When I think of Yoga, I think of the guy from that old TV show That’s Incredible putting himself inside of small boxes. Which I always found to be silly. Anyone even daring to ask me to contort my body for some sort of inner peace would be asking me a stupid request. I’ve got the Prince of Peace in my heart and His name is the Lord Jesus Christ. I’ve received the peace of knowing He has granted me the gift of eternal life with Him, I don’t need any more peace. And given Yoga is all about finding something in YOURSELF and rooted in pagan ritual, I find it to be dumb. My Lord desires that those who follow him DENY themselves.
Matthew 16:24 (New King James Version)
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So there’s been talk about should Christians do Yoga? Well this Christian finds it silly, stupid and outright dumb. So I’ve got no desire to do it. I don’t think turning yourself into a pretzel is going to put you in hell, but plenty of people are in Hell that centered on themselves and that’s where Yoga puts its focus, so I don’t bother with it.
KyleNYC sent me a link from over at the good blog Christian Research Net. Where John MacArthur and some gospel of YOU type named Doug Pagitt debated Christians doing Yoga on CNN Headline News. Check out the video below.
Given Pagitt’s statements, I need Yoga for a whole and complete life? Give me a break. MacArthur slammed that nonsense properly. And I don’t like how Pagitt speaks of Jesus as some dead historical figure, using statements like “when he was alive”. Pagitt claims church leadership, but follows a dead Jesus. Christ is alive and Pagitt would do well to get out of those funny positions and read more scripture!
Pagitt does a hatchet job on the scripture:
Philippians 4:8 (New King James Version)
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If Doug Pagitt and those contorting themselves with him only read more from that same chapter, they’d see how to have peace and also learn to rightly divide the above passage of scripture. Let’s see what happens when you view the verse above with the addition of a few more in that same chapter.
Philippians 4:4-8 (New King James Version)
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Wait a minute! If I calmly make my requests to God in prayer with thanksgiving, I’ll receive the peace of GOD! Why on earth would I care to seek inner peace of myself, when I can have the peace of God guarding my heart and mind through Christ Jesus? To take the Yoga route is like requesting a dried bone of self indulgence, when the Lord has a cut of something greater than fillet mignon waiting. All I have to do is turn to Him and turn away from the dried bone called Yoga.
1 Timothy 4:8 (New King James Version)
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When meditating on good things, it’s to keep one’s mind on things that glorify Christ, not turning into pretzel shapes and claiming it’s “good”. People who smoke pot say that feels “good” too. One must be able to discern what is good in Christ from what is being called “good”, but is nothing more than weak self indulgence.
OK, I’m done with this one, like I said, Yoga is silly, stupid and dumb.
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September 14th, 2007 at 3:07 am
IC, I have some links to the website and the book Pastor Pagitt is trying to hock. It’s bad man, very bad. The first link is to his Church “so-called”. the next is a vid about the book he’s trying to hock. Just get your barf bag ready.
Website
http://www.solomonsporch.com/index.html
Video
http://www.emergentvillage.com/weblog/manifesto-of-hope-video
Kyle
September 14th, 2007 at 4:14 am
IC,
One more thing. This guy is so bad it may merit its own thread.
Kyle
September 14th, 2007 at 5:32 am
IC,
OK I lied, one more thing. Have you noticed how much worse each successive generation has gotten in regards to sound doctrine? I mean the old heads like Oral Roberts were bad and as for the middle aged Pimps like Bynum it gets worse. Now lets take a look at our generation (Gen X, Y, 18-early 30s) This group is so far out there with people like Medina Pullings on one side and this Pagitt and his New age teachings I don’t think we can get any lower.
Kyle
September 14th, 2007 at 7:53 am
Personally, I don’t see the point in doing yoga. I was also told that yoga was not a good idea, for it open doors to false forces that are not of God.
September 14th, 2007 at 8:25 am
Oh he did not go there! Using Philippians 4:8 to justify partaking in a pagan practice??!!!?? Hey Doug, how about quoting 2nd Corinthians 6:14–”…do not be yoked unequally with the unrighteous?” Ephesians 5:11–”Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness?”
