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Christian Martial Arts - Defined

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“Christian martial arts”[1] is defined differently by various people.  There is no dictionary entry for the phrase "Christian martial arts." Some would describe it as the Christian faith of individual martial artists, yet such a definition does not account for the existence of many Christians martial arts ministries and styles.

This article’s working definition will be a martial arts ministry or system that focuses on evangelism and Christian doctrinal teaching.

What Differentiates Christian Martial Arts From Other Martial Arts

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Why is it necessary to differentiate martial arts in general from Christian martial arts? This clarity is for the benefit of both Christian and non-Christian martial arts styles. Every practitioner seeks to protect and promote the distinctive of their system, and spiritual emphases are critical to many martial artists.

Christian martial arts is a specific subset of martial arts, in much the same way as karate is a subset of the martial arts.

Christian styles prioritize Jesus Christ and avoid non-Christian spiritual practices. Christian instructors train students to develop Christian character, spiritual growth, and maturity.  Many of these ministries emphasize evangelism (proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.)

Controversy

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Within the Christian community, there is a divide over whether or not one may train in martial arts. This article from Got Questions[2] reflects the considerations on both sides of the argument. Another article that examines this topic is from the Christian Research Institute[3], which arrives at a conclusion similar to the Got Questions[2] website.

One side of the controversy believes that the purpose of training is to encourage and enable violence and warfare.  Another argument from this position is that the martial arts are inextricably linked to mysticism or other non-Christian religious practices. Those holding to this position concludes that martial arts are always spiritually harmful within biblical parameters.

The other position believes that there is no Scriptural opposition to practicing martial arts, and, at times, the Bible recognizes and encourages martial skills.  Those taking this position conclude that, like other sports, practicing martial arts is a neutral activity.  This group looks at the philosophies, goals, and approaches of the style and instructor to determine their participation.

Observations From The Bible

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There are many events in the Bible where God’s people enter into physical warfare with their enemies, and martial arts (military skills) are involved.

Christian practitioners of the arts often draw analogies between physical and spiritual warfare.  Here are some observations from the Bible.

Abraham’s Trained Soldiers – In Genesis 14:14, we see Abraham commissioning his trained men to rescue his nephew Lot.  The Easy-to-Read version of the Bible calls them soldiers.

Genesis 14:14 - When Abram learned that Lot was captured, he called all of his family together.  There were 318 trained soldiers.  He led the men and chased the enemy all the way to the town of Dan.  (ERV - Easy-to-Read Version)

David Blesses the Lord for Teaching his Hands how to Make War

Psalm 144:1 - Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:

The Apostle Paul References Wrestling and Boxing

The Apostle Paul spent significant time in Corinth, a city that held ancient Greek Olympics. Interestingly, Paul references these Olympic martial arts sports. Paul mentions wrestling and boxing (as well as other Olympic sports.)

Wrestling - Ephesians 6:12 - For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Boxing - 1 Corinthians 9:26 - So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step.  I fight to win.  I’m not just shadow-boxing or playing around.  (TLB - The Living Bible)

Historical Martial Arts Ministries And References

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Christians practicing martial arts is not a new phenomenon.  As noted in the previous section, martial arts are evident throughout the Bible.  Below is a list of vintage examples of followers of Jesus practicing various martial styles.

