Is God bigger than Christianity?

I have just read Rob Bell's Love Wins and have been struck by the questions he asks- are those who have never  encountered Jesus' teachings doomed to eternal damnation, are other faiths simply a way to hell.

This conversation within myself was abruptly brought into a real meaningful debate when a member of my congregation questioned the use of our halls for the practice of Iyengar Yoga.

Without putting words into his mouth he argued at various points- that although this yoga was innocuous it might through our endorsement of this form open persons to alternate spiritually suspect forms, he also indicated however that the poses 'asanas' in and of themselves open one to demonic forces, alternatively that all yoga was idol worship. I could not reconcile all his comments which seemed at times contradictory.

However the simple reality is that it has created deep debate in our community. In preparing for the meeting I spent time in prayer and the tear in my soul developed. I believe my surrender to Jesus entails the gradual, though painful at times, releasing of my desire to get my own way, to feel correct and have everybody abide with my correct stance. This contrasted with the feelings that if the community were to reject these folk it would be an act of the Body of Christ saying we don't want you here. My need to be right which I am trying to let go of, contrasted with the call to act on behalf of those excluded or marginalized.

The persons involved in yoga were never consulted, engaged or questioned as to what they were doing-this despite my inviting the person objecting to do this, and my colleague inviting the executive to investigate. I eventually invited the yoga practioners to the meeting.

I was struck by the humility, the gentleness that in general was truer of those engaged in yoga than the Christians present. There were moments where both groups reacted with comments that were harsh, but the sense that the listening was far more common on the side of the so called heathens (though one at least is a practicing Christian). My own behaviour was at times less than exemplary- people quoting internet websites without actually engaging the persons concerned just enraged me- how easy to sit at ones desk and form a judgement than to engage with people. I failed to hold the discussion in a way that would honour Jesus- no one but me is too blame- God has lots more work to do with me.

I wondered whether certainty is the enemy of God's Spirit- how can God do a new thing when we are so certain as to how and where God can work. Could Mary have responded let it be with me according to your will if she knew that God could only work in certain ways. I wonder about my own prejudice and whether God has to toss my off my horse on the road to Damascus as Paul was in (Acts, chapters 9,22,26) , in order to get me to recognize that he may work in ways that are just so radically new that they seem like blasphemy at first?

I have practiced Iyengar Yoga on and off for six years- my first experience was as a means to getting in touch with my body that the reformed tradition has so rejected in many ways- (strange when we believe in the incarnation). Being aware that my body affected my ability to concentrate, and prayer was a gift and I have found yoga a wonderful means to grow my prayer, to de-stress and to get in touch with the reality that I am a spirit in a particular body (Christians seem to struggle with this language yet talk of the Holy Spirit entering us is commonplace).

The ultimate debate though comes back to this can, could, has God (as revealed through the Judeo-Christian tradition) never spoken to a person of another faith- either breaking into their faith, or working within it? Are all practices from alternate faiths inherently evil?

I just cannot conclude this- God is to big, to loving, to graceful to have abandoned so many people. This week we celebrate Ascension Day- where we celebrate Jesus ascension to heaven. I believe Jesus existed prior to his birth, that people were saved (welcomed, received, transformed, forgiven) prior to his human death, and that as the Cosmic Christ exists for all people all nations.

My God is just to big to exclude these people.