Should Christians Participate in Yoga? the Answer May Surprise You

Everything Christians do, say, or think either reveals God's glory or hides it. Whenever Christians speak of bringing glory to God, we must understand that we are not speaking of adding to God's glory. God's "glory bank" isn't being constantly emptied and filled based on how His children daily live. His glory exists from eternity past and extends further than eternity future; and there is nothing that can change this; however Christians can reveal or hide His glory. There literally is nothing neutral in this life.

Yoga is no different. It too either reveals God's glory or hides it; as does its participants. Concerning its pagan origins and theological implications, Al Mohler, the President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, writes:

"The bare fact is that yoga is a spiritual discipline by which the adherent is trained to use the body as a vehicle for achieving consciousness of the divine. Christians are called to look to Christ for all that we need and to obey Christ through obeying his Word. We are not called to escape the consciousness of this world by achieving an elevated state of consciousness, but to follow Christ in the way of faithfulness."

Attempting to escape the consciousness of this world, even for a moment, apart from the finished work of Christ, is trusting in a false gospel. It is an attempt to be divine, to achieve God's consciousness apart from trusting in Christ's life, death, burial, and resurrection. Christians must rather trust in Christ alone seeking to live in this sinful world while representing Him well. He has freed us from this world through His finished work; and will one day return and get us, ultimately freeing us from this world through His finished work.

Yoga thus is still evil because it still possesses some of its origins. If these spiritual aspects are removed, then you are left with simply exercise; and I'm sure Mohler is not against exercise. Mohler writes, "There is nothing wrong with physical exercise, and yoga positions in themselves are not the main issue." So, if you're exercising, don't call it "Yoga," unless the pagan spiritual aspects are still involved.

In conclusion, should Christians participate in Yoga? Absolutely not! Christians are free to exercise unto the glory of God; however, it is impossible for a Christian to reveal God's glory through participating in Yoga. Thus, if you decide to participate in Yoga, you decide to hide God's glory.

What do you think?

Source: www.albertmohler.com