I'n 42, and I've been a Christian since I was 12. What I'm finding is that by studying the Bible I'm still getting to know God. I'm not redefining God in my life, but I feel he is redefining me. - Pam

Pam, Isn't is great to know that with each day that we are given, we are also given another chance to know God more. When he speaks to us thru his word he also changes our lives at the same time. We are given the chance to become more like him and to present him to others so that they can become more of what he wants them to be also. In this day and time we need for christians to pray for each other more than ever before. Keep searching his word and he will guide you each day - Jerry

Why were chapters burned and hidden when the bible was rewritten? I am trying to gather information and am shocked by some things I come across. Donnis - Donnis Livingston

Donnis - that sounds interesting. I am a non-practicing cradle catholic searching for truth. I've been reading these devotionals for several months and always appreciate the insight and inspiration that comes from hearing other believers express their faith. Thank you all! What leads you to believe the bible was re-written? when did this happen? - Jim

Donnis,
When we begin to study the Bible and we begin to ask questions such as yours then we run into wall that block us. I hope I can help you a little with this question. The way our Bible was formed was the process of "Tests for Canonicity". The word "Cannon" means a rule or measuring rod, and in relation to the Bible it refers to the collection of books that passed a test of authenticity or authority. What was done was the writings was put thru tests and comparisions to see if they were true or not. This was done by consulting other writers or then present day historians. They were examined and if found true they were compiled or gathered into the book we now call the Bible. The original copies of the Old Testement were written on leather or papyrus from the time of Moses (1450bc) to the time of malachi (400bc). There were no copies found in existance anywhere earlier than about 895 bc. The reason for this was because the Jews had a superstitious belief of the text, which empelled them to bury copies that had become to old or worn to use. There were other things that they did which starts arguments about beliefs that I do not wish to go into but most of the reasons things were done was due to superstitions. I hope this will help you to understand a little better. - Jerry

Everywhere I seem to go--hair salon, nails, office, etc..many women are talking about some book Ophra is 'teaching & preaching' about on her show. The New Earth or Eat,Pray,Love. After reading about these books, it is obvious that none of them are encouraging seeking Jesus for answers to daily problems or a better life. This is not about "slamming" Oprah however, so amny folks think that her word and recommendations are the secret to happiness and success!!
I would love to see RHTH take a stand on these books and their "new age" preachings and hopefully help the 'Oprah cult' generation realize that the only TRUE PEACE COMES FROM JESUS and that HE is the ONE to seek. I know from my personal experiences that if not for the Grace of Jesus I would be utterly lost. His is the only path to successful living,joy, peace, and a full life...all else is just a 'new age' approach from the old Devil Himself to trick us into turning our focus away from the ONE TRUE GOD and SAVIOR!! - katie stewart

Thanks Jerry for your insightful answer and also to Katie-you are so right about these books and others that have come out lately that sort of masquerade as the truth. It's just what the bible predicted though that people would become mockers of the word in the end times. - Christ Follower

Bryant Wright occasionally mentions Oprah in his sermons. She is a woman with enormous power and influence, some of which she uses to lead her viewers to her spiritual viewpoint. I don't think there is anything wrong with what she is doing, she just doesn't believe the same things we Christians believe. If people want to subscribe to her beliefs - so be it. - Austin

Austin, I don't know if you have heard what Oprah is saying or not but I have listened to some of her comments and yes what she is doing is wrong. Dead wrong. She said with her own mouth that teaching that Jesus is the only way to Heaven is silly and wrong. Jesus said "I am the way" any teaching contrary to this is wrong. I am not trying to start a riot or anything but WAKE UP PEOPLE we are to tell people when we see or hear anything that is being done or said that is wrong. The statements that she has said recently is antichrist and there is no other way to say it but that way. The Bible tells us that if we see the enemy coming and we do not sound the alarm the blood of the people will be on our hands. This belief she is teaching is wrong and we do not need to heed to it. Don't get me wrong I am not mad at anyone but we need to wake up and tell the people that Saten is alive and he is on the job. - Jerry

