Elihu's Girl

Sorry to double post but... If your spirit is faithful to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit and you excersize using yoga poses... My comments are in bold within this quote... I hope this helps, felix eric Do any of you guys think that Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8 apply to this discussion?

"Physical Yoga" is definitely NOT for mature christians. Are we as mature christians called to be Christ-like? If then, has Chirst or any of His disciples ever needed/resorted to "Physical Yoga" or any "physical practices/actions/lifestyles" of the "unbelievers/false religions" of their days? If they didn't, what makes you think we should? Did the early christians ever consult the ways of the "unbelievers" to keep themselves physically fit? I DON'T THINK SO! On the contrary, they taught the "unbelievers" how to live, to call, to worship and to serve the One and Only True Living God! Are we to do "Christian Yoga" just because it is "fashion" and it helps our physical bodies? Am I also to indulge myself into the "Physical Voodoo or any African Tribal Dance for their goddess" because it is good for my physical exercise? We need to "christianize" hinduism but not "hindusimize" christianity. If anyone wants to put on a NEW CLOTH, it should be the Hindus putting the CLOTH OF CHRISTIANITY, not the other way around! And that is something for mature christians only. Are you saying african dance is physical voodoo? But if I do an African dance to praise Jesus is that wrong? If I do the movements of yoga exercises without the Hindu religious aspects... that's wrong? Felix's post above says that Yoga is an anti-Christian philosophy. Can a specific movement be a philosophy? Or is the combination of a movement and a belief a philosophy? The Hindu Yoga-believers in the article up for discussion seemed to think that Yoga separated from the Hindu belief system (Christian Yoga) was not Yoga at all... Why do you think they felt this way? I'd say that when the Hindu/anti-christian philosophy of yoga is replaced by a Christian philosophy, the movements of yoga become Christian. If you do yoga chanting bible verses and praising Jesus... that's wrong?

Wonderful post! Thank you and God bless!

Can you practise the physical aspects of Yoga without the mind numbing/mind emptying aspects? I say that you can. I say that for Sarah in the article, putting her mind in neutral and chanting was what made her uncomfortable with yoga in the first place... So she took out the Hindu aspects and uses it as a way to focus on faith, focus on Christ, build faith in Christ, explore faith in Christ. This is something for mature christians only.

I think you should educate yourself on the pitfalls of yoga, qigong and auras. So you can find Christian ways to avoid them. You definitely shouldn't go into these practises blind. Be on guard. If they start to interfere with your relationship with Christ, abandon them. This goes for anything though... I agree! For people who already participate in yoga if it doesn't interfere with Christ's position of first place in your life (make sure that it doesn't) then I'd say the idea of Christian Yoga is useful to you. Now you have effective ways to put yourself on guard during yoga. Rather than chanting the Hindu phrases, you can chant bible verses etc. You have gone straight to the heart of the matter. The answer to the question comes from Christians like Susan Bordenkircher, who was uncomfortable as a Christian with the Hindu teachings of yoga but loved the physical discipline of yoga. She found a way to reject the false teachings of yoga but keep the physical discipline. The yoga scholars in the article were outraged and said Christian yoga isn't yoga at all. Well that's perfect. Sarah B. didn't want to practice yoga as it is in Hinduism anyway, she wanted to practice Christianity and exercise using the physical poses in yoga. That's great. I would say that Christian Yoga is good for Christians who really like Yoga but really don't like the Hinduism. If you're not sure, I'd say don't do it. There are very real pitfalls within Hindu Yoga and if you already know mysticism, world religions etc. may cause you to stumble in your faith you should probably stay away from Christian yoga, it may be a bridge taking you into a false religion. So be on guard. If you are a Christian for whom world religions have no appeal, if you already do yoga and it does not come between you and Christ, again I say Christian Yoga is a great resource for you to further introduce your christian beliefs into this enjoyable method of exercise. Key quotes from the article.

A lot of my secular role models have been activists or had a spirit of activism (writing about it, singing about it). I'm reading Isaiah now and in many ways the bible, Jesus has a spirit of activism. Several of his statements incite his followers to be champions of the poor, widows and bring justice to those treated unjustly. What are some of the pitfalls of activism? I know that secular activism can be very focused on this world while as Christians we should remember that Heaven is our Home. I'd just like to hear what everyone has to say about this... to help me get it together in my own mind. Hopefully some of you will understand what I'm asking... I'm not quite sure I do ... but this has been on my mind. I'm reaching a place in my faith where I am constantly being urged toward a more active faith. I'm thinking about volunteering in my community etc. I just don't want to derail into a secular ideal of activism...

