What is “chi” from a Christian perspective?

At TCFC Tai Chi, we recently received a question from a website visitor based in Holland about Tai Chi and more specifically about the concept of “Chi” itself. 

Here is his question:
“Greetings from Holland, I wanted to do Tai Chi but I’ve been hesitating and searching for Christian truth about it. Question. What exactly is “Chi” in the biblical sense, cause not everyone has the Holy Spirit. And what do we feel exactly when doing Tai Chi, which often tingles ON our bodies? Just want to know and haven’t found anyone who can explain this. Hope to hear from you.”

This question is, of course, the question that any Christian should ask before undertaking martial arts and in particular those styles that teach any kind of spirituality associated with their system. This may be called “Chi”, or “Ki” or may go by another name entirely.

At TCFC Tai Chi we believe in the Christian understanding of Christ crucified, died and resurrected as a critical process of spiritual sacrifice made by Jesus to reconcile us directly with our Father – the Great Creator.

We believe in the truth of Christ as the “Alpha and the Omega”, the “Beginning and the End” and nothing compares to the reality of Christ. In this understanding, Christ is the “everything”. His Spirit was “hovering over the surface of the waters” at the beginning of creation – however that creation event actually occurred. It is this Christ – a union of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit – that created all things by His hands and breathed life into the living. Everything that He created is part of Him and all of it is of Him. We are part of that creation and yearn to be ever closer connected to Him.

When we train TCFC Tai Chi, the Holy Spirit of Christ is invited to train with us. We gather in the name of Christ and dedicate the slow and meditative movements to Him. As far as possible, we concentrate on being silent and listening to what Christ through the Holy Spirit is saying to us. Essentially we focus on the spirituality of the Holy Spirit of Christ. We do not involve any other kind of spirituality.

With that being said, the question of what is “chi” and whether it is of natural origin or not, is a difficult question to answer – especially because there does not appear to be one consistent definition or understanding of what that “chi” is referring to. Some people say that they feel an energy or a heat over their bodies when practising some kinds of martial arts. Others are adamant that this “chi” is not an energy at all, but rather a physical substance. All that we know for sure is that there is no single definition for what the concept of “chi” may or may not be. And without a consistent definition, it’s difficult to say what “chi” actually is – if it is anything at all.

Before reading further, please consider the following blog posts on this subject:

1. Should Christians practice Tai Chi?
   
   

   Should Christians practice Tai Chi?

2. Why God loves TCFC Tai Chi

Why God loves TCFC Tai Chi

Please take special note in Should Christians practice Tai Chi? of the link to the book Christ the Eternal Tao by Eastern Orthodox monk, Hieromonk Damascene. Note the similarities between Christ, the Greek concept of the Logos and the Tao. Note how the apostle Paul exhorted the Greeks to consider the “Logos” – or the God without a name – as the Christ. This is how Paul “sold” the Christ to the Greeks – he pointed out that the “Christ” was the “Logos” and that they did not need to serve the plethora of pagan Greek gods – only the “Christ”. Consider further Damascene’s argument that the Jesuits who first arrived in China were correct about the concept of the Tao – and that it’s arguably an even closer analogy to the “Christ” than even the Greek’s “Logos”. 

Note also that the often quoted John 1: “The Word Became Flesh” is not referring to the bible. This verse is actually referring to the “Logos”.

The scholarly consensus holds that John 1’s “Logos” refers to Jesus Christ as the divine Word, central to creation and redemption, rather than to scripture. This interpretation is based on contextual, historical, and literary analysis. If you’re interested in diving deeper, consider reading works such as From Logos to Trinity by Marian Hillar or examining exegetical commentary on John’s Gospel. – Chat GPT

See this analogy as published on page 9 of Christ the Eternal Tao:

In the beginning was the Tao,
And the Tao was with God,
And the Tao was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by Him;
And without Him was not anything made that was made.
In Him was life, and life was the light of men.
And the light shines in the darkness,
And the darkness comprehended it not . . .
He was in the world, and the world was made by Him,
And the world knew Him not . . . 
And the Tao became flesh,
And dwelt among us,
And we beheld His glory . . . 

The Gospel of John, Chapter 1 
(Translated from a Canton edition of the New Testament, published in China in 1911 by the American Bible Society)

It’s clear that the use of the terms “Christ”, “Logos” and “Tao” are, or at the very least have been, completely interchangeable.

It’s should also be obvious that the implications for interpreting the work of Christ across time and different civilisations in this way is immense. Over the past four decades, Christianity has grown faster in China, the home of Tai Chi, than anywhere else in the world. 

Many Chinese churches, as well as Western biblical scholars and theologians, have also been taking a special interest in the original Chinese god called “Shangdi”, which many consider to be directly analogous to the God of the Old Testament, YAHWEH.

Here are some interesting videos on this subject:

The fear that many Christians have is that Tai Chi and other martial arts lead to a spiritual force that is not of Christ. That it ultimately points not to the Christ, but to a demonic spiritual entity.