I love Oprah, but I totally agree with Jerry. Any doctrine that doesn't include Christ as our Lord and Savior is untrue. There is just too much of this new age-my truth or your truth stuff. It either is the truth or its not. At some point there will come a time when the wheat will have to be separated fromt the chaff so to speak and we as real Christians will be "expected" to stand up for our Lord. - Christ Follower

Donnis, the bible was not rewritten, or even written as a book, per se. People often make the mistake of thinking of the bible as a single source document, like your comment about "Chapters" would indicate. Because of that, they say stuff like "what evidence do you have other than what is in the Bible"? Well, that's like saying, what evidence do you have other than what is in a history book? A history book is a collection of information about what happened as reported by those who were there. Whether it is ancient writings about the life of Julius Ceasar or Jesus, it is the same, and there are far more primary and secondary source documents about Jesus and the early church than any other event in ancient history.

As Jerry states, the Bible is a collection of historical writings and letters that the early church were passing around, and later collected and placed into a book we call the Bible. Later writings did not pass scrutiny for many good reasons, such as when they were written, historical context, textual inconsistencies, and other irregularities, so they were not included in the cannon of scripture called the Bible. This does not mean they were hidden. The early church just came to an agreement that they were not true scripture. If you were putting together a history book today, and did not include a story from the National Enquirer that was obviously a fabrication, you should not be accused of hiding anything. In the same way, don't be alarmed by people or books that claim that the church tried to hide things.

Oprah has been a "new ager" for a long time -- at least twenty years. This new book she is promoting is bringing that all to light again. She does have quite an affect on culture, and what people believe. I agree with Austin in that she has a right to say whatever she believes, but I also agree with Jerry that we need to point that out the inconsistencies and errors in her beliefs to those who might be taken in by them simply because she is Oprah. - Rick Y

I find it very scary and frustrating what Oprah is doing.
She is powerful in that she has many people who hang on her every word. You can find videos on You Tube of her discussing that she finds it ridiculous that people still believe that Christ is the only way to Heaven. An audience member challenges her with, "What about Christ??" Oprah responds incredulously, What about Christ??!!" As in...so what! She is so misinformed about Christianity and the Bible. This current television season she has been pushing "A Course In Miracles" and "A New Earth". Both of which are scary because they lead people to look within themselves and away from Christ.
The author of "A Course In Miracles" claims that Jesus has spoken to her and told her that we have interpreted the Bible incorrectly and there is Devil and there is no evil. She claims problems come from how we interpret things around us. Matthew 24: 4-5 says, "Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."
The more you study the Bible and open your eyes to the deceptions going around, it is shocking. Few are trying to point out the falsity and dead-end of these teachings. These people looking for answers and true peace can find them in Christ and the Bible, alone. - Melanie

*no Devil (typo on above comment) - Melanie

This devotion is about "Re-Defining God" and that is what Oprah seems to be doing. She is all glamourous and glitzy and is an American packaging and marketing phenomenon. I picked up one of her magazines recently and found it had nothing to appeal to me. She is pushing porn usage by the public. She is truly not helping people with that. I think she is going along with what she thinks people want to hear so she can continue to make the dollars to support her lifestyle and image. New-age sounds so fashionable and we know that means Jesus Christ is unfashionable and passe' to the trendy crowd. Well, there are people who are not clad in the latest fashion who are going in at the narrow gate. The wide gate has all manner of new clothes, even some like the Emperor's new clothes. People, keep your eyes on Jesus and do not be led astray by all this nonsense. Jerry is right in what he posted. Thanks, Katie, for pointing out how Oprah relates to today's devotion. Amen, Melanie! - Janice

Janice, what do you mean by, "She is pushing porn usage by the public." I must have misunderstood what you meant because Oprah is definitely against pornography. - FCE

It is morally wrong to censor people from discussing their beliefs. As far as I know, that is all Oprah has done. I sure don't want the message of Christ censored. However wrong Oprah is about her views of Christianity, Jesus, or whatever, she has every right to say and believe whatever she wants. The people she is able to influence are making choices based on their own free will. The same free will God grants to all mankind. As a Church, we need to assert our own message and influence, but I think we need to be carefull to combat Oprah's beliefs and not Oprah. To do that you don't even need to mention her name. - Austin

