Can a Christian practice Yoga?

Yoga, which once used to be a phenomenon of Eastern religions, has become an universal lifestyle. Studies have shown that even in a predominantly Christian population like that of the U.S, about 20% of people regularly practice Yoga and other versions of it. In many schools in the U.S, practice of Yoga have become very common. Doctors also recommend them as an ‘alternative’ therapy for many illnesses like schizophrenia, heart diseases etc.

Many of the yoga practitioners claim it to be a ‘science’ just like physics or mathematics. Most of them say it is nothing religious and just an exercise. But there are New Age Movements like Transcendental Meditation etc., which claims Yoga to be a spiritual exercise.

So what exactly is Yoga? Is it just an exercise for relaxing our body or a spiritual worship of a deity? So before I talk about the Christian view of Yoga, I would like to say a few things about Yoga.

What is Yoga?

The word ‘Yoga’ is derived from a Sanskrit vedic text which means, ‘to add’, ‘to join’ or ‘to attach’. According to ‘Art of Living’, Yoga is ‘a complete way of living which includes philosophy, path of devotional bliss, path of blissful action, path of mind control which is called ‘asanas’. Let me explain to you the background of Yoga in Hindu philosophy. Hinduism is a pantheistic religion according to which everyone and everything is god. In Hindu traditions, man can become god if he is able to attain the higher wisdom or ‘spirituality’ to unite with ‘Brahma’ which is the greatest manifestation of god likeness. This Brahma is not a person but just a phenomenon or power. To become a god, man has to activate his ‘chakras’ to attain highest form of life in the next incarnation. This can be done through various ‘means’ also called as ‘karma’. For example, some attain through worship of various gods in the temples also called ‘Bhakt’, some through doing social service called ‘dharma’ etc. One of the means to attain the higher spirituality is ‘Yoga’. If you do various yoga ‘asanas’ or ‘postures’, you would be more and more closer to the higher spirituality which would enable you to ‘improve’ your karma thereby attaining higher ‘god’ likeness. These postures are designed in such a way that they represent the form of worship to various Hindu gods.

Is Yoga and Christianity compatible?

Though science has shown some health benefits in doing yoga, it is still a mystery as in how those benefits happen. For example, there are proven scientific principle on how weight reduction will reduce the incidence of heart attacks. There are no such scientific principle in Yoga. With this in mind, let us see the problems of Yoga:

1) Inherent goodness of man:

Since Yoga is derived from Hindu philosophy, it is based on a worldview which believes that man is inherently ‘good’. But Bible
clearly says that men are all sinful.

"None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. (Rom 3:10-11)”

From the sages of the Ganges to the celebrities in Hollywood, all human beings are sinners and all are bad people. This truth is denied in yoga.

2) Our ‘self’ is the ultimate end of the universe:

Yoga also claims that man can find answers by himself from within his mind. He is not dependent on others and he is not accountable to God. All he needs to do is to improve his spirituality. But Bible says that man has been made for the glory of God and he is absolutely dependent on God for his living.

"Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created." (Rev 4:11)

'In him (God) we live and move and have our being'(Act 17:28)

This is in contrast to the claims of yoga, where they teach us that we ourselves are gods. Even Satan tempted Eve saying the same thing. Listen to the words of Satan:

For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (Gen 3:5)

So yoga involves the idolatry of self.

3) Emptying our thoughts:

Yogic meditation emphases in making our minds empty without thinking anything. This is exactly opposite to what Bible teaches. Jesus makes his disciples to think by giving questions and parables to understand the kingdom of God. Biblical meditation means to think about what God has told us through Scriptures. Listen to what Paul says on Christian meditation:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Phi 4:8)

And God also warns us not to keep our mind empty which would make us even more evil and destroy our soul (Luke 11:26)

4) Asanas or ‘postures’ give peace of mind:

Yoga asanas are done to unite the mind and soul with the Brahma, which would give peace to that person who is doing it. This ‘peace’ is different from the peace which Bible promises for a Christian. For us, peace means ‘salvation’. It means that once we were enemies of God and because of the reconciliation of Christ for our sins with the Father, we have peace with God and we are now treated as children of God.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom 5:1)

Since these principles of yoga are in inherent contradiction with what Scripture teaches, a Bible believing Christian should not practice yoga. If he does so, then it means he is disobeying Christ and he is worshipping another god.

Can a Christian then do only the physical exercise part of Yoga and not get involved in Spiritual aspect of it?

Many well-known yoga gurus have clearly said that the physical and the mental part of yoga cannot be separated. There are two reasons why a Christian should not do the ‘stretching’ and physical exercise part of yoga without the spiritual part:

1) Yogic asanas and postures are based on Hindu Philosophy. These postures are designed not based on scientific reasons but based on the forms of worship of Hindu deities. So even if there is health benefits in it, it can be mostly due to demonic influence.

