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Should a Christians be Involved in Martial Arts then
- Thread starter JesusFan
- Start date
justapewfiller
New Member
Well, not all of the martial arts have anything to do with eastern religion or philosophies.
You have to remember there are a ton of martial arts systems aside from kung-fu and karate.
There are western marital arts that are for sport and/or self defense. For example, boxing, catch wrestling, savate, bbj or MMA. No eastern religion or philosophies there.
There are those have a military roots - Krav Maga, Defendu, Systema, Line system, MCMAP, etc - again not focused on eastern religion or philosophies.
Even in the east there are those that are don't really have a religious or philosophical aspect. Some systems of Malay archipelago ( Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia) are very combat focused while others have a more religious focus.
This is just my two cents, I do not have issue with something that will teach some practical self defense along with some good character building (ie boxing, wrestling, mma, etc) but would steer away one that lean heavily into eastern philosophy, eastern religion / mysticism (Shaolin Kung Fu, Aikido, etc).
You have to remember there are a ton of martial arts systems aside from kung-fu and karate.
There are western marital arts that are for sport and/or self defense. For example, boxing, catch wrestling, savate, bbj or MMA. No eastern religion or philosophies there.
There are those have a military roots - Krav Maga, Defendu, Systema, Line system, MCMAP, etc - again not focused on eastern religion or philosophies.
Even in the east there are those that are don't really have a religious or philosophical aspect. Some systems of Malay archipelago ( Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia) are very combat focused while others have a more religious focus.
This is just my two cents, I do not have issue with something that will teach some practical self defense along with some good character building (ie boxing, wrestling, mma, etc) but would steer away one that lean heavily into eastern philosophy, eastern religion / mysticism (Shaolin Kung Fu, Aikido, etc).
Your videw mirrors mine on this. as would avoid anything into teaching chi energies, Yoga becoming one with universe etc
Absolutely yes. I've been involved in the martial arts for almost 60 years, starting in 9th grade: wrestling through high school (yes, it's a Western martial art), judo, karate, various styles of kung fu. My primary reason was for self defense, but I get great exercise and just enjoy doing it.
There were many martial artists in the OT, and they were never condemned by the Lord. Israel's soldiers used spears, swords, slings, quarterstaffs, even the jawbone of a donkey! David gave God credit for his fighting ability: "Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war and my fingers to fight" (Ps. 144:1). In the NT, even Jesus said in John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence." And someday He will come with His army and physically conquer the world.
As for the Asian monism (meditation, chi/ki, and all that stuff), I have always had Christian teachers and never gotten into that stuff. There are various Christian martial arts organizations that avoid that garbage, and there are many Christian styles. I am cross ranked 2nd black in Christian styles of jujutsu and karate, and am an 8th degree black belt leading my own style of Christian kung fu.
I started out in kung fu with a Christian teacher, and got my first black belt in White Dragon Kung Fu from Mike Crane of Judo and Karate for Christ fame, an evangelist. I've done many demonstrations with Gospel presentations in four different countries, and seen many saved. Mike was one of the very earliest of the martial arts evangelists, and I thank God for him--retired now.
There were many martial artists in the OT, and they were never condemned by the Lord. Israel's soldiers used spears, swords, slings, quarterstaffs, even the jawbone of a donkey! David gave God credit for his fighting ability: "Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war and my fingers to fight" (Ps. 144:1). In the NT, even Jesus said in John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence." And someday He will come with His army and physically conquer the world.
As for the Asian monism (meditation, chi/ki, and all that stuff), I have always had Christian teachers and never gotten into that stuff. There are various Christian martial arts organizations that avoid that garbage, and there are many Christian styles. I am cross ranked 2nd black in Christian styles of jujutsu and karate, and am an 8th degree black belt leading my own style of Christian kung fu.
I started out in kung fu with a Christian teacher, and got my first black belt in White Dragon Kung Fu from Mike Crane of Judo and Karate for Christ fame, an evangelist. I've done many demonstrations with Gospel presentations in four different countries, and seen many saved. Mike was one of the very earliest of the martial arts evangelists, and I thank God for him--retired now.
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Actually, very few American styles go in for the mysticism, though some do. And I know one style done by the Muslims in N. China, Tan Tui, which has nothing to do with eastern religion, obviously.
By the way, you seem well informed about the martial arts. Are you a martial artist yourself?
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I don't know about that. I've heard when he does pushups he simply moves the earth away and pulls it back.
But actually, I fought in tournaments when I was a lowly green and then brown belt back when Chuck was the world full contact champ. Never met the guy, though I have met Bill Wallace, the heavyweight full contact champ, and had him insult my form once in a tourney when I was a brown belt. Bill is a real joker--and an incredible fighter.
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By the way, Chuck Norris is a born again Christian, and teaches Christian values in his classes.
In case anyone is interested, I'm attaching the PDF of a document I wrote when I was tested for 6th black. It describes Asian monism, comparing it to trichotomy. Monism is the belief that body and spirit/soul can be unified, giving the practitioner great power--the chi/ki connection in Asian belief.
In Appendix 1 I describe and debunk many of the so-called "internal energy" (chi/ki) stunts done by martial artists: the bed of nails and the like.
In Appendix 1 I describe and debunk many of the so-called "internal energy" (chi/ki) stunts done by martial artists: the bed of nails and the like.
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canadyjd
Well-Known Member
I had an instructor many years ago that spared with Bill Wallace (super foot?) at the Battle of Atlanta in the late 70’s. He said he never saw his feet leave the ground before he was hit.I don't know about that. I've heard when he does pushups he simply moves the earth away and pulls it back.
But actually, I fought in tournaments when I was a lowly green and then brown belt back when Chuck was the world full contact champ. Never met the guy, though I have met Bill Wallace, the heavyweight full contact champ, and had him insult my form once in a tourney when I was a brown belt. Bill is a real joker--and an incredible fighter.
Peace to you