YOGA, NOGA

My first practical application of a Biblical insight gleaned from our lessons in Greece came this weekend. A thoughtful young lady approached me about a situation involving yoga. I'll be honest, I did kid's yoga with the girls for several months, always turning off the video before they got to the "Namaste" portion, until my husband cited his uneasiness with the practice. "It's just stretching and strengthening," I thought, but, I complied.
So, I suggested that my friend look for a short article that would address Christians practicing yoga. And since I suggested it, I thought I would do the same for myself. What is really out there? I checked the CRC's website, but only found that Synod 2013 did not think this topic relevant to form a study committee. I have to say after some research on the subject, I think Synod got it wrong.  I think an honest reformed response to Eastern mind/body practices is completely appropriate and needed. In researching this a bit I was convicted myself as I did not understand the extent of religious meaning that yoga involves.
One of the first articles I read was from the BBC World Service, Does doing yoga make you a Hindu? by William Kremer. It was helpful to approach it from a non-Christian worldview first to help me understand what the world is seeing when a Christian participates in yoga. Then, I muddied the waters with an October 25, 2010 article in Relevant Magazine by Doireann Fristoe, Is it Okay for Christians to do Yoga? Finally, I read, Christian Yoga? It's a Stretch, by Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington, an extensive article about yoga. Here is the summary though:

So, in conclusion, Christians must reject yoga, as defined here. I’d also go so far as to say you should reject the term “yoga,” as it is impossible to divorce it from its historical and spiritual context without much explanation and linguistic gymnastics. Instead, feel free in Christian liberty to stretch however you’d like, participate in exercise, calm your nerves through breathing, and even contemplate the Scriptures in silence. But do so in a way that does not identify with yoga and non-Christian mysticism. Do not seek to negate your mind, but rather renew your mind with the Word of God. Do not seek to empty yourself, but rather be filled with the Holy Spirit. Do not seek to turn into yourself for enlightenment, but rather look out to the God of the Bible. Do not seek to become one with the universe, but rather be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.
Exercise is a gift of God for us to take care of the bodies that he created for his glory. It’s good and important to exercise. But we should never, in our desire to be in shape and be healthy, adopt systems antithetical to Christianity because they make us feel good or have bodily value. Rather, let’s first stay true to God and his Word and work out our bodies to his glory by his values handed down to us through Scripture.

And this is where Greece comes in. The yoga debate reminded me of a passage that we studied with Professor. Weima. First Corinthians 8-10 speaks about Christians eating food sacrificed to idols. In Weima's presentation, he cites David E Garland from his book on I Corinthians,

Occasions for eating in connection with an idol or on the premises of an idol's temple were numerous. The celebrations of many cults were closely bound up with civic and social life because religion and politics were indivisible in ancient Hellenistic city life. If Christians took part in civic life, they would have been expected to participate in a festival's sacrificial meals in some form or another.

Basically, Paul says to the Corinthian Christians, "No can do." A major bummer for Christians in this polytheist, secular society. This was a main form of socializing. We laugh about the number of churches in Holland, but the Greeks put us to shame. So you have to say to your boss, "Sorry, can't go to your kid's first birthday party because of my religion." Ouch. So maybe saying, "Sorry, I can't participate in yoga because of my faith," isn't so bad. And based on this passage, I would agree with Mark Driscoll; yoga can't be redeemed.

Almost home

We saw the sunrise in Athens...d.v. We will see the sunset in Michigan. We're on our last leg - the drive from Chicago to Allendale to Holland. Thanks for the prayers!

And the sunset in Michigan...

Pretty flowers; Pretty food

Prizes for those who can correctly identify  all of the above ;-)

Cape of Sournio

Poseidon's Temple

How I would love to swim in that water!  

Crete & Santorini

It is impossible to capture the amazing blue of the water of the Aegean Sea. 

Fishermen on Crete. 

A lovely, albeit stinky hike up to Santorini on the donkey path. 

From the top. 

Patmos

The church at John's cave upon receiving the Revelation

Everyday island life

The monastery -- it had to be prepared to fight off pirates. They dumped hot oil or water through a window. They had to have ample provisions since they would barricade the doors indefinitely until the pirates left. 

