Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Michelle Duggar Vs. Oprah Winfrey


"Contributing to the population isn't the same as contributing to society. Oprah Winfrey has done a lot more to help others than Michelle Duggar." This was a comment left on my post She Doesn't Want More Children where I wrote about childbearing being something God has ordained for women to do.

I responded with this answer, "Oh, I so disagree with this statement. Michelle is raising many godly children who work hard and love others spreading the love of Christ wherever they go. This world would be a much better place with more women like Michelle raising godly offspring. God tells us that the purpose of marriage is to raise godly offspring and she is obeying His command and being blessed abundantly."

Ken responded with this answer, "How about contributing to the Kingdom of God? Michelle Duggar has done far more for God and His Kingdom than any movie star or talk show host can ever do. Any Christian stay at home Mom who raises one godly child for the Lord is so much more important to God's economy than an Oprah Winfrey type. One is entertainment, maybe some humanitarianism, but eternity is about creating a family of God. 'and I will be their God, and they will be my people' trumps even the nicest of Hollywood's Stars and their attempts to do good towards society."

I am not sure if Oprah has led one person to Jesus Christ, in fact, I think she may be leading them away from Him as she pursues all different types of religions. She lives with a man who is not her husband and has abundant wealth. Yes, she is generous and seems to have a deep love for people which is admirable but she has left behind her Gospel roots which is normal for all those who go to Hollywood.

Ray Comfort wrote this about Hollywood. "Hollywood leads its actors into temptation. It delivers them to evil. If they had a spark of faith when they arrived in the dark town, it is soon put out by pressure to conform and by the extracurricular celebrity lifestyle."

Michelle Dugger, on the other hand, has given her life to raising 19 children in the wisdom and knowledge of God. (Yes, one has lived in rebellion since I wrote this post but he has returned to his wife who accepted him and forgave him as Christ has done for her and now they are expecting another baby; something those of this depraved world will never be able to understand.)

 Before their television show, the Duggars lived in a very small home with one bathroom and many children. She has a strong, happy marriage and her children are very well behaved. The whole family was on Dr. Oz recently and all 19 children sat quietly the whole time the parents were talking to Dr. Oz.  It was an amazing sight to behold! They preach Jesus wherever they go through their obedience and love for others. I would much rather have Michelle's life any day over Oprah's because I know nothing can compare with living for Him!

As Erica commented about this post, "I'm surprised no one has mentioned the multiplication factor. Oprah will die with no descendants to continue affecting society after she is gone. The Duggars will have many, many descendants to carry on a godly legacy, affecting the world for God's kingdom and preaching salvation, as well as putting God's principles to work here on earth and affecting many people for humanitarian good.

It reminds me of Jonathan and Sarah Edwards, who had 11 children. Who would have known that they would have 929 (!) descendants including 13 college presidents, 86 college professors, 430 ministers, 314 war veterans, 75 authors, 100 lawyers, 30 judges, 66 physicians, and 80 holders of public office, including three U.S. Senators, seven congressman, mayors of three large cities, governors of three states, a Vice-President of the United States, and a controller of the United States Treasury. 

Praise the Lord for godly offspring with good character!"

 Then choose for yourselves today whom you will serve— 
But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.
Joshua 24:15


Comments (31)

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I agree and love your husband's (Ken's) response to this statement: Contributing to the population isn't the same as contributing to society. Oprah Winfrey has done a lot more to help others than Michelle Duggar. And his response: "How about contributing to the Kingdom of God? Love it!
1 reply · active 626 weeks ago
Excellent answer! For me if I had the chance I would have lunch with Michelle Duggar over Oprah any day! She is indeed an inspiration to me. I think a lot of the success with discipline is she is soft spoken. I have learned the hard way that children as well as husbands respond in a positive way to this. In fact, my daughter once said to me when I was getting too loud and stern "why can't you talk like Michelle Duggar"? So now I try to use my "MIchelle" voice as much as possible.
1 reply · active 626 weeks ago
We are fans of the Duggar's. It comes down to ignorance when people bash their family for "having too many kids". Watching just one episode shows the love and kindness they represent. I agree with your thoughts and response!
1 reply · active 626 weeks ago
It is interesting that a reader made this comparison in the first place. I sometimes enjoy watching Oprah and it is easy to tell that she loves people, but I would never dream of declaring that her life's work is more valuable than a stay-at-home mother with a large family. I certainly think that God can use Oprah because we know that He can work all things for the good of those who love and follow Him. But as far as direct impact on Christ-followers, Michelle's scope is much more outwardly clear and specific. The Duggars conduct ministry through a secular, "world-view" cable TV outlet. That fact alone is a little miraculous, I think. My only hesitation is people putting their children on TV in general when they are too young to consent or know any better. Certainly, the Duggars are doing this in the best possible way, but I have reservations with babies being exposed on such a broad scale, sacrificing their privacy without their knowledge or permission.
1 reply · active 626 weeks ago
I think (?) I heard Oprah say on one of her shows once that being a mother is one of the hardest and most important jobs there is. I do think she has a lot of respect for motherhood, and I have wondered if, among other reasons, she choose not to have children because she could not make the necessary committment due to the life she has choosen to pursue.
2 replies · active 626 weeks ago
I guess I'd look at it this way: both have a lot of positive qualities and contribute much to the world, but in different ways. We are never all going to be alike, and that's just how it is, and always will be. They are both good people and have done much good.
2 replies · active 626 weeks ago
I bet even Oprah would disagree with that woman's comment, ha! I read a quote once by Oprah about how stay at home mothers are the hardest workers and the greatest contributors, or something like that. I love your and Ken's responses to the comment and couldn't agree more. I am just completely fascinated by Michelle Duggar. I just want to sit down with her and pick her brain a little. :)
1 reply · active 626 weeks ago
I commented on one of your earlier posts about wanting more children but my husband doesn't feel we can afford them. I said in some ways I agree with him but you pointed out scripture that says God will provide. He has said now that we can have another child after our debt is paid off in 25+months. I don't know where this desperate desire to have more children is coming from since I don't always feel like a great parent to the ones I have. I never planned to have a big family but all of a sudden I have a deep desire for one... I can only assume God has placed this desire on my heart... when my husband has said before he wasn't sure if he wanted more children I cried like someone had died... because that is truly what it felt like, like I was morning the death of a loved one. I would ask you for your advice on this situation but I'm pretty sure the answer would be to pray about it, right? :)
1 reply · active 626 weeks ago
Cynthia Swenson's avatar

