As we walk with the Lord, every day we are faced with decisions about which direction to take. Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to join with my friends in a Tai Chi class for seniors. It’s proponents claim it to be beneficial for good balance and the prevention of falls. This all sounds innocuous enough. Right? But is it?
At first I wanted to join my peers and be a part of this group, but something nagged at my mind. I believe the Holy Spirit made me uncomfortable with the idea, so I decided to look into what Tai Chi really is. I needed to make a decision based on more than just what the pretty flier told me and the enthusiasm of my friends. So, I did some research which I will share with you.
What is Tai Chi?
“Tai Chi is an eastern religious practice that comes out of Taoism. Taoism is an ancient tradition of philosophy and religious belief that is deeply rooted in Chinese customs and worldview. Taoist ideas have become popular throughout the world through Tai Chi Chuan, Qigong, and various martial arts.” (source) http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/taoism/
From: GotQuestions.org
Question: “What is the Christian view of Tai Chi (TaiChi)?”
Answer: Tai Chi is more specifically called Tai Chi Chuan, which can be translated as “supreme ultimate force.” Tai Chi is a martial art, though it’s often called a “moving meditation” since the movements are done slowly and deliberately, and it is taught more as a meditative and health-enhancing practice than as a martial art. Though its origins are unclear, the foundation of Tai Chi is the Taoist belief in a universal energy called chi (also spelled qi or ki depending on the language of origin). Chi is believed to be the binding life force in the universe, existing both externally and internally, moving through invisible channels in the body called meridians.
Taoism teaches that strengthening and reinforcing one’s inner chi will bring good health and long life as well as spiritual benefits. Certain breathing techniques, meditations, and bodily movements are taught to cultivate and enhance the chi. This belief is the basis of Tai Chi. There is no supreme God or Creator in Taoism; all originated from the Tao, which is an impersonal principle or source of creation.
Yin Yang Symbol
From the Tao came yin and yang, two forces that manifested in creation. These forces appear opposite but actually are in a state of constant flux, merging with each other. The chi flows more harmoniously when yin and yang are balanced; this balance is brought about through special diets, herbs, exercises, breathing techniques, and bodily movements. Tai Chi, therefore, has a worldview at odds with the Christian worldview. Tai Chi is based on a Taoist spiritual view of the body and the chi, and how to enhance the chi, a view incompatible with how the Bible tells us we were made—in God’s image (Genesis 1:27).
Jesus Christ created and holds the world together, not the Tao or an invisible force called chi: “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:16-17). Doing Tai Chi, even for physical purposes, is paying homage to a spiritual belief system at odds with God’s Word. (source) http://www.gotquestions.org/Tai-Chi-Christian.html
Can we Divorce the Spiritual Aspect of Tai Chi and use it just as an Exercise?
That question comes up right away when considering Tai Chi. Here is a quote from Hank Hanegraaff, the Bible Answer Man, in an article published on his web site:(emphasis added) http://www.equip.org/perspectives/christian-martial-arts-should-christians-practice-the-martial-arts/
CHRISTIAN MARTIAL ARTS- Inseparable from Eastern Religion
“It is clear that some martial art forms cannot be divorced from their Eastern origins. For example, Aikido, Ninjitsu, and Tai Chi depend heavily upon a force called “ki” (or “chi”) which supposedly pervades the whole universe. Since Christians worship one God who created the universe, and do not believe in this universal “chi” force, it becomes difficult — if not impossible — to reconcile these martial art forms with Christianity.”
Since Tai Chi involves Taoism which is Eastern Mysticism it cannot be reconciled with Christianity. When we do Tai Chi we are to align our energy with the universal energy force or “chi.” It is like trying to mix oil and water.
What Direction Can I Find From the Bible?
First of all God, in the Bible, tells us not to believe every thing that comes along as being from God. There are many false teachers in the world today and we need to be very careful what we follow. It is easy to follow the crowd, but we are to test the spirits to see if they are from God. Well, I can see from my research that the spirit in Tai Chi is not from God. It is anti-Christian. Therefore, I should not get involved.