2) Since the theory behind these physical exercises is based on a pagan worship, Scripture forbids such actions.

"When you come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. (Deu 18:9)

3) Doing physical yoga alone is logically not possible. If a scientist says that he believes in Creation but he would do his biological research based on evolution, then it means he is actually not believing in creation since his actions are not in accordance to what he believes in.  A Christian should love the Lord with the renewing of mind and his faith should be shown in actions.

So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (Jam 2:17)

Thus if a person claims to be a Christian, he should not practice yoga. Yoga cannot give the peace and satisfaction which God has promised us to give through the Scriptures. Let us not walk in darkness as the unbelievers do by doing yoga but rather walk in Christ.

For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
(Eph 5:8)

If you have liked this, you may also read Is it Ethical to practice Euthanasia?

Is it Ethical to practice Euthanasia?

Euthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to alleviate pain and suffering. It has been made legal in some countries like Belgium and Netherlands. Do we have the right to take another man’s life just to reduce pain?

There are many congenital and chromosomal anomalies which can result in Fetal malformations. Some diseases like anencephaly are too complicated that there is almost 0% chance that they would survive after birth. In such case, is it ethical to terminate such pregnancy before the heart stops beating?

Before we go on to the answer, let us remember that only through Scripture can we derive biblical ethics. And Scripture is sufficient for all the answers related to life and morality (2Tim 3:16,17)

According to Scripture, life of man starts at conception (Psa 139:13, Jer 1:5). So a fertilised ovum is fully human with a distinct body and soul, made in the image of God just like anyone else. Since the fall, all mankind has been suffering with disease and sickness. Even all these congenital malformations are all due to that. So a malformed fetus is no less human than a normal fetus.

And in Gen 9:4, God says, “"Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.” Only God can take a man’s life because God created man in His image. 

And only in case of capital punishment (Rom 13:1-5), God has given men who are governing, the permission to take another man’s life.

With this in mind, let us look at another passage and compare with our present scenario:

David said to him, "Where do you come from?" And he said to him, "I have escaped from the camp of Israel." And David said to him, "How did it go? Tell me." And he answered, "The people fled from the battle, and also many of the people have fallen and are dead, and Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead." Then David said to the young man who told him, "How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?" And the young man who told him said, "By chance I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and there was Saul leaning on his spear, and behold, the chariots and the horsemen were close upon him. And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called to me. And I answered, 'Here I am.' And he said to me, 'Who are you?' I answered him, 'I am an Amalekite.' And he said to me 'Stand beside me and kill me, for anguish has seized me, and yet my life still lingers.' So I stood beside him and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after he had fallen. And I took the crown that was on his head and the armlet that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord." Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him. And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son and for the people of the LORD and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. And David said to the young man who told him, "Where do you come from?" And he answered, "I am the son of a sojourner, an Amalekite." David said to him, "How is it you were not afraid to put out your hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?" Then David called one of the young men and said, "Go, execute him." And he struck him down so that he died. And David said to him, "Your blood be on your head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, 'I have killed the LORD's anointed.'"
(2Sa 1:3-16)

If you look at the previous chapter, Saul was mortally wounded and he committed suicide. Though the 

incident which was told by Amalekite was a made-up story, let us look at verse 9,10: And he said to me 

'Stand beside me and kill me, for anguish has seized me, and yet my life still lingers.' So I stood beside him and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after he had fallen. And I took the crown that was on his head and the armlet that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord." (2Sa 1:9-10)

He ‘took’ the life of Saul to alleviate his sufferings. He would have been the first to give euthanasia if this story were true. But David punished him with capital punishment because he killed a man who was made in the image of God, who was also anointed by God.

So it is unethical to take another man’s life even if he is suffering from pain because God has not given us authority to take another man’s life to relieve his pain. Even if the patient willingly gives permission to take his life, doctors have no authority to take his life, because God created man and only God has the right to take his life. So euthanasia is unethical. In case of fetal malformations also, the same principle applies. We can terminate the pregnancy only if the fetal heartbeat stops spontaneously, because if we do so before that, then it is murder no matter how noble our intentions are.

If you have liked this, you can also read Can a Christian practice Yoga?

Miracles and Medicine

All of us have had illness and poor health at some point of time. Disease and Death prevail all living creature because of fall of man. There are so many views on sickness present among both Christians and others. Some belief systems like Scientology and also some Christian groups believe that going to doctors is a sin and we need to believe in God/higher power to get healed. Steve Jobs, a prominent entrepreneur and the founder of Apple Inc., believed in this theory and did not get treated for his cancer and eventually succumbed to death. Whereas some do not believe in miracles and supernatural healing but rather trusting only on doctors and physicians like people who believe in Cessationism and most of the atheists. So if you are a Christian, believing in the finished work of Christ on the cross, and if you are sick, how should we react? Should we have to go to a doctor or just need to pray to get healed?