Cynthia Swenson · 626 weeks ago

I heard this interesting question this week; what has more value?: the earth & all upon it (yes, people & animals,etc.) or one new creation in Christ (saved person!)? The answer is one saved person because that person cost God the precious blood of His Son. Creation was spoken into existence by God's Word & is generally temporary. So it is with our works: only what is done for Jesus Christ will last. I have been meditating on this awesome truth since I heard it! Love & prayers, in Jesus, Cynthia
LOVE this! MIchelle Duggar is one of my favorites people and role model. She is such a wise lady, and I love her calm and gentle spirit to her husband and as she mothers her children. She never yells at them.

We've had a lot people tell us we should stop having kids because we won't be able to afford to pay for extra things like theatre, sports, music, etc for all of them. My husband and I care much more about our children's eternal salvation than them being involved in tons of extra activities. We're especially not going to limit the number of children and eternal treasures we have based on making sure they can be involved in everything.
Amen! Mrs. Duggar is my role model. She is much WISER than Oprah and she puts the Word of God above all else in her life. That is of utmost importance and the ripples of her (and Jim Bob's) life ministry will be felt for generations to come.
Great Post! I love both Mrs. Dugger and Oprah. They have each impacted the world in a positive way. Stopping in from the Wise Woman BUilds Her Home Link List
http://bestlifemistake.blogspot.com/
Babette Castanos's avatar

Babette Castanos · 626 weeks ago

I this what you said was excellent! Oprah is very worldly with worldly values. I believe that walk in God´s will whether you have one child or 20 children is more important than all the money in the world. God bless Mrs. Duggar!
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the multiplication factor. Oprah will die with no descendants to continue affecting society after she is gone. The Duggars will have many, many descendants to carry on a godly legacy, affecting the world for God's kingdom and preaching salvation, as well as putting God's principles to work here on earth and affecting many people for humanitarian good.

It reminds me of Jonathan and Sarah Edwards, who had 11 children. Who would have known that they would have 929 (!) descendants including 13 college presidents, 86 college professors, 430 ministers, 314 war veterans, 75 authors, 100 lawyers, 30 judges, 66 physicians, and 80 holders of public office, including three U.S. Senators, seven congressman, mayors of three large cities, governors of three states, a Vice-President of the United States, and a controller of the United States Treasury.

Praise the Lord for godly offspring with good character!
Michelle is a hero. In my opinion, not so much, Oprah.
I think it's strange to compare these 2 women. They have chosen different paths, and both are admirable in their own way. Why must you put down all the good that Oprah has done because according to you, Michelle has done more? It seems really weird to me. They've both chosen different paths, and done well at it. I made more contributions than my friend Sam, but that doesn't mean I'm going to put down Sam's contributions. It just seems really weird, and bizarre.
1 reply · active 513 weeks ago
I guess I just wanted to add, that just because a woman decides not to have children, it doesn't mean her contributions are any less than a mother's. Is that all women are good for? Bearing children? Would you compare a father's contributions to a non-fathers? WHy do this with women? You're very strange and very sexist.
1 reply · active 513 weeks ago
Oprah Winfrey is a mother. Her son passed away in infancy, but that still doesn't take away the fact that she gave birth to him. Furthermore, Oprah was brought up a Christian (her grandmother taught her to read at three so that she could recite Bible verses) and has remains a Christian to this day.
Jesus. Why put yourself up against the world? Prioritize. Where do your prayers need to be? Where do your energies need to zap along and into for healing, restoration and forgiveness to take place? I will always be sick if I do not understand this one thing: I love my parents but if they are sick there is nothing that I can do to make things better, to change things or to right things. They have to do for themselves. I hve to get help for myself. May the love of God be? I have to let Jesus in. He is the mighty healer. lad

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