1 John 4:1 NASB Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
I remember as a child some of my friends would join a certain group, or take part in something, and I wanted to also. I wanted to be part of the crowd. Sometimes I would ask my mom with the argument that “all my friends are going, why can’t I?” My mom knew more than myself, (of course, I didn’t think so) and she protected me from doing things that would not be good for me. It is like that with Christians. We want to do what everyone else is doing, but God has given us certain guidelines to follow and we need to go to Him and find out if we should do them or not. I’m thankful for the Bible and the instruction He has given us. He is the perfect parent!
Ephesians 5:11 NASB Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;
The devil would like nothing more than to get us sidetracked from our Christian walk. Do you realize in practicing Tai Chi there is a supernatural aspect to it? Here is another article called, Yoga wasn’t bad enough. Now we have tai chi, as the dark supernatural continues to invade our exercise time.
1 Peter 5:8 NASB Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Isn’t it true that today there is much evil that is called good? And, there is good that is called evil! Oh, my, we have to be on alert all the time. How do we measure things? Well, we can either listen to the world or we can listen to God. Keep your Bible handy!
Isaiah 5:20 NASB Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
Another good scripture comes to mind. When you put a little bit of yeast into the flour mixture in just a little while the yeast has permeated the whole lump of dough. That is how we make such good tasting bread. But, in the spiritual realm a little bit of false teaching will quickly spoil everything else that is said. We must be very careful and discern the truth.
1 Corinthians 5:6b NASB Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough?
We cannot allow ourselves be destroyed because we don’t know. Today we have many resources available to us and there is really no excuse for ignorance. We need to stay in the Word, and search out answers to anything that comes up that we are not sure about.
Hosea 4:6a NASB My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
God tells us what we must do!
2 Corinthians 6:17 NASB (17) “Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.
We are not to be conformed to the world, but we are to seek to live in a way that is honoring to the Lord. He calls us to holiness.
1 Peter 1:14-16 NASB As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, (15) but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; (16) because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” (emphasis added)
Here is part of Paul’s prayer for the people in Colosse. And it is my prayer for you.
Colossians 1:9-10 NASB For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, (10) so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
After doing this research I came to the conclusion that doing Tai Chi is not honoring the my wonderful Savior and Lord. It is dabbling in the occult and would not be something He would want me involved with. I’m thankful that the Holy Spirit made me feel uncomfortable and got me to really look into this. I hope what I’ve learned will be helpful to you.
hatchcreek.com Bible blog 
Its true. Religions seem to flourish through the dough.
But remember God is the Potter and we are his clay. Be brave. 🙂
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If a person does the physical exercises, the benefits are there. The “meditation” of Tai Chi involves being to touch with ones body. Feeling your feet on the floor, moving your arms etc.. As for the Chi component.. our bodies do have electrical energy in them… our blood does flow through our veins.. being able to discern the many workings of the body God created for us in not an evil thing…
The Line over to the Eastern religions etc is crossed when the person starts believing all of the Taoist teachings etc..
My Tai Chi teacher was a Baptist and did not teach the eastern religions or that part of Tai Chi. We meditated on Christ. We felt the Holy Spirit moving though our bodies. We felt the healing hand of God.
The peoples of Asia were very good at figuring out how the human body worked, what foods made the body better, what exercises contributed to a persons overall health. Those things are not evil. God made us in his image. We have great power through Christ. Continue to believe in God, Let the Holy Spirit work in your life.. Trust all things to Christ.
Just leave the Eastern religion part out of your practice of Tai Chi.