He’s not sure how to answer a question like “Would Jesus be alright with yoga”??? It’s a yes or no answer, Doug! And if you’re not sure, then the answer is probably “NO!!”
September 14th, 2007 at 9:47 am
fourpointer - The question was not “Would Jesus be alright with yoga”? The question was “So you say Jesus is alright with Yoga”? The reporter who said he’s Christian phrased the question in the tense of Christ alive, but Pagitt gave a response in the tense of Christ being dead. Because Pagitt follows a dead Christ, he could not answer the question. The laymen reporter has a better understanding of the TRUE Christ, than the new age guy named Pagitt.
KyleAndrews - Of course it gets worse. The evil false teachers are supposed to get worse. They fulfill their role as handmaidens of the enemy as noted in scripture, that they would get worse, 2 Timothy 3:13.
September 14th, 2007 at 9:58 am
KyleA, check out the What Makes a Church? page on Pagitt’s “church” site, it’s BLANK.
And also see the statement posted at the Christian Practices page. Pagitt has a Things of Importance page where he tries to give the appearance of Christianity.
I’ve noticed these false teachers like to use lines like “nobody wants a bunch of scripture tossed at them” type of lines. They want to make sure they keep the sheeple away from a scripture rooted foundation. Pagitt’s site is really short on scripture. I guess that’s what happens when you follow a false dead jesus, instead of the TRUE and living Lord Jesus Christ.
September 14th, 2007 at 11:39 am
And as I suspected, they permit abomination. They neglect 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 and are nothing but a social club. A very wicked social club.
September 14th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
The one thing people don’t know about yoga is that it is a way of preparing for the next body their spirit will receive (reincarnation), but in reality it opens the doors for demons to enter and allow the person to be given more easily to false doctrines. Yoga is a part of eastern mysticsism (sp). Every movement has a meaning. Just because man decides they want to do something and stick the name of jesus on it, doesn’t mean that God wants us to do it. Here is a site by Caryl Matrisciana, she is a documentarian and has done extensive research on how this and other forms of the occult are sneaking their way into the churches. http://www.carylmatrisciana.com/caryl/?cat=15
Hosea 4:5-7
September 14th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
Pagitt is pretty proud of his performance and has a blog post up about the video above, where he’s taking comments.
September 15th, 2007 at 5:46 pm
I do yoga because it is a good workout for me. There are many types of yoga. The one I mostly do is Ashtanga and it will kick your ass! I am not even close to being able to do those weird pretzel shapes you discuss. I might get there one day, but it’s not necessarily my goal. I just like to have variations in my fitness routines and yoga does that for me. In fact, I think you will find many people who do yoga are in it for the fitness of the body more than the fitness of the soul or mind.
The other yoga I participate in, although less frequently, is restorative yoga. This helps me to de-stress once a week and really stretch out my muscles. I love caring for my son, but I do need a few hours to myself each week and this gives it to me. It’s a nice, calm practice to relieve sore muscles and not think about whatever is stressing me out.
SO, what I am trying to say is, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. It may take going to a few different classes or a few different teachers. Just be sure to find the one that works for you. Some teachers emphsize the more spiritual part than the physical, and obviously, that would NOT be the class for you, so take your time and see what’s out there, but give it a try first. Use it as a workout tool. Not everyone wants to or needs to take up the “yogic lifestyle”.
September 15th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
By the way, I have not viewed the video you have linked. I will be sure to watch it and I have never heard of this guy you are talking about. None of my yoga instructors talk about yoga as a religious thing.
September 15th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
AirborneVet - Many who do illegal drugs also claim it should not be “knocked” until “tried”. They tell me it relaxes them pretty good too.
It’s best to review all the material presented (both text and video) to be fully aware of all points made before offering your own.
I’ve got a feeling that if throughout scripture people following the Lord were able to follow what is now documented in scripture as recommendations on how to receive an even greater peace (see in the post above), that it will work for me too. Especially considering they were able to remain cool in conditions involving persecution, which included various forms of torture. In fact, I tried it and it works.
