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, 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,
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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.
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. 
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