The Christian Martial Arts Connection

When we think about, read about or watch martial arts movies we associate the martial arts with eastern religion or possibly violence. We either envision a group of earth loving people meditating to Buddhist or Taoist chants or the violent sword welding scenes from “Kill Bill” and video games. Other people’s perception of the martial arts might come from their visit to a traditional school that bows to their belts and photos of Masters that have past away. They yell out commands in the Asian language of the country from which their martial art was developed. I have even heard of instructors that will practice their forms (prearranged martial arts movements) on the tomb of the dead Masters to acquire their power. Some other people think of the martial arts as the military like art of the “Cobra Kai” from the “Karate Kid” movies. Yet, the most popular representative of the martial arts is the peaceful warrior the Shaolin Monk.

 

All of the above as diverse as they might be are true. Pretty much most of it is against our Judeo/Christian believes. Kung Fu, Karate, Judo, Aikido, Tae Kwon Do, Tai Chi and Thai Boxing to name a few did come from Asia and has it’s roots in Eastern Religion. What people do not know is that all martial arts did not come from Asia. There are martial arts that did not have any links to any Eastern Religion. Numerous martial arts have been developed in countries in Europe, Native American, Africa and even Muslims have their kung fu system. Pankration a Greek fighting art can be traced back as far as any Asian art. It is a complete martial art that combines stand up striking and grappling. It was also a sport in the first Olympics. There are modern martial arts like Israeli Martial Arts (Krav Maga, Haganah), Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and today’s mix martial arts seen on the Ultimate Challenge that do not have any links to eastern religion. As a Christian the martial art that you decide to pursue does not matter as long as you stay away from violence and any apparent or hidden Eastern Religion. There are Americanized martial arts systems that have broken off from Eastern Religion. Ed Parker the Father of American Karate was a Mormon and striped the religion from American Kenpo. There are also numerous Christian Martial Arts organizations.

 

What most people don’t know is that America’s best known martial artist, Billy Blanks the “Tae Bo creator” and Chuck Norris movie star and “Walker Texas Ranger” TV star are devoted Christians. Blank’s closes his school on Wednesday, his Bible study day. Norris has had numerous Christian theme episodes on “Walker.” A few years ago I was speaking to one of Chuck Norris bodyguards and close friend from his competitive days Howard Jackson and he told me that Norris was always preaching salvation to him and inviting him go to church. Former Ultimate Challenge champion Vitor Belfor is also a Born Again Christian.

 

I have been a Christian for over 19 years and in that time I have had numerous Christians and Pastors tell me that as a Christian I should not practice or teach martial arts. I strongly disagree and in future articles I’ll focus on that and what to look out for when studying the martial arts. Don’t get me wrong all Christians are not anti-martial arts I teach at a Christian school Divine Savior Lutheran Academy and I’ve done numerous demonstrations and workshop in Christian Churches from South Florida to North Carolina. I meet my Pastor doing a demonstration for the church festival. Let me leave you with a verse from the Bible that tells you what Jesus told his disciples (Luke 22:36-38). Shortly after Jesus was arrested, he told his disciples to sell their coats and buy swords. “The disciples told Jesus that they had two swords. “That is enough” Jesus replied. After reading this please don’t go out and buy a sword, unless your calling is to preach in a maximum security prison. The bible says that those that live by the sword shall die by the sword. Yet, Jesus told his disciples that two swords were enough. This tells me that Jesus did not believe in violence yet he wanted his disciples to be able to defend there selves. If two swords were good enough for the disciples I believe that learning to defend yourself and your loved ones should be good enough for us. What parent would let someone hurt his or her child? Yet, how many are prepared if the situation occurred. The Old Testament is full of stories of great warriors for God. Who can forget David slaying Goliath and the mighty Samson? With

Self defense training you can defy the odds and be a David.

 

Christian Martial Arts is as controversial as Christian Rock. I would like to leave you with a quote from POD when they were asked if they were a Christian Rock Band. Their answer was we are Christians that play Rock. If you are Christian and you work as a plumber, do you walk around telling people hey, I'm a Christian' plumber? I doubt that. With that in mind I can tell you that I am a Christian that teaches martial arts. I will teach you regardless of your sex, race or religion. I will not impose my beliefs on you unless you want to hear it and I will not discriminate or treat you different if your belief is not like mind. I know that my success and gift of teaching martial arts and fitness comes from my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, yet as a martial arts instructor I’ll respect your believes.

Comments

[Master James Perkins]

Very well written!! Sifu Anta has made some excellent points. I recently attended a church where some very well known professional football players attend. I was thinking to myself.. Football in all reality, is far more violent than martial arts yet I don't think I have ever seen anyone say "you shouldn't play football because your a christian."
I believe as Christians in martial arts, we need to educate those that don't understand and continue to show that martial artist can be christians and christians can be martial artist.

[David Amirault]

You said, "The Old Testament is full of stories of great warriors for God. Who can forget David slaying Goliath and the mighty Samson? With Self defense training you can defy the odds and be a David."

I just thought it interesting to point out that David did not need any form of martial art in order to defeat Goliath. God is the same today, yesterday and tomorrow, if He was able to guide David to victory against Goliath then He can guide me to victory against any foe without my having studied any martial art, just as He did for David.

You said, "I know that my success and gift of teaching martial arts and fitness comes from my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, yet as a martial arts instructor I’ll respect your believes."

I'm not interested that anyone should respect MY beliefs but rather that they should know for themselves the will of God in their lives.

Concerning the comments by PDO and Master James Perkins, things do not become Christian simply because we put a Christian label on them. Otherwise we would have Christian alcohol and cigarettes and perhaps Christian pornography.

[Julio Anta]

David Amirault, I'm not here to debate the bible. What I wrote is my personal belief and conviction. If you feel that I'm wrong please pray for me. The nation of Israel prayed yet they prepared for battle just like any other military force. They did not sit around doing nothing but praying to go to battle. Battles then were even more physical then today so they had to be in great shape and prepared.

David was a highly trained fighter and used unconventional tactics to win. Do you think that he picked up a sling shot for the first time when he battled Goliath? He also protected his sheep killing Lions and Bears with a club. I agree David did not need martial arts his training as a Shepard was way above any current martial arts training and God's power can turn any situation around.

You misunderstood my point. I never claim to be a Christian Martial Artist. I'm a Christian that teaches martial arts and fitness. I'm a christian by faith but a martial arts/fitness instructor by trade. Some Christian Martial Artist do not teach non-Christians, I do.

One day when we met the Lord in Heaven we'll finally know who was right. All we can do now is pray for each other. God bless, Julio Anta