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You misunderstood me when I suggested you were narrow-minded. I meant nothing personal, only your obsession with the Bible being everything. John, Paul were all knowledgable men in their time and I take nothing from them. If God inspired these men, why can’t there be men who are inspired today? If hiding in your scriptures comforts you, by all means to so. But, do not preach to others about something you know nothing about and that is life. As a cop, I face danger everyday and I move on believing in Jesus and my rewards in Heaven. I study so that I am stronger in my beliefs. Why didn’t God know that Eve would betray his word, why did he not know the devil was in the Garden. Why, why why? There are so many questions and very few answers. Where did the “others” come from when Cane was afraid to leave after killing Able? Why, why why? There are many sources from that time that speak of Jesus and the things he did and didn’t do. The Bible is conveying a message, nothing more. Believe and you will be saved, but not by works alone. Why is the Kings James version your source, what gave those men back, then the right to pick and chose what books were important or not important. Could it be they hated Catholics? I think the King had a lot to do with that and the Bible says nothing about this. Why? All I asking of you is to stop putting your brand of approval on things that don’t fit so neatly in your way of thinking. God has a plan for us all and this I believe. What it is I don’t know nor does anyone else know. All I have is my faith and it is a faith that cannot be shaken. I understand the real world better than you do, and I feel sure this is a true statement. Not everyone in this world is bad just because that don’t believe as you do or believe in the same things as you do. Why would God allow other beliefs to come about? Why does God inspire some men and not others, why is your beliefs so much better and right than mine. All I ask you to do is remember that most of what was written back then was passed down by “mouth to ear”. Nothing was written down. How can you be sure that the stories these great men were told were factual? As a Law Officer, I can tell you that people tell the truth as they “believe” it to be at the time. They mean no harm, they only want to sound important or be more important or to be recognized as someone special. Why were women excluded from the scriptures, Jesus included them in his life. It was a man’s world and stories were told through a man’s eyes. That was the way it was. But, there are so many more books out there that explain more than about these men that the Bible does. Who were they, why did they do what they did, why were they allowed to die for spreading the word of God. Shouldn’t God have soften man’s heart back then so these inspired men could go about their lives teaching and preaching the word of God? So many questions and so little answers when you chose to look only at one source.
T’ai Chi may have started out as a religion, but it has ceased to be that today just like Christmas is no longer considered a pagan holiday. Things change and what happened hundred or thousands of years ago can and do grow into more meaningful things. Why should you “pigeon hole” everything that you don’t know about or understand. I doubt that you have ever tried T’ai Chi. It’s a wonderful, graceful exercise and it benefits the body in so many ways. I feel great after each session and ready to face the world and what God has planned for me. I think we both have said enough on this subject and I really do mean this. You have your way of thinking and I have mine. I just feel so much richer in what I have learned and it has only strengthen me in my beliefs of God and my Savior, Jesus Christ. Would you die for your belief? I face that everyday and I continue to live hoping I can make a change for the better is someone’s life. May God keep you healthy and blessed.
Warmest, Bob
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Hi Bob, Who is Jesus Christ?
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Hello bonlou, I’ve had a really bad day with the idiots out in this world. Why do you question by faith? Have I questioned yours? I believe I know Jesus better than you and most of your friends. I have been pronounced dead and yet, here I am. Why? I don’t know, but I was revived and while I was “gone” I did see the “light”. I was walking towards that light with the knowledge that when I got there everything would be alright. The jokes on me. Look at the job I have…. You have yet to address my statement about Christmas and I can only guess that because you would rather not, because you, by your logic, would have to stop believing in Christmas. I love Christmas and believe it are not, we have less crime during that period than any other time. So many Christians today are shallow in their “beliefs” and will not stand firm when confronted. They say, “my Bible tells me to turn the other cheek”l. Boy, am I glad Jesus didn’t have your bible when he was here on earth. He fought the money changers in the temple, he work on the Sabbath, he was a Jew that studied and found something new, different and passed it on to you and I. He was the Son of God, part man and part God. I’ve heard “Christians” say when someone has died, “well, it was God’s will”. Bunk, bunk and more bunk!