List of Active Christian Martial Arts Ministries

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This list includes Christian ministries that use various martial arts styles as tools to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ or teach the Bible.  This list is not intended to document martial arts practitioners who are Christians.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "christian martial arts - Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
  2. ^ a b "Is it right for a Christian to be involved in martial arts?". GotQuestions.org. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  3. ^ Institute, Christian Research (2009-06-09). "Should a Christian Practice the Martial Arts?". Christian Research Institute. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  4. ^ Holcombe, Henry. "Google Books - The Martial Christian's Manual". Google Books.
  5. ^ "Google Books - Black Belt Magazine - Page 53". Google Books.
  6. ^ "Google Books - Black Belt Magazine - August 1969 - Pages 34-36". Google Books.
  7. ^ Vandeman, George E. "Google Books - Christ and Karate". Google Books.
  8. ^ "Google Books - Black Belt Magazine - March 1979 - Pages 52-56. Google Books". Google Books.
  9. ^ "Google Books - Black Belt Magazine - February 1985 - Page 124". Google Books.
  10. ^ "Google Books - Black Belt Magazine - September 1991 - Page 104". Google Books.
  11. ^ "Google Books - Black Belt Magazine - Page 87". Google Books.
  12. ^ Flynn, Bill. "Google Books - Meditations of a Christian Martial Artist". Google Books.
  13. ^ "Google Books - Black Belt Magazine - December 1997 - Page 151". Google Books.
  14. ^ "Google Books - Black Belt Magazine - November 1998 – Page 161". Google Books.
  15. ^ "Google Books - Black Belt Magazine - December 1998 - Page 79". Google Books.
  16. ^ Jones, Kristen Anita. "Google Books - The Christian Subtext of Redemption in Karate is a Thing of the Spirit". Google Books.
  17. ^ Bussey, Robert A. "Google Books - A Biblical Perspective of the Martial Arts". Google Books.
  18. ^ "Google Books - Black Belt Magazine - February 2000 - Page 94". Google Books.
  19. ^ Chen, Michael. "Google Books - Christianity and Martial Arts Power - Basic Concepts and Methods". Google Books.
  20. ^ "Google Books - Black Belt Magazine - June 2003 - Page 137". Google Books.
  21. ^ Williamson, Wendy. "Google Books - Christian Martial Arts 101 (Instructor's Edition)". Google Books.
  22. ^ Lumpkin, Joseph; Covington, Daryl R. "Google Books - The Warrior's Heart Revealed - Christian Warriors Discuss Martial Arts, Ministry and Philosophy". Google Books.
  23. ^ Anthony, Tony; Little, Angela. "Google Books - Taming the Tiger - From the Depths of Hell to the Heights of Glory". Google Books.
  24. ^ Brown, J. "Google Books - Street Smarts from Christian Martial Arts". Google Books.
  25. ^ Covington, Daryl. "Google Books - Purpose Driven Martial Arts". Google Books.
  26. ^ Terry, John. "Google Books - Christian Martial Arts - The Passion, The Calling The Journey". Google Books.
  27. ^ "Google Books - Karate and the Christian,the Parchments,A Fifth Degree Black Belt Thesis". Google Books.
  28. ^ Abrams, Pastor Shaolin MB. "Google Books - The Armor of God Fitness & Training Program - The Key to Ultimate Fitness". Google Books.
  29. ^ Pettitt, Charles J. "Google Books - Lukewarm Christian to Warrior for Christ - It's Time to Prepare for Battle". Google Books.
  30. ^ Troy, Stein. "Google Books - Abishai Style of Taekwondo's Christian Black Belt Academy Character Development Program". Google Books.
  31. ^ Shaw, Patrick. "Google Books - The Fight for Christ". Google Books.
  32. ^ Butler, Jack. "Google Books - Jujitsu for Christ". Google Books.
  33. ^ Cunnings, Brian. "Google Books - God Is a Warrior, I Am a Warrior - Understanding the Martial Aspects of Our God". Google Books.
  34. ^ Wilson, Steve. "Google Books - World Christian Karate Association - Shotokan Log Book". Google Books.
  35. ^ Norman, Glyn. "Google Books - What Martial Arts Taught Me About The Gospel of Jesus Christ - By Glyn Norman". Google Books.
  36. ^ Pettitt, Charles J. "Google Books - The Warrior - Can Mixed Martial Arts and Christianity Coexist?". Google Books.
  37. ^ Blackman, John. "Google Books - Bible Studies for Belts - A Guide for Christian Martial Arts". Google Books.
  38. ^ Blackman, John. "Google Books - Martial Arts Ministry - How To Start A Martial Arts Ministry". Google Books.
  39. ^ Sasamori, Takemi. "Google Books - Bushido and Christianity". Google Books.
  40. ^ "Google Books - Taekwondo Humble Warrior Prayer - Martial Arts Press". Google Books.
  41. ^ Morine, John. "Google Books - Don't Judge a Book by Its Sensei - Martial Arts and Christianity". Google Books.
  42. ^ Hullett, Ron. "Google Books - Born to Fight - The Requirements of a Christian Disciple Are Incredibly Parallel to Those of a Martial Artist". Google Books.
  43. ^ Miskel, Don. "Google Books - Way of the Grandmaster". Google Books.
  44. ^ Lovett, David Z. "Discover how Carrying the Heavy, Burdensome, Oppressive Yoke of Religion Brings Death, But the Yoke of Christ Brings Life". Google Books.
  45. ^ "Christian Martial Arts". Grace Martial Arts. 2012-04-01. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  46. ^ "christian martial arts". Martial Artists of the Faith Worldwide. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  47. ^ KarateWebsites.Net. "CMAC - Home". CMAC. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  48. ^ "Gospel Martial Arts Union – A Place for Christian Martial Artists". Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  49. ^ "Martial arts | Warriors of the Sword Christian Martial Arts". Warriors of the Swor. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  50. ^ "Totally Christian Karate". Totally Christian Karate. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  51. ^ "Karate for Christ International – Christian martial arts association". Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  52. ^ "Yeshua-Do". www.yeshuado.com. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  53. ^ "Christian Karate Association". CKA. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  54. ^ "On Mission Martial Arts | Christian Martial Arts |". Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  55. ^ "American Academy of Martial Arts – Christian Karate & AKBBA Affiliated School". Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  56. ^ "Karate Works". Karate Works. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  57. ^ "Kalos Agon - Christian Martial Art & Self Defense - Enumclaw". Kalos Agon (KA) - Christian Self-Defense Mixed Martial Art, Enumclaw WA. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  58. ^ "Christian Martial Arts". Udemy.
  59. ^ Fighters, Fellowship of Christian. "Fellowship of Christian Fighters". Fellowship of Christian Fighters. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  60. ^ "Christian Karate & Jiu-Jitsu Academy". Christian Karate & Jiu-Jitsu Academy. Retrieved 2024-09-25.


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