What are your thoughts on Christians taking classes in Martial Arts? Good, Bad or Indifferent?
Martial Arts?
Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Ben W, Mar 31, 2013.
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I look at it as staying in shape and self-defense. its alot of fun as long as it's kept under control. My son's teacher is from China and you can bet he is told about Jesus every chance we get. God Bless Bill
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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. -
preachinjesus Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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. -
righteousdude2 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Its all good...
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PM John of Japan here on BB about it. He lives in Japan and is highly skilled in this discipline. He can give you more info on it. I believe that some can bring in negative spiritual influences but I think other is very good.
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Nothing wrong with it at all. Got involved myself back in the early 1970's.
Course, at my age now I'd be more into toting an ACP .45 with a couple of extra clips than trying to keep up with the younger set. -
righteousdude2 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Yes.....
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righteousdude2 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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: -
Not all martial arts are eastern-religion based.
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HeirofSalvation Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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. -
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! -
I had a 2nd degree black belt in taekwon-do.
A first degree black belt in kuksoolwon ( a hapkido style)
I'm presently a Full Instructor in Jeet Kune Do Concepts.
18 years of experience.
What exactly do you want to know? -
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John of Japan Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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. -
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John of Japan Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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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 -
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.
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