I’ve got access to the peace of God above through Christ Jesus, so I’ll pass on Yoga. In fact, Yoga would only be a step DOWN.
September 15th, 2007 at 9:15 pm
When you come off of your ‘high’, then what?
September 15th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
I was flipping through the channels the other night and saw the yoga channel (not sure what the real name of the network is). As the soft voiced narrator was giving instructions (stretch this way, do this, and do that) I heard the narrator say “ok, open your third eye”. Whaaat? Third eye????!!! Now, it’s my understanding that the phrase “3rd eye” is associated with witchcraft. That little clue gave me even more reason to believe that yoga also falls under Iasaih 2:6 .
September 16th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Maybe it’s the experience I’ve had with yoga and/or my instructors, but there is no religius stuff or “third eye” suff thrown in there at all. Really, comparing drugs with Yoga? Really not the same. I get a runner’s high when I run, too, should I stop that? Is it in direct defiance of the Lord? I don’t think so. I watched the video and was just laughing hysterically at both people on it. I am dumbfounded that anyone would even bring the subject up concerning yoga being against Christianity in some way. Again, from MY experience, this is just not so. It is possible that some more well known practitioners are changing what yoga is, so they can benefit- much like your much discussed pulpit pimps. Man does tend to corrupt good things.
And again, as I said, I use it to work out. Even if my mind is at peace with the Lord, my body still needs to be healthy, which is up to me, not God.
September 16th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
Yoga’s focus even if they try as best they can to remove the “third eye” stuff, is for the individual’s personal self is it not?
Now consider again the message from God to man:
1 Timothy 4:8 (New King James Version)
Now tell me again why I should give Yoga a second thought?
Actually attempting to ignore and/or remove the pagan spiritual side is to change what Yoga really is.
If you feel your body is your own to carry on with as you please, you can’t also claim you have peace with the Lord, given:
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (New King James Version)
And plenty of medical journals have documented the physical benefits of what they consider to be protected sex even outside of marriage.
Now if God has informed us that physical exercise profits little and instead seeking godliness has eternal benefits. Wouldn’t it make more sense that instead of devoting time every day to a physical workout, that I devote that time to spiritual growth in Christ Jesus, through prayer and study of scripture? Why would I go for the thing that brings the least benefit? Why focus on the body that would do well to survive 100 years, when there is a spirit that will be around eternally and I make the rewards for it in this life?
The verse just prior to 1 Timothy 4:8 notes the following:
1 Timothy 4:7 (New King James Version)
The bottom line is that the Christian’s body is for the Lord’s use and the goal is not physical, but exercise in things of godliness.
With Yoga, not only is it a diversion to lesser physical things, but also has a root in paganism. Even to engage in physical exercise, it makes even less sense to do it using the model of things rooted in pagan worship.
When I pray, I don’t seek to do it at 5 specific times of the day facing the East. Why? Not because I’m praying to the pagan Muslim god, but rather because I refuse to use a model for prayer that is rooted in paganism.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (New King James Version)
Regardless of how someone may claim to use it, we know that Yoga was made for unclean fellowship, so I’ll avoid it, 2 Corinthians 6:11-18.
September 16th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Many of us, in search for that inner peace look for something to fill that void. Some turn to drugs, sex, alcohol,and of course, yoga. Believe it or not, people use religion to fill that void. For example, running around the church and they think they have the Holy Ghost after a feel good sermon. Once we come off of that ‘high’ from the things I’ve mentioned, then what? Did it change anything? All you are doing is running in circles. If we do not believe that Christ can give us peace beyond understanding or when He said, “Peace, I leave with you”, then you would end up dealing with counterfeit forces that will cause you to self-destruct in due time because Christ was never the center of your inner peace.
September 18th, 2007 at 8:31 am
A few additional comments: For the person who asked about the “3rd eye”. Here is what I have found. The proper sanskrit name is Ajna Chakra. Meaning to look into yourself. Used during meditation for reflection on yourself, your life and, if you prefer, your relationship with God.
