Adam was a super being when God created him. I don't know whether people realize this, but he was the first Superman that really ever lived. First of all, the Scriptures declare clearly that he had dominion over the fowls of the air, the fish of the sea - which means he used to fly. Of course, how can he have dominion over the birds and not be able to do what they do? The word 'dominion' in the Hebrew clearly declares that if you have dominion over a subject, that you do everything that subject does. In other words, that subject, if it does something you cannot do, you don't have dominion over it. I'll prove it further. Adam not only flew, he flew to space. He was - with one thought he would be on the moon." -- Benny Hinn
News: Christians and Yoga
Posted on Tuesday, October 16 @ 12:25:18 PDT by Virgil
CNN recently hosted a short discussion on Yoga between Doug Pagitt and John MacArthur. MacArthur is suggesting that practicing Yoga is dangerous for the Christian faith and for the walk of believers. What do you think and what is your approach to this debate? (Watch video clip below)
Re: Christians and Yoga (Score: 1) by davo on Friday, October 19 @ 22:23:39 PDT (User Info | Send a Message)
MacArthur says: "Why would Christians want to borrow an expression from a false religion, from pantheism…". Maybe, just maybe, some of those ancient folks created by God and in His image just happened to hit on the reality that certain patterns of exercise have bodily benefit – of which we are told that a healthy body makes for a healthy minds. Now perhaps in their ignorance such folks then attributed such healthiness to some "other" and felt such healthiness extended to areas beyond the physical. By MacArthur's own words such physical practices are no concern for "a strong Christian" – SO, if some believers get bent up over this issue then those that consider themselves more mature [strong] might accommodate the less mature and reassure them that they are not going to hell in a hand basket by getting fit.
I once had a consultation with a doctor who was a Hindu – believe it or not, but his medical approach was the same as a "Christian" physician I had previously seen.
What am I saying? This is much ado about nothing, that's JMO of course.
Re: Christians and Yoga (Score: 1) by Ed on Wednesday, October 17 @ 11:10:26 PDT (User Info | Send a Message)
The far right fundamentalists of the Church would have us fearful and cowering before the "demons of hell." We preterists of all people should be the last to fear anything. The Perfect One dwells within us; we should have no fear of demons, devils, ghouls, ghosts or goblins. None of these things can hurt us.
While idolatry was condemned in the bible, we are told repeatedly that they are nothing but silent and lifeless objects - not gods at all. The "spirituality" that accompanies yoga is non-threatening to someone who "dwells in the secret place of the Most High God." There are no demons to fear - no gods of pantheism. We do not need to fear "satan," other than the ones who bring condemnation and accusation upon us - in spite of what Christ did for us.
Re: Christians and Yoga (Score: 1) by mazuur on Wednesday, October 17 @ 05:57:07 PDT (User Info | Send a Message)
It seems to me that everyone here doesn't understand what Yoga is.
A simple Google search yielded this as a definition
"yoga is a method of joining the individual self with the Divine, Universal Spirit, or Cosmic Consciousness. Physical and mental exercises are designed to help achieve this goal, also called self-transcendence or enlightenment."
And this "Divine, Universal Spirit, or Cosmic Consciousness" is not the God of the Bible. Under Yoga this is pantheism. The universal spirit that consist of all matter, including you, which is why you can connect and become one with it. I don't need connection with that false spirit thank you. I prefer Christ.
Now it seems to me, you are borrowing some exercises (stretching) from Yoga and exercising. That isn't Yoga, that is "working out". That is like claiming that someone in England who were to eat some Turkey for dinner one night is celebrating Thanksgiving?
As far as MacArthur goes, if you would actually take the time and listen to him, he clearly differentiates between exercise and Yoga. To engage in Yoga is not to merely exercise. It is to become one with the universal spirit that Hinduism teaches. That is what MacArthur was speaking to, and that is incompatible with Christianity.
Can't believe I actually came to the defense of MacArthur, but he was addressing Yoga (not what you all seem to be trying to claim as Yoga) and he was right.
Re: Christians and Yoga (Score: 1) by Ivan on Wednesday, October 17 @ 04:43:21 PDT (User Info | Send a Message)
If the yoga practiced by Christians is devoid of Hindu connections, why not call it Christian Calisthenics and avoid the controversy.
On a more serious note, the issue of yoga for Christians seems to belong to the category of adiaphora, matters of indifference, a subject addressed by Paul in Romans 14. If this is correct, Paul would regard Christians who see nothing wrong with yoga as the strong and the others as the weak. The strong, he says, should not look down on the weak, and the weak should not condemn the strong.
Some of the correspondents on this issue may need to read Paul's take on the matter for themselves.
I am a Christian and a regular practicer (er)? of Yoga.. John MacAuthur is a disgrace to Christianity. I can testify that there is nothing "dangerous" in practicing Yoga. It has helped me tremendously! John doesn't know it, but his false doctrines lead to all kinds of worthless opinions. KD
Re: Christians and Yoga (Score: 1) by mazuur on Tuesday, October 16 @ 12:55:06 PDT (User Info | Send a Message)
I agree with MacArthur (wow did I just say that?). The definition of Yoga says it all.
"...teaching the suppression of all activity of body, mind, and will in order that the self may realize its distinction from them and attain liberation"
Re: Christians and Yoga (Score: 1) by Paige on Tuesday, October 16 @ 13:15:52 PDT (User Info | Send a Message)
How do I begin?
First off, I would ask if John MacArthur has a Christmas tree in his home (and/or church) on Dec. 25Th. Does he get up and speak to his congregation from behind a podium? There are numerous (too many to list here) elements within traditional christianity that have been borrowed from pagan religions of old. We are speaking about a religion that has almost completely divorced itself from its eastern roots. So much so, that anything arising from the east is looked at as contrary to believers, while all western paganism is swallowed whole. The blatant hypocrisy is problematic to me to say the least. Thats about all I'll say on that particular point.
Secondly, I don't expect John MacArthur to take kindly to the idea that one can experience "wholeness" this side of the grave (or the supposed 2nd coming), as his whole theology is "carrot on a stick". The best one can hope for, according to this view, is to tough it out here on earth as its the closest thing to hell a "believer" is going to experience. Abundant life is "pie in the sky in the sweet bye and bye", and anyone reaching/striving/seeking something different is just grasping for the wind.
Thirdly, John MacArthur represents within the interview, the dualism that continues to plague the religion of christianity. What do I mean? Well, the result of Christ's victory is that God no longer dwells in temples made of hands, but rather God dwells in us. Yet, to search within for God is outright heresy! Why? Because God doesn't really dwell in us? He's (JM)locked within the systematic theology of Calvinism which purports that nothing good dwells in man, so how can we ever look inside for good, or God? He's there, but not really! (This is not to say that Arminianism holds the answer either, BTW.) This is but one small example of dualism, and it is deeply entrenched.
"People, just hold on and keep praying for God to get us out of this hell, and the next one." If thats the best we have to offer our fellow brothers and sisters, I'm not surprised to find them plugging their nose and walking the other way.
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