-
Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.
Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!
Martial Arts?
- Thread starter Ben W
- Start date
Depends on the class, my youngest son has studied about 2 years and enjoys it. There is none of that "Eastern" stuff in his class whatsoever.
About a year ago he wanted to try another class his friend went to, but I was immediately turned off, very Eastern. Hard to explain, but easy to see and hear. Very freaky if you ask me. No way I would allow him to study there.
Go for it.
The first lesson they'll teach you is the best way to win a fight is to run away. Also, they really focus on discipline, achievement, and fitness. I'm a fan.
Some folks complain about "eastern" stuff in these things. But as Winman said, I've never seen it.
The first lesson they'll teach you is the best way to win a fight is to run away. Also, they really focus on discipline, achievement, and fitness. I'm a fan.
Some folks complain about "eastern" stuff in these things. But as Winman said, I've never seen it.
Its all good...
...I'd require all my ushers and Deacons to have at least a Black Belt. It would help with unruly guests and members, and for sure the offerings would improve when those in the pews see a black belt artist taking the offering. :laugh:
...I'd require all my ushers and Deacons to have at least a Black Belt. It would help with unruly guests and members, and for sure the offerings would improve when those in the pews see a black belt artist taking the offering. :laugh:
Yes.....
.....that'll drop any ninja or black belt quicker than a roundhouse kick to the jaw. And like you said, at our age, those kicks and fancy stuff are toooooo painful to even consider doing. :smilewinkgrin:
.....that'll drop any ninja or black belt quicker than a roundhouse kick to the jaw. And like you said, at our age, those kicks and fancy stuff are toooooo painful to even consider doing. :smilewinkgrin:
On the Serious Side...
....I think, from what I've seen, that the martial arts teach discipline and respect for your body as well as for one another, and that is something the world seems to be lacking a lot of these days.
With that said, I don't see anything wrong with the arts, so long as you personally keep Christ as your number one "Sensei!" :jesus:
....I think, from what I've seen, that the martial arts teach discipline and respect for your body as well as for one another, and that is something the world seems to be lacking a lot of these days.
With that said, I don't see anything wrong with the arts, so long as you personally keep Christ as your number one "Sensei!" :jesus:
Talk to "John of Japan"...he is ostensibly a true authority on the topic....he is a conservative Baptist, Missionary to Japan and (I take it) an expert in Martial -Arts....We have little or nothing to say to you that he would not know. P.m. him, and you'll do just fine! :wavey:
I'm 34...and I take his age to be closer to 60 than 50....and I bet he could probably drop me like flea.. I wouldn't tango with the guy.
He has actually written tracts or books about a Biblical/Christian doctrine of "self-defense"...He is a true expert on such topics as what amount of "Eastern Mysticism" etc...(a legit concern) is entailed and how to train despite it.
I'm 34...and I take his age to be closer to 60 than 50....and I bet he could probably drop me like flea.. I wouldn't tango with the guy.
He has actually written tracts or books about a Biblical/Christian doctrine of "self-defense"...He is a true expert on such topics as what amount of "Eastern Mysticism" etc...(a legit concern) is entailed and how to train despite it.
Last edited by a moderator:
You can do that, but MUST divorce and keep seperate the physical aspect from the 'spiritual" one!
As MUCH martial arts revolve around the concepts of eastern mental thinking, especially in regards to eastern religions!
So no mantras/chanting/focusing inner chi etc should be done!
how much of this is involved arounf the concepts of eastern mysticism/religion?
My ears are ringing, since my name has been written here! :wavey:
If you include wrestling, I've been in the martial arts since 1966. I started taking Judo in 1971, Karate in the spring of 1972, and kung fu in the fall of 1972. And of course I've lived in Japan since 1981. I head a Christian kung fu organization. So as others have noted I have some expertise in these matters.
There are a number of minstry opportunities that Christians can participate in through the martial arts, especially evangelistic demonstrations and church ministries. My son, 3rd black in our style, headed a demonstration team in college, and just started a self defense class in his church. Both of these methods are quite fruitful, and can reach people not reached by other methods.
In looking at training in a secular school, if you find a good school the blessings are: getting in shape, learning self defense skills, making friends who are doing the same martial art, etc. In my organization are six friends from college 35 years ago, as well as friends made more recently.
Things to watch out for: an overly macho approach (think of the bad guy in Karate Kid), an instructor overly dedicated to making money (we call this the MacDojo approach, dojo being the Japanese term for training hall), an instructor with poor morals, and an instructor filled with Asian philosophy and/or religion. Here is my e-book on the subject: Strength in the Inner Man, at http://johnofjapan.com/articles.php.
I hope this helps. Please feel free to ask any questions here on the forum or in private messages.
is it true there are 'hard" arts such as karate that does not involve eastern views regarding spiritualis,, and 'soft' ones like Tai Chi that really empasis it?
isn't Kung fu though primarily an eastern approached discipline, that those into it see spirituallyfrom eastern mindset?
I'd have to answer, which style do you mean? One source says there are over 400 styles of kung fu. I'd guess there are over 1000. Are you talking about Wing Chun, generally practiced with no spiritual applications? Or Pa Kua, based ostensibly on Taoism, but historically with one famous Taiwan master (taught a linear style) who become a Christian missionary? Or Shaolin Wu Shu, taught in Buddhist temples? Or Tai Chi Ch'uan, again ostensibly based on Taoism but practiced by millions for health purposes alone? (My Christian instructor since 1972 teaches mainly this style with no Eastern mysticism attached.) Or Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do, completely secular? Or my own style of Shen Dian Ch'uan (Temple Chinese Boxing) which was developed by Christians for the purpose of serving God, and has 100% Christian instructors?
Thank you all for your input, I have recently begun studying Hapkido and am really enjoying it but wanted to be sure that its not going to be a problem if there is any spiritual content, which I have not come across as yet.
This is one site that I have found helpful, not just for Hapkido but for Christian Martial Artists in general.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/United-Martial-Artists-for-Christ/128267703931549?ref=ts&fref=ts
This is one site that I have found helpful, not just for Hapkido but for Christian Martial Artists in general.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/United-Martial-Artists-for-Christ/128267703931549?ref=ts&fref=ts
Not too much. My Jeet Kune Do instructor is a christian. Also, I would not participate in such goofiness.
Every art/region has their own weirdness. For instance, we study Filipino stick fighting. But I am NOT going to get involved in any animistic "magical" practices if they are ever offered to me.
You don't need magic and hokey quasi-spiritual garbage to excel---you need a good instructor and you must be willing to work hard and spar with non-compliant partners.