Concerning yoga’s focus, yes, I would agree that the focus is the self. Be at peace with yourself and you can be at peace with anything or anyone else. I’m still not sure I understand your comment about unclean fellowship. As far as I know, yoga was originally considered a meditation practice by Tibetan or Hindu(?) monks thousands of years ago. Is it a ritual for worship? I don’t think so, but I suppose you could look at it that way.
And to the last comment by art123: Then I guess it is a good thing I am not using yoga (or running for that matter) to find inner peace!
Thank you for the wonderful conversations!
September 18th, 2007 at 9:57 am
AirborneVet - I think you’re missing some major important points regarding scripture’s mandates for the Christian. We don’t “look into ourselves” for a relationship with God. We deny ourselves, Matthew 16:24.
September 18th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
That’s ok because I think you are overreacting and turning yoga into something it is not. We shall have to agree to disagree.
September 18th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Actually you know it was made and is still used for pagan purposes and you’re trying to alter its use, but still seeking a goal from it that can’t be squared with 1 Timothy 4:8.
If you want to claim Christ approves of it, convince us with scripture.
September 20th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
I do not study the spiritual side of yoga. I only practice the physical part, therefore, I asked my yoga teacher about the “self” issue. She told me that, when translated, because yogic teachings are not in English, the word “self” is capitalized (Self) and does not mean oneself, but God. So the spiritual side is worshipping God.
You may call it pagan if you like, but there are many interpretations of various religions into English that may change the original meaning or we, as American or “Western” Christians, may not believe that other people meant the same God we believe in simply because they are a foreign people. The God of Judaism is the same as the one in Christianity, Buddha is another word for God and so is Allah. If you truly research these other, legitimate and highly respected world religions, you will find that there truly is one God, but he may be called by other names. Even Muslim scripture talks of God as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael etc.
I don’t know if Jesus would support yoga or anything else in my life for that matter. I don’t think the Bible (Old and New Testament), the Qur’an or any other holy book ever thought about accounting for changes in society (i.e. modern times) and I am not going to use scripture to support anything for several reasons, (1) Yes, I’d have to look it up, I don’t have any holy book memorized,(2) I don’t like taking pieces of something that was meant to be understood as a whole unit (i.e. taking things out of context) and (3) everyone has a different interpretation of what they read.
Yes, yoga is ancient, but in Western society today, it is largely used as an exercise regimen, not a spiritual practice. Even the preacher in your video clip who says Christians should not do yoga stated, “unless it is purely for exercise.” Yoga will not change my belief in God nor will it have any effect on my faith. I am secure in that, so I find no problem with doing it and that, I am sure, Jesus would support.
September 20th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
AirborneVet - I find your Yoga instructor’s response to be self-serving, to keep his job and you happy. Yoga was made for pagan purposes and if it’s about “god” it’s a false “god”. Nobody can make something for “God” (capital G) in developing something that was made for a false god. Yoga was NOT made for the worship of Jesus Christ or God the Father. It has no foundation in scripture, none. It was made for a false “god”.
Having studied all of those you noted above, I’ll inform you IT IS A LIE. No they are not all the same. There is One True God and it’s not the “god” of Buddhism or Islam. Judaism of today teaches that Jesus Christ is not the Son of God, making it false teaching too. Meaning, if you ain’t got Jesus the reward is damnation, period, John 14:6. None but Christianity relies on the sacrifice of Christ and His resurrection as the source of true salvation. You need to read the post Why President George W. Bush Honestly is Not a Christian. and avoid the same trap he’s in.
Islam teaches a false doctrine, because it teaches of another Jesus, take a slow read through 2 Corinthians 11. There is true doctrine and all else is false. No matter if they claim Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael etc. they deny the truth of salvation through Christ Jesus and Him alone.
Regarding claiming Yoga is just for “exercise”, you’re still dancing around 1 Timothy 4:8.
Yoga was made for reverence of a false god and Jesus is nowhere in that.