To put it plainly, there is no such thing as “good” witchcraft. By definition, witchcraft leverages spiritual powers that are not of Christ. Here are two bible verses to consider:

“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead.” – Deuteronomy 18:10-11

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” – Galatians 5:19-21

I can confirm from my own experience of Tai Chi with the instructors and school that I’m part of, that our martial art contains none of the things listed in these bible verses. However, please be aware that “any cup can hold poison”. Or put another way, any church, system, practice, meditation or life philosophy can point you away from Christ or point you to something other than Christ.

We at TCFC Tai Chi believe that Tai Chi is primarily a martial art with tremendous health and lifestyle benefits. The slow movements of the forms actively work core muscle groups in preparation for the application of much faster actual striking, grappling and joint locking applications. But we are also aware that Tai Chi also improves the overall flexibility, body mechanics and health of the individual. We don’t pretend to know everything about how the body works, nor what natural energy functions as part of our original design as originally designed by the Great Creator or the Christ.

But let’s not be foolish. Not every school, not every teacher, not every practitioner is going to teach the message of the Christ. It’s easy to twist the original message or the original intention of any art or any practice. So be aware that a school or a system or a practice within a school or system can be twisted.

Considering all of this, here are some possibilities for what “chi” may or may not be, depending on how a particular martial art or another kind of system is practised.

A biological definition of “chi”
In a biological context, “chi” is often described as the vital energy or life force that flows through all living things. While chi is primarily a concept rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and philosophy, its biological interpretation can relate to the holistic functioning of an organism, encompassing the integration of physiological systems such as circulation, respiration, and metabolism.

By this way of thinking, “chi” is thought to sustain health and balance within the body, with practices like Tai Chi aiming to harmonise and enhance this energy flow through controlled movements, breathing techniques, and mental focus. While not measurable by conventional scientific methods, “chi” is metaphorically linked to the body’s homeostasis and overall vitality.

In this definition, “chi” is a naturally occurring type of human energy that is interlinked with several critical biological systems necessary for life. While not completely understood yet, it is important to note that by this definition, “chi” is part of creation and the creation process as well as being part of how humans have been designed or have evolved. Or put another way, a naturally occurring and interlinking biological energy that is in all living organisms that is part of the natural order of God’s creation – and therefore fully and completely “of” God.

The TCFC Definition of “chi”
At TCFC Tai Chi, we believe in the Holy Spirit of Christ.

We also believe in a “big” God – one who can and does use anything He wants for His greater purpose. By this way of thinking, one cannot say “God is only in this” or “God will not be in that”. We refuse to “put God in a box” and similarly think it is wrong, sinful and even heretical to do so. Rather, we accept that He will do what He wants and works within any culture or system that He chooses for His own reasons.

Furthermore, we believe that the Holy Spirit of Christ delights in Tai Chi’s slow-moving martial arts movements, breathing and stretching exercises. At TCFC Tai Chi, we’ve come to recognise that Christ wants to use our martial art for His own good purposes. Our goal is to share the art of Tai Chi in a way that helps others learn to listen to the voice of God, develop deeper relationships with themselves and others through Christ and to unleash their extraordinary potential for an abundant life.

For example, we begin every class with a dedication to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and we honour that “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” – Matthew 18:20

We offer our Tai Chi as a “moving meditation” to Christ and offer Him to “speak Lord, your servants are listening”. 

In our experience of practising Tai Chi in this way, Christ is able to “clean” any cultural “shirt”. Anything that could be unclean is washed new by His blood on the cross and we are free to enjoy and experience the fullness of the martial art of Tai Chi and related mediative practices under the protection of Christ and His Holy Spirit.

So for us, if “chi” is anything at all, it could be some kind of naturally occurring biological energy that is part of the overall human bio-mechanical design – therefore fully part of God’s creation that is not fully understood yet.

But it could also be possible that the concept of “Chi” is actually the presence of the Holy Spirit of Christ interpreted through a Chinese cultural lens. Just like in the early Chinese bible where the the use of the terms “Christ”, “Logos” and “Tao” are completely interchangeable, is it possible that the concept of “Chi” is in fact the same “Holy Spirit” of Christ just interpreted through a different culture and history?

An Occultic Definition of “chi”
The occultic definition of “chi” is that it’s some kind of spiritual energy based on Eastern and specifically Chinese concepts, is entirely of Buddhist and Taoist or “pagan” origin – and is therefore utterly and in all cases diabolically evil.

By this way of thinking, all those who practice martial arts and especially the internal styles of martial arts like Tai Chi are similarly diabolically evil. The video below illustrates the sentiment of this occultic understanding of all martial arts, including the concept of “chi”.

However, please note the cut points in this video and consider how it may have been edited in order to anger those who practice martial arts or even to paint all Christians with a specific bias and prejudice.

Regardless of how this video may have been edited, it is my personal experience that a considerable number of Christians believe in this occultic definition of martial arts.