Why put a drunk in jail for killing someone if it was God’s will? Why punish anyone, if it was God’s will? Why stop doing an exercise because some nut didn’t want to exercise so he read up on the origin of the exercise and found his out for not doing the exercise……. Well bless my soul. He said he had some reservations, was this God talking to him? Well, maybe we should ask him about Christmas since he has a direct line to God. As far as the Bible is concerned, I believe in the two main rules: Love thy neighbor as thy self (do unto other as you would have them do unto you) and Love thy God with all thine might and soul. Not exact scripture, but you get the message. My head hurts so bare with me. I truly enjoy discussing this with you and I do not want you to change for me, change only for yourself if you think that is the way to go. I do encourage you to put the Bible down, step back and remember that the New Testament was written after Jesus died and the Gospels were the “oral traditions” put to words. Check it out. My favorite Books are First and Second Corinthians and the Book of Matthew. I have read the Bible several times in my life and each time I understand more because of the “extra” reading I’ve done on the same subjects and the people that wrote those words. Try that and maybe, just maybe, you will have a better understanding of what life and the meaning of life is. That is God’s gift to us, to better understand each other and in doing so, we fight less, we do less harm to one another, therefore the world is a better place. Don’t lock yourself into one source of information, expand your mind. Your brain can handle it so don’t be afraid. God will not strike you down. Jesus questioned God did he not. There are more important things in this world than worrying about where something originated and why it started or how it started. What’s important is what we do with it today. You can spend all of your waking moments in Church and walking around quoting scriptures and that will not guarantee you place in Heaven. We will be judged by our works and our faith.There are weeks when I can’t go to Church, but does that make me any less of a Christian than you? I don’t think so. Like Christ said, “give unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and give unto God that which is God’s. One other thing, it is thought that Jesus traveled outside of the Hold Land on more than one occasion to learn about life and the people that were there. Look it up. Also, the Old Testament speaks of events that are written about in other cultures (religions) prior to them being written in our Bible. Check it out. Search for the truth and God will direct you. You do believe in God don’t you and you do trust God don’t you? So don’t be afraid. The truth shall make you free and your beliefs will become as the roots of a mighty red wood tree, unshakeable and will stand forever.
Peace be with you.
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I would suggest that you think more about being a Christian. Christians are not suppose to judge and you seem to be judging me. Shame on you. You don’t know what’s in my heart and never will. You did not say anything about the pagan rites that we call Christmas. You are a fundamentalist when it comes to the Bible. I would suggest that you read more and your might be surprised at some of the things you read in the Bible. I care not for the men who wrote those words trying to support their ideas of what Christ did or did not do. God has given man today the ability to study and learn so that we can better understand. The Bible is a guide book and nothing more. These books were made up of several religious thoughts back in that time and I refer you to the one passage where Christ told Peter he was the rock upon which he would build his Church. Why is that omitted in the other three gospels? You see, even back then they could not agree on what Christ said or did. That is just one of many things that are there for an knowledgable person to see and read. Living by the word of God is good, but it is not the only source of information out there. With knowledge comes wisdom and that’s not always a good thing. It makes you questions things and a desire to learn more rather than sit on your behind and think that the Bible is the only source of information in this world. Christians have done some terrible things in this world all in the name of God. I’m sure they believed as you do, but were they right? I don’t think so. Man ate the apple from the tree of knowledge, then use your knowledge, then I would suggest that you get out of your comfort zone and get into the real world. Study, study and learn. You will find that what’s in the Bible is a guide for those that want the rewards to come later. It does not give answers to everything. When something can’t be explain, a fundamentalist will say “God works in mysterious ways”. Now don’t that beat all? If we were to think that way, nothing would be questioned, no new medicines, inventions, etc., etc. If the only comfort you have in this world is your Bible, then I will pray real hard for you. Stop comparing every thing to your religion and if it does not fit in your little slot, then it must be bad. Wrong! So many holidays we have go back to pagan rites, should we stop them? Should we say that Christmas was not defined in the Bible, therefore it must be bad. What about Easter? The questions can go on and on, so I would suggest to you that you do not preach to the choir, but instead look unto thy self and ask yourself the question, “is the Bible the only source of information for me to live by?” Knowing you, I sure you will say yes, and that’s a shame for you are missing so much beauty in this world because of your closed mind. Let’s not let our religion become as the Islam religion. One way to think and that’s it.
