticism (which goes way back to New Testament times).
The essence of any sort of Gnostic thought is that “I have this secret information and if you have it too, your life will be much better.” Obviously that is way simplified, but that’s the just. It was asked how this fits in with Christianity because, apparently, it seems that on the show the two are compatible. Fortunately for me, one of my favorite professors from Regent answers this question directly (since I didn’t know anything about it!): Prof. John Stackhouse’s Weblog: Oprah’s Secret: New? Old? Good? Bad? Go check it out. He does a great job of taking a look at The Secret and how it fits with Christianity.
A few snippets from his post:
To be sure, this particular form of gnosticism is particularly suited to our age in that it does not call us away from the material world to a better, spiritual one, but instead tells us that there is just one cosmos of energy that we can then manipulate by force of will.
Some viewers are recorded on Oprah’s website as raising questions about the compatibility of this view with Christianity–as well they might. The soothing answer, however, is what you would expect if you know Oprah’s general take on things: There is nothing in this teaching to contradict the essence of any of the world’s great religions. For those who believe in a God who orders the universe, The Secret is just a description of the way God does so. For those who don’t believe in such a God, The Secret is just a description of the way things are.
What makes The Secret so troubling, from my point of view, is that it is a stew of the good and the bad, such that the good is genuinely nourishing, while the bad is genuinely toxic.
The Secret, therefore, is wishful thinking that does not correspond to the way things are. Some of it does, yes, which is why people can honestly testify to good things resulting from it. But some of it does not, and down that blithe spiritual path lies disastrous confrontation with a world that will not simply conform to our preferences.
If The Secret has caught your eye, definitely go read Stackhouse’s full article.
I don’t watch Oprah either, so I never heard of “the secret” but I agree that Gnosticism is on the rise. Everybody wants to feel special, superior, and “in the know.” This nonsense just caters to the worst part of our sinful natures, so it’s not surprising that people fall for it… very sad, really.
Thanks so much for tracking the info down, Matt. Some ladies in my Bible study were talking about it and now I have some ammunition!! (Not that they were buying into it, but were just wondering about it, and thinking how easy it is for people to get sucked into something like this).
I completely agree Laura! The Secret preys on our desires and makes sin an okay thing. One of the last things Stackhouse says that well:
Those are great desires if they go to the right place for fulfillment.
If only people would actually see what Christianity is all about!
Glad I could do it Jill, I was pretty curious myself.
Very timely. I just heard about this Friday. So, good job.
I try to look out for the needs of my readers…
Thanks for pointing me to Stackhouse’s article on the subject. I’ve only heard one peep about ‘the secret’ (which doesn’t even deserve capitalization) and that was on some Oprah preview.
Nothing intelligent to add. My mind is still clicking and turning over this topic.
I agree, it is funny, but it is like somehow if someone capitalizes something it all of a sudden has more respect or authority.
Stackhouse is always a good read!
I had never heard of “The Secret” either until I happened to be flipping channels the other afternoon and a few people associated with it were on Oprah. I seriously only listened to what they were saying for five minutes before moving along. Five minutes were enough. What they were talking about definitely seemed like Gnosticism, and basically just humanistic, name-it-and-claim-it, visualize your future, well, crap, if you’ll excuse the term. In my opinion, it’s bound to do more harm in the long run than any supposed good.
I completely agree! One of the last things Stackhouse notes is in a similar vein:
Oprah has so much influence with non-Christians and Christians alike that I wish she wouldn’t spout this crap. But unfortunately I don’t think that will happen.