In John 10:27, Jesus says: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” Do either of the two people speaking in the video above sound like Christ to you?

This way of thinking leaves no room for nuance. There are no shades of grey and very little in the way of understanding or appreciation for how Christ may have been working in different cultures and different systems in His own way.

I’ve personally been both ostracised and demonised for unapologetically practising and now teaching TCFC Tai Chi. There is a considerable amount of ignorance, judgement, fear and intolerance associated with this way of interpreting the biblical message and the teachings of Christ.

Overall, this kind of thinking seems to be associated with a lack of faith in the authority of Christ and a correspondingly unhealthy fear, or even a reverence for the demonic.

By contrast, those who have experienced Christ in a deep and powerful way know intuitively that there is simply no contest. When compared to the amazing love-based authority of Christ, the demonic is both powerless and trivial.

That said, we should not be naive. Demonic entities and associated demonic oppression and infestation are real. If you don’t believe in such “superstitious nonsense” spend some time researching the experiences of Catholic exorcists today. There are quite a few You Tube channels that deal with this kind of Catholic ministry. I also recommend the Catholic Church as an authority on these matters because they undoubtedly have the longest experience in dealing with such matters and also have an actual training programme for exorcism in Rome.

Ask Him yourself
The good news is that the whole point of being in communion with God, the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is that we are all able to seek God’s opinion on this subject at any time. By that, I mean to honestly and openly sit and to pray and ask Christ in the presence of His Holy Spirit what He thinks about Tai Chi and whatever the concept of “chi” may or may not be.

In my personal experience, this is when those who tend to demonise martial arts tend not to want to participate in the discussion any longer. For some reason, they just won’t honestly and openly pray with you about this matter. It would appear that they already have all of the answers, that their viewpoint is above reproach and they won’t have any of their ideas challenged, even by Christ. Consequently, it would appear to me that they really don’t want to know what Christ thinks. They have interpreted the scriptures the way they want to, have already made up their minds and as such simply won’t bother to ask.

Anyone who takes the time to honestly ask will likely get the same answers that I have received too. I consistently get positive affirmations through prayer – personally and with confirmation from others – whenever I ask God whether He wants me to train in Tai Chi. He has repeatedly, consistently and over a number of years encouraged me to train in Tai Chi as well as to confirm, without a doubt – that He wants to use TCFC Tai Chi for His own good purposes.

So for my part, I’m completely confident that Christ intends to use TCFC Tai Chi for his own purposes and I’m consequently open to praying with anyone at any time – online or in person – about this matter. For me what is ultimately important is what Christ thinks, what Christ wants and what He ordains.

So whatever your view may be on martial arts and the concept of “chi” I suggest that if you spend some time in prayer asking Christ to reveal to you personally what his view is on the matter.

Some additional concepts to consider:

Choose your System
*Note that healthy churches always point to the Christ

Occult “The world”	Religion “The church”	Christ “The Christ”
Demonic control system	Religious control system	Give up control
You are god	You are evil	Christ is in you
Do what you want – There are no consequences	Follow the law and get your heavenly reward	God’s will be done on earth as in heaven
Transactional “Co-Dependent” Relationships	Transactional “Co-Dependent” Relationships with Others and God	Reciprocal service relationships with others through Christ
Spells and witchcraft: Bending the natural order for personal, often selfish gains.	Manipulating sacrifices, tithes and offerings: “Forcing” God’s hand for personal, often selfish gains.	Obedience to God’s will through prayer. Allowing God’s will to unfold with trust and faith in His perfect plan.

Some additional references that may be worth considering when pondering the concept of “chi’ from a Christian perspective:

The Philosophy of Chi in a Biblical Context

Addendum: Early Christian icon – The Chi Rho

Many churches continue to use the “Chi Roh” as an important symbol of Christ. It turns out that the word “Chi” is Greek for Christ. Just an interesting coincidence?

Here is an overview of the history of this symbol:

The Chi Rho is an ancient Christian monogram, formed by superimposing the first two Greek letters of the word for Christ (ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ): Chi ((X)) and Rho ((P)). This symbol, sometimes called a christogram, represents Jesus Christ and became widely used after Roman Emperor Constantine saw it in a vision and used it on his military standards before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 AD.  

Symbolism: The Chi Rho is a monogram that stands for Christ. The combination of the Greek letters Chi ((X)) and Rho ((P)) forms the first two letters of the Greek word for Christos, meaning “Christ”.  Historical origin: The symbol is famously linked to Emperor Constantine. Legend states that before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, he saw the symbol in a vision with the words “in this sign you will conquer”. He then had the symbol painted on his soldiers’ shields, and they won the battle, which was a pivotal moment in the legalization and spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire. 

Early use: The Chi Rho was one of the earliest and most important Christian symbols, predating the widespread use of the cross. It was used on early Christian artifacts and manuscripts, and its use was popularized by Constantine’s adoption of it for his military standards, known as the labarum.