Let me address the common misconceptions in each of the headings and try to give a biblical explanation for the same:

Misconception 1: We should not use medicines to get our disease treated

There are ample instances where medicine were used in a positive way all throughout Scripture. There are many verses that speak of using “medical treatments” such as applying bandages (Isaiah 1:6), oil (James5:14), oil and wine (Luke 10:34), leaves (Ezekiel 47:12), wine (1 Timothy5:23), and salves, particularly the “balm of Gilead” (Jeremiah 8:22). Also, Luke, the author of Acts and the Gospel of Luke, is referred to by Paul as “the beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14). Paul explicitly admonishes Timothy in 1Timothy 5:23 to take wine for the sake of his stomach ailments.

The most common verse which is used to support this view is in 2Chro 16:12, “In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet, and his disease became severe. Yet even in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but sought help from physicians.” But if you look at the passage closely, the reason why Asa sinned against the Lord is not because he took medicines and sought help only from the physicians and not seeking the Lord also in healing of the disease.

We should remember that “For the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof." (1Co 10:26). There is nothing in this earth which is apart from God. God created everything and He is the one who is sustaining it. Even the medical knowledge which he has given for the physicians is of the Lord and the medicines and treatment which they give is also from the Lord. So ultimately we should trust in the Lord for the healing of our sickness and also use these medical means which He has graciously given us.  

Misconception 2: Miraculous healing does not happen now

Many atheistic people would have such view. Unfortunately even in Christian circles among the affluent and cessationistic group are having such views. Bible have ample number of examples where God has miraculously healed people through supernatural means. Can God heal through miracles now? Jesus has promised to ALL disciples that he would give Spiritual gifts after He is taken up to heaven (Mar 16:16,17). And the first century Christians also proved it. There are no verses in the Bible which says that the miracles and the spiritual gifts would cease to exist rather Paul says to, “earnestly desire spiritual gifts” in 1Cor 14:1. And God gives different spiritual gifts to believers for the sake of common good of church (1Cor 12:7). So we can still expect miraculous supernatural healing in our lives.

Does generational curse exist now? Can someone be sick because of curses? Bible says in many places that God would curse and inflict sickness upon disobedience to His commands (Exodus 20:5). But when we are becoming a Christian, then we are new creation (2Cor 5:17). Bible also says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom 8:1). So when we are in Christ we are not cursed rather God has already put all those curses in Christ for the sake of us. So we don’t need to be afraid of generational curses.

Misconception 3:  God will heal all the diseases in our body if we are becoming a Christian:

If we are Christians, would God heal all our sickness? We believe that God is sovereign and all powerful and there is nothing too difficult for him. Yet this does not mean that all our sickness should be healed. God may allow us to go through these trials and diseases to understand His grace and mercy even more. For example, Paul was afflicted with a disease for which he repeatedly prayed to God, yet God chose to not to heal him. Let us see the reaction of Paul for it:

So to keep me from being too elated by the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2Co 12:7-10)

God used Paul's disease to know more about His grace and mercy that Paul had experienced even though he was suffering with a disease to keep him humble and also to depend on God’s grace only not trusting upon his own health. Thus God may choose use the diseases for the sake of our own spiritual growth so that we would love God even more in such darkest days of our lives.

True Healing:

Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1Ti 4:7-8)

Paul here says that bodily training is of some value. He does not say that there is no use if our body is healthy. If God is calling you to be a missionary to Himalayas, you have to be physically fit to go to that place and minister. But that does not mean that we should spend all our energy in concentrating in our bodies to be fit. Rather we should concentrate more on our spiritual sanctification and try to be more and more holy and blameless so that we would be more close to God. Paul uses the word ‘train’ in godliness because spiritual holiness and righteous living comes with regular practice. If we are holy, that would be a guard rail for most of the sickness. For example, it has been scientifically proven that Smoking and alcohol can itself be a direct cause of many chronic illness in lungs, liver and heart. Gluttons, people who are obsessed with over eating are prone to develop diseases like Stroke, Coronary Artery Diseases and Obesity. There are numerous sexually transmitted diseases like HIV, Syphilis for which the most common cause would be marital unfaithfulness. Even the present Health Minister of India, Dr. Harsh Vardhan acknowledged that. Many psychiatric illness can be traced to sinfulness in the patients.

In conclusion, I would like to leave you with these:

1)     It is biblical to take medicines from a doctor for the sake of our diseases by thanking God and trusting Him that He would heal us through the means of the treatment if it is God’s will.

2)      It is biblical to also believe in miraculous healing through a believer in Christ and God can heal a person through miraculous means if He wills.

3)      We have to concentrate both on our physical and our spiritual health. But top priority should be given for our spiritual health.

So as a Christian and a medical doctor, it is my heartfelt desire that you would grow more and more close to God and grow in holiness and trust in God in everything even in the midst of sickness.

If you have liked this, you can also read Cessationism and Unbelief