Yes. Psalm 51:5, Genesis 8:21

I think it's more profitable to come together in love and the things we do agree on.

I agree. I think it's still hard sometimes to adjust to the fact that God sees a bigger picture than us... We wonder why things happen the way they do etc. It's hard to trust God sometimes... Rome was just a symptom of the bigger problem. Sin.

I just think it's important to remember that there is power in the Word of God beyond our human capabilities and the Holy Spirit can succeed where we fail. Maybe someone we confuse with a complex analysis of the bible will be motivated to ask questions about the bible in their own lives. Maybe the Spirit of God can use that experience to teach them that the bible is more complex than a bunch of tired cliches... who knows? I think it is beneficial to focus on the work of the Holy Spirit when evangelizing... When someone comes to know Christ it's not because of us, it's because of the Holy Spirit working in that person. That said praying for discernment, staying in the Word and chatting about it with other Christians is great too!

hahahaha!

Very cool. I attend a small Lutheran Church. It is Missouri Synod Lutheran... In my neighborhood. It is very small and most of the members are older people. It is the church I was brought up in... Only recently (in the last year) have I really begun to think about being actively involved with church. We've gotten a new pastor, a vacancy pastor who is on fire for Christ and so... we are really growing spiritually. It's a little hard because there aren't many people my age. I'm thinking about visiting other churches for fellowship and bible study... I love my little church and I think that we can really make a difference in the community. I sort of agree with my grandmother that you shouldn't have to pass 12 churches to get to your church. So I'm thinking of visiting some of the other churches in the community. I don't think of different denominations, different church buildings as being in competition really. I think of it more as a team effort. The more the merrier. There are things I need... so I'm not fully satisfied with my church... but then again Christ is there as much as he would be at a larger church or in a youth group... so in that sense I am satisfied...

Hmm... Maybe it was just my translation... (NLT)

What does "each of you" refer to? I thought it meant in addition to Peter's failing, each of the disciples would be tempted and would fail in various ways.

Great thread. I've learned a lot guys... I've been thinking about infant baptism off and on... so thanks!

What does "each of you" refer to? But I have heard that about Judas wanting Jesus to assert his power and be an earthly king... I think it was suggested in the film Jesus of Nazareth... This possibility clears up the cloudiness of Judas' remorse and suicide for me. Yeah, I'd heard of this before... again... I think it was in the film Jesus of Nazareth. But it makes a lot of sense scripturally (sp).

AMEN!

Satan entering Judas does not necessarily mean that Judas had no choice. John 13:2 ...the devil had already prompted Judas (the devil had already intended for Judas), son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus... There are several places where Judas is described as being promted, entered, etc by the devil before or while betraying Jesus. I don't think this necessarily has much to do with Judas' motives. Luke 22:31-32 Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers. This verse implies that Satan, just as with Job, approached God for permission to put the disciples through the ringer. When Peter denied Jesus three times, it may have been due to the influence of Satan but the motivation was self-preservation. When the disciples fell asleep at Gethsemene, when they later ran away and abandoned Jesus, it may have been due to the influence of Satan, but the motivation was sleepiness/tiredness/selfishness and self-preservaton. Matthew 16: 21-23 From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of the religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead. But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him (correct him) for saying such things. "Heaven forbid, Lord," he said. "This will never happen to you!" Jesus turned to Peter and said, "Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God's." Here, Peter's motivation is to reassure Jesus, to keep Jesus from thinking he has to go through anything so horrible... maybe comforting a friend, a teacher, a mentor was his motivation. But satan was using this to tempt Jesus. Satan was at work. This Link talks about Satan. He often works in subtle ways. When we turn away from God, from his will, from his commands, aren't we working for and with Satan? Aren't we serving Satan? John 6:70 Then Jesus said, "I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil." Why Judas? Why did Satan have so much hold over Judas and not any of the other disciples? My theory is that he was not on gaurd. He was fostering something in his heart, jealousy, envy towards Jesus, greed for recognition, for money... something. Some sin that gave Satan a way in. 1 Peter 5:8-9 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him and be strong in your faith... Luke 22:21-22 But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. For it has been determined that the Son of Man must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him. Matthew 26:23-24 He replied, "One of you who has eaten from this bowl with me will betray me. For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!" If Satan was in the driver's seat and Judas was taken along for the ride against his will... aren't the above verses a little harsh? Matthew 27:3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. "I have sinned," he declared, "for I have betrayed an innocent man." "What do we care?" they retorted. "That's your problem." Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself." Could it be that Judas didn't realize that Jesus would be executed? Did he not intend for Jesus to be killed? He knew Jesus was innocent so perhaps he thought Jesus would eventually be found innocent and he'd have the silver... But that doesn't make sense. How could he not know how corrupt they were? They were offering him a bribe to get an innocent man arrested. I guess he felt guilty. I'm guessing Judas was motivated by envy and greed.

