Despite concerns that Eastern spiritual practices undermine Christian teachings, Synod 2013 declined to authorize a study of them.
Delegates turned down a request from Classis Grand Rapids South to appoint a study committee on yoga, martial arts, and other practices rooted in Eastern religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism.
Some Christian Reformed congregations use karate to connect with their communities, and Christian groups use yoga to deepen relationships with Christ, the classis request noted. It argued, “We must seek truth about their spiritual impact on the church and congregants.”
Several delegates forcefully urged a study, saying Eastern faiths and practices are widespread in their communities.
“This situation that’s being talked about is extremely insidious,” said elder Mick Vanden Bosch, Classis Iakota. “They’re doing mystical Eastern religion, healing touch-type things that may seem innocuous, but the devil’s behind this.”
Ethnic advisor Beverly De Vries said that yoga has been taught in her community’s Christian school without parents’ knowledge. “We need to seek out the root of where it’s coming from so we know what we’re up against,” De Vries said.
But Chadd Huizenga, a young adult representative, said he practices yoga to glorify Christ, adding, “Christ has reconciled all things to him, and yoga is not out of the sphere of reconciliation.”
Most agreed with an advisory committee that a study is not needed because there already are sufficient resources for churches to deal with the issue. Synod did encourage Monroe Community CRC-- originator of the overture--to create a task force to investigate eastern mystical practices.
Synod 2013 is meeting at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich. from June 7-14. For continuous Banner coverage of Synod 2013, please follow The Banner on Facebook or @crcbanner on Twitter. You can find more tweeting by following hashtag #crcsynod. News stories will be posted at www.thebanner.org several times daily. For CRC Communications releases, webcast, and live blogging, please visit www.crcna.org/synod. Unless noted otherwise, all photographs are by Karen Huttenga.