Expand your mind, it’s no sin…… it’s what God wants you to do. And what does religion have to do with doing an exercise that strengthens the temple of God and makes one feel better, therefore healthier? You’re looking for bogies where there are none. Have a blessed day and expand your mind.
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I can’t believe what I’ve just read. Why would anyone compare T’ai Chi with Christianity? Long before people knew of Christ, they needed something to hold on to, to explain life, give them hope, some discipline in their lives and this is where T’ai Chi comes in. Something for the people of that time. Are we as Christians so narrow minded that we cannot see the benefits of something like T’ai Chi? Have we become so judgmental and argumentative that we have to blind ourselves to what something is? We are beginning to sound like that other “religion” that hates everyone, and you know who I’m speaking of. I do T’ai Chi everyday and it has yet interfered with my beliefs in God and Jesus. I wonder why? Remember where things come from and think of the people that wrote of these things in the era they were living. Lighten up. No one is attacking Christianity except for that “other so called religion”. You can find in the bible a verse to support almost anything you believe, but you fail to remember that the bible was written by “men” that had an agenda. We all know that “men” have some faults and whether he presenting or pushing an idea, you can only hope that it is the correct path. There are many contradictions or omissions in the books of the Bible, but we must look at the message that we are given and move on with our faith in Jesus Christ to guide and direct us. As my grandmother use to say, “God helps those that help themselves”. Nothing is free and it’s up to us to be as healthy and happy as possible. Remember, God gave us “free will” and it’s up to us to use it in the best possible way. There is no creature hiding under the bed that will send you to hell if you do T’ai Chi or any other form of exercise. Our bodies are the Temple of God and it is up to us to take care of it in the best way we can. Sitting on your butt praying every minute of the day does noting for this world or you. I cannot remember reading anywhere in the Bible that is what God expects us to do. Believe and believe hard as I do, but be real and judge not les you be judged. Enjoy life and enjoy God, that’s what he expects of us. Being one with your inter-self is good, not bad. Believing in yourself is good, not bad. Drawing on that inter-strength has save many people and anything that helps that happen cannot be bad. It has nothing to do with religion. It has everything to do with me and God and nothing will change that. As a Law Enforcement person, I’ve had to face death many times and I survive to this day because of my “skills”, and I’m sure God directed me in that path so that I could survive. How would you explain that? Did I do wrong? Quote all you want, you are missing the point about life and where we fit in. God expects us believe in him, Jesus and to be the best at what we do and the way we live, all that other stuff is baggage. Stop narrowing your world down to some words written thousands of years ago, you’re helping no one.
May the peace of the Lord be with you and your faith never falter. One other thing, wasn’t Christmas a pagan holiday? Look at what Christians have done to change this. NO matter how you wrap it, it still was, in the beginning, a pagan holiday. It was celebrated in Europe long before Christ was ever heard of. What say you now, my close minded friend? How many other things have Christians converted to suit their purpose? Lots!
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Why would anyone compare Tai chi with Christianity? Because they are both religions, and we can compare them. You say you are a Christian but I’m wondering if you truly understand what being a Christian is. Allow me to ask you a couple of questions: Do you love the Lord with all your heart? Do you love the Bible? Do you love other Christian believers? From what you write I don’t think you love the Bible. I don’t think you believe it is the inspired Word of God. It is God-breathed. God chose those men who penned the scriptures and He inspired them to write the words we read today. It is God’s instruction book for Christians on how to live their lives. When we read and study the Bible we learn to discern what is right and wrong in God’s eyes. There is God’s world and there is Satan’s world and we need to take care who we follow. I would suggest that you take one book of the Bible, for instance John, and read and study it. Allow God to speak to you through His own Words. You say I am narrow minded. Well, thank you because that is a compliment. I’m actually Bible minded, and that is not bad.
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