I'm kinda in the same boat as you sunniapocalypse... I don't know much about Christian Music.... trying to get into it more... But I like Jennifer Knapp. Don't know if she's your cup o tea but she hasn't been mentioned so... Welcome to the boards by the way...

AMEN!

I recommend this book. It's by a Christian Youth Councilor. Don't be scared away by the title. You could read it yourself and pass along the important bits until you feel he is old enough. I feel sure that 13 is a great age to read this though. It talks about waiting to date until you are older and compares and contrasts the worldly view of dating to the godly view.

Thank you for your testimony brother Chad.

I have never heard or read anywhere that those who are not immersed at baptism go to hell. We don't seek to judge, but rather leave it up to the only One who will, Jesus Christ. However, it is our goal to follow the Bible and do it to the best of our ability. The Bible clearly shows that immersion is the proper way to baptize: -The word baptism comes from the Greek word bapto which means "to dip." There were other Greek words to indicate sprinkling, but God chose a word to indicate immersion. -Immersion is the only mode of baptism the Bible records. John the Baptist used the Jordan River (Mark 1:5, 9). John immersed Jesus: "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water" (Matthew 3:16). Philip immersed the Ethiopian eunuch: "They went down both into the water.... and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water" (Acts 8:38-39). -Paul used baptism to relate a burial with Christ, "Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4). No one is buried by sprinkling or pouring a little dirt on the body, by only by complete submergence. -Since Bible days, other forms of baptism have arisen, but the Bible never describes these forms. Sprinkling and pouring came about as a matter of convenience. Infant baptism, triple baptism by some trinitarians, and postponement of baptism until the deathbed (an attempt to live one's life in sin and still be saved) are all nonbiblical baptismal practices and made immersion even more inconvenient. Here are some reasons why the mode of baptism is important: -Baptism is a biblical command. Since the Bible puts so much emphasis on baptism, we should perform as close to the way the Bible describes it. -Jesus was immersed as an example for us to follow. It is worth doing the way Jesus and His apostles did it. -Other modes of baptism were invented from nonbiblical tradition. Jesus condemned tradition fervently when it caused a deviation from God's Word (Mark 7:8; Matthew 15:6). -The only advantage sprinkling has is convenience and is a poor excuse for not following the Bible. -Immersion demonstrates obedience to God and respect for His Word. -Only by immersion do we retain the significance of baptism as a burial with Christ. I hope this answers your question! Yes it does, thank you! I've thought about this before and I feel that it would be disrepectful of me to get rebaptised. Disrespectful of God somehow. I was sprinkled as a baby in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and I have passed the point where I have dedicated my life to God, died to sin and been reborn. What is your opinion Chad? And others... Do you think I should be rebaptised in order to follow Jesus as closely as I can or trust the working that the holy spirit has already done in my life? I feel queasy and uneasy when I consider being rebaptised by immersion. Almost as if it would be sacreligous. Sometimes though I feel doubt... it would be awfully romantic to be immersed in water as though dead and submerged and then to reimmerge a new person!!! Very cool. But still... I feel that this would be more to gratify man than to gratify God or a spiritual need within me. Also I feel that all the things Chad mentions in regards to faith, Chad isn't the Christian walk a growing process. When a seed is planted, under the ground things are happening, even before there is outward evidence. Don't you think faith can be like that? In the beginning stages of faith it may be more about schooling worldly thoughts and personal behaviors than going out and doing showy works. That person may need to be nurtured in faith to grow to the point where they are doers of the word. I know that at certain points where my faith was shaky, being told I wasn't really saved if I didn't do certain things would have shut me down. So maybe it's more about growth for some, rather than an instant transformation into a gung ho disciple. I mean how many times did Jesus turn to his disciples and ask them why they had so little faith? It's a growth process.

Ooooooooooooooh! Wow!

Thank you for your posts! I completely understand and agree with the restrictions on the Bible Study section I just wanted to clarify that I wasn't trying to bend the rules...