Dave Hunt is a best-selling author and internationally esteemed researcher, lecturer, and scholar, whose works have been translated into more than 40 languages. Over 4 million copies of his books have been sold. Dave’s impeccable research and recognized scholarship make him a sought-after speaker at conferences. Along with cohost T.A. McMahon, Dave also challenges listeners on the weekly radio program “Search the Scriptures Daily” heard on over 350 stations nationwide.

The fact that Christians are now practicing yoga in increasing numbers is puzzling in view of widely published warnings (many by yogis themselves, as well as by former yoga instructors) concerning its occult roots and attendant dangers, both spiritual and emotional…. Could this be one more sign of the apostasy that Christ (as well as Paul and other apostles) warned would characterize the Last Days just before our Lord’s return to catch up His own out of this world to heaven in an event known as the Rapture? Or is yoga, as even some Christian leaders are now claiming, a biblical approach to God that was actually taught and practiced by Christ and the early church but because of prejudice was not recognized as such for 1,900 years by evangelicals? If so, why doesn’t the word “yoga” appear even once in the Bible, and why are there no references in its pages to anyone engaging in any practice even remotely related?

Even Hindus recognize the error in trying to “Christianize” yoga. In response to the fact that “Christian yoga is a growing fitness craze,” Subhas Tiwari, a professor at the Hindu University of America in Orlando, Florida, said, “Hinduism is at yoga’s core.” Noting that yoga was practiced 3,000 years before the birth of Christ, mostly in India, Tiwari comments, “If you give me a recipe and I alter the ingredients…and give it back to you, am I giving you the same thing? Clearly not.”

The total lack of biblical support seems not to trouble Christians practicing yoga—and that is not a good sign. Is this fact related to Paul’s solemn warning that in the last days “some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils…” (1 Timothy 4:1)? Of course, many Christians are not yet ready to disregard Scripture, but such a willingness seems to be gathering momentum.