Martial Arts and the Bible

[ziontkd]

God Bless you for your post. When some of my fellow students found out what I was going to name my school they quickly told me I would be making a big mistake. The club is Zion Taekwondo. it is great to see there are people of god in the martial arts that are not afraid to speak about it.

[italian_guy]

Exellent article indeed, it clarifies a lot of discussions we had in this forum about christians and martial art. I perfecly agree with it. The biggest issue to be clarified was about turning the other cheek that can be easily misunderstood and I think this article clarify it very well.

[Why_Worry]

Very good article. It points out the fact that martial arts can be peaceful and doesnt need to be only in self defense. I think if you just follow your conscience you will do whats right msot of the time. What my sensei tells me is that if you ever get in a fight the goal is to escape and not to fight. Remember the goal is not to win, but rather not to loose.

[atalaya]

this has been a topic of deep interest to me and many of my friends. it appears that there is substantial evidence in support of a divine fighting method- especially during the wrestle Jacob had with an angel (gen 32:24-32) wherein the angel "touched the hollow of his thigh" and the sinew shrank and it went out of joint.

i have also heard it said that "turning the other cheek" had quite a bit of political significance as well. slaps were given with the back of the right hand when given to someone of lower station (this is the same society that determined the kinds of knots you could tie on shabbot). turning the other cheek put you on similar social status with the "attacker" since they had to use the palm to slap again (no one would use left hand for that kind of thing, not even mean people)

[Jay]

that raised some very good points in not religious but i found it particularly interesting well done can we have another one!

[Thruhiker]

Tomkatch,

Way to put a lot of thought and effort into this article. It's a tough question that a lot of Christians wrestle with when they think about starting a Martial Art.

I believe that Martial Arts is a great enhancement to a Christian walk. The tenets follow along with Christian living.

As a Christian you wonder WWJD? In all honesty I believe Jesus would not raise a finger to harm anyone no matter the circumstances. To cause harm would have defeated JC's purpose for being on earth. After all he has the power to do anything!!

Does this mean that we as Christians should not fight. I don't know the answer to that question. I think it depends on your purpose in life. Gandhi wouldn't have hurt anyone for any reason. One of my purposes is to make sure I go home to my family every night. Another purpose is to make sure my family is safe.

Conclusion: Each person has to answer this question for themselves.

[sapper6]

one of my favorites,

...Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.

 

Psalm 144:1

great article

[sdargie]

It would be great to see an analysis like this for other religions as well. *hint hint to anyone with the experience*

[liquidkudzu]

Excellent article!

lk

[y2_sub]

Very good article