Doug P And J. Mac on Yoga- pt 2

I want to write more later today on some boundary issues I've been thinking about that tie in here, but for now, here's comment I posted on the Pulpit Magazine website- a John MacArthur joint that posted the below video of Doug and Dr. MacArthur commenting on yoga.
My comment follows many "anti" and a few "pro"... and even a few by Doug himself wading into the midst of the lion's den!

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(While I'm not sure if this is also a Phil Johnson joint, I'm thinking maybe. I guess we'll see if my lifetime ban for the "cheap shot" of referring to John MacArthur as "Johnny Mac" applies across the entire internets or is limited to the Team Pyro site)... Anyway, I start with a quote from earlier in the comment thread...

“I find it heartbreaking when someone allows the practices of a religion that denies Christ as Savior into a building designed to worship Him.”

Me too– that’s why I’ve abandoned Easter and Christmas, and everything related to them, refuse to use words like “Thursday” and “Saturday” because of their pagan origins and…

Oh wait. I didn’t do that.
And I’ll bet neither have you.

While I would like to have heard Doug (who I consider a friend!) make a statement about some kind of boundaries (”Of course, often Hindu spirituality IS woven into yoga and that should be avoided by those following Jesus”) I’m basically with him. Simply because people who don’t follow Jesus meditate doesn’t mean I can’t if I’m meditating on the right thing. Ditto prayer, serving the poor, and in my opinion yoga.

For me, yoga is a great means of stretching and exercise (which, looking at the average American Pew-Potato, we could all use a bit more of) and more importantly, a time of prayer- a time to prostrate myself before God, focus on the words of the Bible I have just read and PRAY.

We don’t need to abandon every practice simply because of non-christian origins. We redeem them. Some practices may be antithetical to the gospel and need to be avoided all together, but MacArthur and others here have failed to make that case as regards yoga. I especially love the guys who claim that Paul’s eating-meat-sacrificed-to-idols argument is basically anti-yoga- when he says clearly “For why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks? If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it?” His point is to protect the consciences of weaker Christians…

So
1. You claiming that I can’t do yoga puts you in the position of “weaker brother”. If that’s where you want to be, okay… but most who push an anti-yoga agenda do so because they think they are more mature and “discerning.”
2. Paul’s argument would lead me to believe that it’s wrong for me to try to get you to participate with me. Also, for me to do it in front of you? Probably not great since your conscience is weak in this area. But for you to forbid me from doing yoga stretches as I pray?
“Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.”

I want those who criticize this practice on the basis of “pagan origins” to put up or shut up. Are you willing to never again have a Christmas tree? To never use the phrase “Easter” or “Wednesday”?

If not, if you actually believe that such pagan practices can be redeemed and turned towards the worship of the one true God, how about a little benefit of the doubt here?

All in all, though I think he negated it with comments later in the video, I actually agree with Dr. MacArthur: “Well, that would depend on how the yoga is conducted. If it’s just purely exercise and you’re a strong Christian, it probably wouldn’t have any impact on your faith”

Update: Here's a great comment that in true "online discernment ministry" fashion got moderated... but survives on the blog of the commenter. Good arguments against those who say any yoga at all is verbotten for the Christian

Comments

[Heather Fischer]

"I especially love the guys who claim that Paul’s eating-meat-sacrificed-to-idols argument is basically anti-yoga- when he says clearly “For why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks? If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it?” His point is to protect the consciences of weaker Christians…"

I actually thought this passage does just the opposite of what the MacArthur camp might say. The passage clearly identifies that eating meat offered to an idol is not an issue in and of its self- but give consideration to those who are weaker. Perhaps some of these men would stumble into false idol worship should they do a downward dog :)

[seeker]

Thanks for the mention.