Christianity & Martial Arts
Doesn't the Bible say "turn the other cheek" - why should I learn to fight?
C.S. Lewis, a very popular Christian theologian, has this observation for us "Does anyone suppose that our Lord's hearers understood Him to mean that if a homicidal maniac, attempting to murder a third party, tried to knock me out of the way, I must stand aside and let him get his victim? I think it impossible that they could have so understood him."
"I believe the meaning of the words was perfectly clear - insofar as you are simply an angry man who has been hurt, mortify your anger and do not strike back. If however, your motives are other than egotistic retaliation, then not only are you free to protect yourself and others, rather it is your responsibility to do so."
The late Francis Schaeffer put it this way: "The Bible is clear here: I am to love my neighbor as myself, in the manner needed, in a practical way, in the midst of a fallen world, at my particular point of history. This is why I am not a pacifist. Pacifism in this poor world in which we live - this lost world - means that we desert the people who need our greatest help."
"What if you come upon a big, burly man beating a tiny tot to death and plead with him to stop. Suppose he refuses? What does love mean now? Love means that I stop him in any way I can, including hitting him. To me this is not only necessary for humanitarian reasons: it is loyalty to Christ's commands concerning Christian love in a fallen world. What about the little girl? If I desert her to the bully, I have deserted the true meaning of Christian love - responsibility to my neighbor."
Are you teaching people to be violent?
This is a common question but is often asked out of a misunderstanding of the definition of violence and the idea that violence is always wrong.
We teach self defense and fighting techniques. Fighting should never be initiated, but should only be a response to an attack. Violence by definition is "force used to cause injury or damage". If violence must be used for protection of ourselves, our loved ones, or the defenseless, then yes - we will teach people to be violent in an honorable and Christian manner.
Will there be influences of Eastern religion?
No - These classes are devoid of Eastern influences. We teach the physical, mental, and disciplined aspects of the art, and incorporate biblical teachings as we study.
What style is being taught?
We teach the Korean style "Tang Soo Do". It is a 2,000 year old martial art.
Conclusion
With proper instruction, the study and practice of martial arts offers christians an enjoyable alternative to conventional exercise programs. They are also a practical means of providing security for family, self, home and others. If approached correctly, I find nothing in them that conflicts with biblical truth.
References: Matthew 5:39 • The Christian Research Journal • Bob Orlando a Christian martial artist