Should Christians Be Involved In martial Arts?

Well, John of Japan, and I think Benjamin, might disagree with you on this. I see nothing wrong with learning the art to defend yourself.


You could ask the same question about weightlifting, aerobics, running, seeing that the other sex is usually there. In these exercises, the other sex is there in shorts(usually), and they have very good looking bodies. So I guess you shouldn't do these either, seeing the temptation you would be confronted with.

 

Not being any belt, nor ever tried any of the martial arts, I do not know what they teach. Anything other that what the art teaches in regards to self-defense, the instructors should leave out. Now, if that instructor is a true christian, talking about the Word is never wrong. But a lot of the asians aren't God-fearing people, if I am thinking correctly.

 

This is so broad of a generalization I hardly know where to start. I know of no styles of judo, jujutsu, karate or tae kwno do that are into mystical experiences. There are 100s of styles of kung fu, so you'll have to specify. As for meditation, why is that wrong if it is not a form of Asian monism? As for "mind powers," I assume you mean chi/ki teachings, but am not sure. Please amplify.

Are you aware that there are various Christian umbrella organizations for Christian practitioners of the Asian martial arts? www.gmau.org, www.karateforchrist.com ...aw shucks, just look here: http://www.christianmartialarts.agapy.com/associations.php

In 1993 two other men and I founded the Temple Chinese Boxing Association, the black sash (black belt) organization of a kung fu style founded completely on Christian principles for the purposes of fellowship and Christian ministry. Would you stand in front of our 18 instructors and tell us we are sinning by wishing to use our Asian martial art for the glory of God?

 

Give specific information, please. What eastern arts? What teachers? What occultic mumbo jumbo?

 

Can you be more specific? Do you know an actual school, style or teacher who teaches these things with their martial art?

The only thing you list here that I find likely to be taught with an Asian martial art is what you describe as "iner (sic) chi forces." I cover this extensively in my book on my website, Strength in the Inner Man. But very few martial arts schools in the US give more than lip service to the chi/ki concept. I have warned people in Ueshiba traditional style aikido about this, but other than that....

 

Southern Baptist Seminary's Journal of Theology states that:

http://www.sbts.edu/resources/journal-of-theology/sbjt-81-spring-2004/islam-and-violence/

 

It's hard to believe that a scholar could get things so wrong. However, this is a common misconception with those who are ignorant of the history of the martial arts. This misconception is based on the historical fact that the Shaolin Temples of Chan (Zen in Japanese) were hotbeds of rebellion against the Chinese government. Many rebels fled to one or another of the temples and were given shelter, whereupon they taught the non-violent priests their martial arts. The Southern Shaolin Temple in particular was burned down at least twice by the Chinese government of the day for sedition. The legend is that "five elders" then fled and spread the Shaolin martial arts in South China.

Some say that Bodidharma (Daruma in Japanese), who came from India to teach Chan at the Hunan Shaolin Temple in the 5th century, is the true founder of kung fu. But there is no historical evicence for this, only legends. What history says he taught them is a series of exercises with no fighting applications called the "Muscle Change Classic."

The truth is, kung fu has existed all throughout China in various cultures for 1000s of years. I've been trained in various styles of kung fu that are practiced by Buddhists, atheists, Muslims (Tan Tui, "Springing Leg" kung fu) and Taoists (Hsing I, Ba Gua) in China.

 

I'm pretty convinced at this point that Southern's faculty would be happy only if people sat in the church parlor, sipped decaf tea, and talked about what family from the begetting lists in Numbers they most likely would be seated next to in Heaven.

I can't imagine, like JoJ said, how someone can get something so wrong.

 

Just because a scholar is brilliant in one area doesn't mean he knows diddly squat outside his specialty. :tongue3:

 

Well, this is Southern Seminary we're talking about.

Ironically, they are currently advertising for a campus martial arts instructor as well as a "Zumba" instructor:

Open Positions - Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Apparently "Zumba" is some martial arts/dance aerobics craze:

Zumba Instructors Convention

 

I currently hold a 3rd degree black belt in TaeKwonDo. I have studied HapKiDo, AiKiDo, Judo, JiuJutsu, Kempo, and Pai Te Lung Tao (or Pai Lum) Kung Fu (an offshoot of White Crane). I have never had anyone in these ever try to push any religion on me.

Also, it would be a whole different debate on whether the internal arts are a good spiritual, evil spiritual, or simply physical in nature.

 

Zumba? Doesn't sound Japanese, Chinese or Korean. Hmm. Maybe it's Redneck! :laugh:

 

You are entirely welcome.

So, no specific examples for me to work with?

Agreed!

 

Zumba has nothing to do with martial arts, it is an aerobic exercise class.