Reclaiming the Diversity of Spiritual Practice

Recently, there was an article posted by Dr. Albert Mohler on his blog that discussed Christian participation in the practice of yoga. He cites Stefanie Syman's book The Subtle Body: The Story of Yoga in America as being a "masterpiece of cultural history," and uses it as support for his comments on the issue. Mohler seems primarily concerned with educating Christians on the origins of yoga, which he then states is completely incompatible with Christianity. His stance on the issue is made most clear in this quote: "When Christians practice yoga, they must either deny the reality of what yoga represents or fail to see the contradictions between their Christian commitments and their embrace of yoga." Mohler fears syncretism and warns against a "'post-Christian, spiritually polyglot' reality."

Not long after its original posting, the Associate Press picked up on the post, and wrote an article that found its way onto the Yahoo news feed, as well as the front page of Greensboro's own News & Record. That article shed a little more light on Mohler's thoughts by highlighting a criticism and Mohler's response: "Mohler said many people have written him to say they're simple doing exercises and forgoing yoga's eastern mysticism and meditation. 'My response to that would be simple and straightforward: You're just no doing yoga,' Mohler said." In addition, Mohler himself wrote a second blog responding to the major publicity.

Let's pause there a second. My first objection at the time I first read the AP article, was what is the issue? At first it seemed to be any and all things yoga and Christians associating with it, but then the last bit about exercise made it seem like it was okay if people didn't fully participate in yoga. So are they just to call it something else? Is this all just an exercise in categorical titles? The tone in his blog posts told me otherwise. The posts are accusational, presumptuous, and condescending. While I originally intended to write this entire post rebutting his points, I find that John Mark Reynolds does a superb job in his article, found here. (Thanks to Randy for sending me that link.) Instead, I wish to highlight something that is lurking beneath the surface.

Our world today favors energetic, outgoing, technologically savvy people. In a globalized economy, business happens fast and it is constant, and so businessmen and businesswomen must be swift and consistently attentive to their jobs. Those who lag behind are beat out by their competitors. The church favors the same sorts of people. It likes the people who engage in small groups, youth groups, Sunday school, mercy ministry, children's ministry, picnics, Bible study, church meetings, etc., etc., etc. There is a major problem with this, and I would argue especially in the conservative Christian community. Believers are encouraged to go to church and the programs it offers, read the Bible, pray, and keep a journal. At least those are the four things I was told to do for my spiritual life, and I have a hunch that many of you have had similar experiences. Other practices (i.e., meditation, walking labyrinths, creation care activities, yoga, chanting, etc.) are often associated with liberal Christianity. Let's face it, liberal Christianity has adopted buzzwords like "progressive," "ecumenical," and "forward-thinking," and the rest of the world agrees. Why? I believe it is because the people are allowed to be themselves and to explore a spiritually diverse world.

In the October 2010 issue of Psychology Today, Dr. Laurie Helgoe reports that 50% of Americans are introverts. 50%!!! Why doesn't our culture reflect that statistic? Why doesn't our church culture reflect that statistic? Instead, we are asked to go out, get plugged in, get connected, meet more people, do more things, do do do, go go go. The truth is, there is so much more in a spiritual life than that. Jesus Himself is recorded as having withdrawn from the masses on plenty of occasions. There is a real need for solitude, silence, meditation, reflection. Why wasn't my good friend who loves to just ponder told about the guided meditations that are out there? Why wasn't he told about the desert fathers and mothers of the Christian faith? Why wasn't my girlfriend who loves animals and nature told about St. Francis of Assisi and his sermons to the birds? Why wasn't she encouraged to see that as connecting with God and the living Word of Creation? Why wasn't I told about the musical traditions of our rich Christian history? Why were we asked to join a 300 member strong youth group instead? Right now, the far left of Christianity are welcoming these things with open arms, and perhaps too loosely, leaning towards syncretism. But on the other side, people like Dr. Albert Mohler are publicly criticizing a large Christian demographic and drawing lines in the sand. Who feels loved by that? His comment of, "These people get bent out of shape fast" (emphasis mine) really caught my attention. These people? That is instant "us and them" talk. In the AP article: "I'm really surprised by the depth of the commitment to yoga found on the part of many who identify as Christians." Who identify as Christians?!?! I can think of an infinite number of BETTER ways to approach this issue.

But this is only one example of who conservative Christian churches, leaders, and other communities are failing believers all across America and even the world. We have got to reclaim this rich myriad of spiritual practice. It can be done Biblically, theologically, and for the spreading of the Gospel. We have to be willing to engage culture in a way that is accepting, open, and loving without compromising the integrity of Scripture and doctrine. There are millions of people searching, yearning for a personal spiritual life, and the sad part is that many are already in church every Sunday. We cannot force people into spiritual activity that blatantly conflicts with their personality. God desires to know us, not as a human race, but as individuals. Mohler is right on one thing: spiritual practice should never become the end in itself, we should always be focused on Jesus. But I believe there is a lot of freedom in how that relationship develops and is sustained.

This is my stand. I will not allow comments like this to permeate the airwaves, printing press, and cyberspace and alienate millions of believers. Please join with me in reclaiming the lost spiritual practices that can help bring the other half of America into deeper relationship with Christ. Help me reach those who dread being called on in a Bible study. Help me reach those who aren't fueled by social gatherings. There is a place for every single type of person in the Kingdom, so let's stop closing doors and start opening conversation. I don't know exactly how it will look, but it's starting now. Who better than me and you? What better time than now?

Thank you Al Mohler for the inspiration you have given me. I know this probably isn't what you intended, but the Lord works in mysterious ways.