The Boat

From John's cave on Patmos

Pulling into Mykonos

From tender to ship in Santorini

Ephesus

This is the 3rd most highly regarded library of the ancient world. 

I was loving this little guy in the oedium in Ephedus. 

Ephedus was an amazing site. Turkey is a beautiful country. It seemed strikingly cleaner than Greece. 

Mykonos

You can see our ship in the distance. 

The beautiful windmills of the Greek isles. 

FRESH seafood anyone?

An interesting observation...the Hellenes (Greeks) have actually gotten fairer and lighter the further south we have traveled leading me to believe that our family is likely from southern Greece. 

Corinth

Any interest in carving out this canal?

Ancient (Roman) Corinth is a fascinating city. One can see the place where the local Jews dragged Paul in front of Gallio. 

I am taking a picture from the BHMA (pronounced Bayma).  We got a feel for the size and importance of Corinth. 

The number of parallels and relatable cultural norms is actually quite striking. A sex crazed culture full of idols and corruption sounds all too familiar. Living out a life set apart may not be as easy or straight forward as you might think. Peer pressure (no matter your age or social status) was certainly a part of both worlds. 

The Acropolis

Truly, the pictures do not do the Parthenon justice. You just cannot get a sense for the immensity of the columns. 

If you look closely, you will see the contrast of old and new on the windows of the Acropolis museum. 

Politics in Athens

We just turned on Euronews (had a short break) to see a bombed out car on the streets of Athens, Greece. We have been in Corinth all day and upon return noticed nothing strange. However, we were warned of possible protests due to a visit tomorrow from German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The Greeks have a general dislike for the EU, the euro and all of its own politicians. Matt is especially glad we will be boarding a cruise ship tomorrow (ie leaving Athens). 

Especially interesting considering this (the hill in the background) is regarded as the birthplace of Democracy. 

The ancient city of Athens

A temple to the one of the gods...giving you a better understanding of Acts 17. 

On the Areopagus overlooking the city. 

The geeks, I mean, theologians. 

Delphi

Yup, the constructed a small village to honor the gods on top of a mountain. 

And crazier still, their athletes ran around a rectangle. 

Visiting Greece? A few tips.

Tips on visiting Greece. 

1. Some i's become ee's. (Phillipee, Thessaloneekee, Delphee, etc)

2. They've shortened the beta (b sound) to a v. So Berea is Veria (yeah, I don't know). 

3. Check the signs. I would suggest multiple times. 

4. Do not pose for a picture at the museum in Delphi. It is forbidden. You will be severely scolded. 

5. Apparently paying for meals is optional (found in a restaurant menu)

5. Look lost. A super nice Greek will kindly redirect you with a warm and welcome smile. 

6. Eat the food. All of it is fabulous. 

7. Get the Alpha Greek Beer (according to my better half). 

8. Try to speak some Greek. The locals love it. It's not like speaking French in Paris. 

9. Don't mess with the bus drivers. 

10.  Don't chew the laurel leaves. You may be banished. 

A typical Greek street

Narrow but beautiful. However, this one was void of graffiti, which is not so much the norm. 

Meteora - the mountains with the Monasteries

First of all, it is difficult to describe just how amazing the landscape is throughout the countryside. And then to think that some monks in the 15th century thought it would be a good idea to build a Monastery 1,800 feet in the air on top of a rock with sheer sides, beyond me. They were seeking some serious alone time. 

At one point, 10,000 people all thought it would be a good idea, at the same time. 

And while I may think it is a little crazy, it does make me a bit sad that only 150 people are now living within the 7 or so monasteries and nunneries. 

The Weather

Just saying...it's not what I expected. 

For E & A

Daddy says, "Hi!" from Phillipi. Check out Acts 16 to see what we are learning about. 

A view of Thessaloniki

Overlooking the beautiful Aegean Sea and a city that is 2400 years old. It is no wonder that so many people groups fought for control. 

And yet after so much outside influence and control, the city worships God. The churches are supported by it's government, like not just tax exempt, the Priests are paid by the government.