FCE, I do not have the magazine article before me because I saw it in an office but it was suggesting that people use porn. I do not remember the exact details because I was so disgusted by the suggestion. If I can get a copy of the magazine I will give you more details. Perhaps someone else reading this has seen the article. Maybe it could be found online. I have not checked there either. Why do you say she is against the use of porn? Is it from her current views that you have heard her express or was it from the past? I do not want to give the wrong impression about what I saw in the magazine but since it is her magazine I expect she goes along with what articles are in it. - Janice

Austin, freedom of speech works both ways. We are not attacking Oprah personally, we are trying to expose the false religion and gods that her beliefs and "New Age" books profess with widespead enthusiasm. As Christians we need to expose the falsehoods of these teachings and let people know that Christ is the one, true way. Our goal is that all know Christ and that certainly includes Oprah. - Melanie

Austin, If you took me wrong I am sorry, I did not mean we should censor her but we do need to sound an alarm. This is a woman who has a lot of power and she does make an impact on her followers. If she makes a comment about what she thinks needs to be done on a subject, her faithful listners will do exactly what she says. When a person makes a comment that says that we are gods or there is more ways to heaven than Jesus, than you and I should take offense to this and we need to call things like it is. Let her continue to spread this false hope but we need to face the problem with conviction. I don't believe we have any readers on this site but as an over all whole, the majority of Church's today are in the state of the Church of Laodicea. To many people are too luke warm and are afraid to face the devil and tell him what the word says about him. He is a liar, a cheat, a thief, and he is already defeated. Again Austin I apoligize if I mislead you. - Jerry

Hey, no sweat, Jerry. I know you and the majority of the people on this comments section have nothing but the best intentions. - Austin

We need to be praying for Oprah and seeking God to show her beliefs for what they are, False. We must as a christian community of believers rise up and say the truth. She is a woman of power and influence, that is so true, however< Grater is He that is in me, then he that is in the world. We cannot censor her, but we can and must speak out about the false beliefs she is trying to instill. I like Oprah and at one time years ago, she spoke of how her ancestors where christians and the beliefs that they instilled in her, long before the rich and famous person she is now. Somewhere in her, I believe are those beliefs, I am praying that God will bring them to the front of her mind again. We need to seek Christ daily and keep up our guard, because these are the end times for real. - Jan-Mexico

I think too that Oprah is saying what the people want to hear to keep up her popularity. I watched her a few times, but do not care for her myself.She definately has a following and yes, we should be concerned about it. The Bible teaches about false prophets.We do need to share this with others because as Christians we need to keep together and look out for one another. Thank you everyone for encouraging me, I still feel like I am new at this, but we learn all our lives. It never ends. - julie

I do not want to sound so down on Oprah because I think she does often think she is doing best by people. I know I need to turn my feelings over to God in prayer when I feel anger about her leading people astray. Some background about a first "Oprah" experience: I was working in a professional office and another professional lady who was in from another office had brought in her little mini tv because she could not miss Oprah. It made me aware of how much power Oprah had even in the early days to lead people in the wrong direction. The lady got paid her professional salary to watch Oprah. I guess I feel that Oprah has had Christian influences in her life and that she has made the choice to reject Christianity. I know I should pray for her but I already pray for so many. There are so many celebrities that need prayer so how many hours are in the day? I hope God will forgive me for not feeling more compassion for Oprah. - Janice

FCE, I was able to obtain the O (Oprah) magazine and it is from July 2007, Volume 8, Number 7 and the theme for the issue is "Inhibitions". When I picked up the magazine in a waiting room there was not much to choose from and on the cover it indicated there would be fashion information for sizes 2-22 so that was why I even decided to look at the magazine. I was totally shocked to come across the article, "Eyes Wide Open" by Violet Blue who is the author of "The Smart Girls Guide to Porn". I still have not read the whole article but I read enough to see that it was encouraging people to try porn. I will give Oprah the benefit of the doubt and hope she does not go along with what was in the article but it is a hard leap for me. I have since yesterday prayed about Oprah and feel like God does want me to pray for her. I just wonder if she did become a Bible believing Christian who followed Jesus would all her followers continue to follow her after she abdicated power to Jesus. Anyway I do wish for her the best which is to realize salvation through Jesus. I apologize for the length of my comments today. - Janice