Author: Keith A. Morse

Copyright © 1988-1999 Logos Communication Consortium, Inc.

Americans have grown accustomed to the influence of Oriental philosophy. People who once were annoyed or scared by saffron- robed Hare Krishna devotees now think nothing of seeing them in airports. The white-robed, chirping Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, purveyor of Transcendental Meditation, no longer draws stares at his appearance or inspires fear of his teaching. Rather, his methods are widely accepted, even if some just call them "relaxation techniques." The holistic health movement, which has the admirable goal of achieving health in the whole man -- body, soul and spirit -- has been overrun with mystical teachers.

Eastern philosophy has crept into our scientific laboratories. Carl Sagan, host of the PBS series "Cosmos," said that the Hindu religion, with its cycles of birth, destruction and rebirth, probably comes closest to describing the way our universe began and predicting how it will end. Respected researchers in all sorts of fields -- astronomy, physics, biology and chemistry, to name a few -- share Sagan's view that Eastern philosophy may hold the answers to some of nature's toughest riddles.¹

But perhaps Western culture has embraced no Oriental practice more tightly than the martial arts. Most American communities have at least one studio where people can learn Karate, Judo, Tae-Kwon Do, Aikido or other such technique. The television series "Kung Fu" and several Bruce Lee movies have carried the martial arts message far and wide. Lee's movies spread the message that, with Karate, one could defend oneself against all odds. "Kung Fu's" character, played by David Carradine, emphasized the contemplative side of the martial arts -- a man at peace with himself and full of the wisdom of the Orient.

Some Christians have become involved in the martial arts. Some churches have established martial arts classes, perhaps because their leaders saw it as a way for members to encourage fellowship and perform outreach. At least one traveling evangelism team uses Karate to attract an audience.

The rising crime rate has caused many people to consider taking up the martial arts for self-defense. Men and women are learning techniques they hope will save their lives, dignity and wallets when they are confronted by a mugger or rapist and give them self-assurance when they see a group of shadowy figures approaching them on an unlit street.

However, there are some aspects of the martial arts that should give pause to Christians who either are involved in them or are considering involvement.

The Martial Arts are Violent

The very terms "martial arts" and "self-defense" should tip off the Christian that something is wrong. Nowhere in the Bible are Christians told to resort to violence in defense of themselves.² Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, said about self-defense:

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. And whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two... love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:38-44)

The Martial Arts are Man-Centered

When Christians take up the martial arts for self-defense, they are saying to God, "I don't trust You to protect me." Christians are to depend on God for protection. Even death itself should not scare the Christian. In Matthew 10:28, Jesus said, "Do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." The Apostle Paul says in Philippians 1:21, "For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." It is best to leave the matter up to God, for as Jesus said in Matthew 6:29, "Which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life's span?"

Many, though not all, martial arts students are taught to revere their teachers to the point of worshiping them. There is nothing unbiblical about respect for authority, but within the martial arts, this veneration can reach levels that violate the First Commandment. (Exodus 20:3)

The Martial Arts are rooted in Eastern religion

Some martial artists may never have to defend themselves. Reputation or prudence may get them out of every potentially violent situation and the only blows they ever strike are in the practice studio. It is true that most martial artists do not go around looking for a fight. Joe Hyams, in his book, Zen in the Martial Arts, describes an experience in which he used his expertise to avoid a battle he probably could have won.

But even the Christian who never uses martial arts to purposely injure another and trusts the Lord to protect him is getting involved in a religion that contradicts the teaching of the Bible.

Masutatsu Oyama, in his book, This is Karate, says:

"In many countries around the world, the question, 'What is Zen' often turns up. Usually we answer that Zen is karate and that karate is Zen."

By "Zen," Oyama is referring to Zen Buddhism. In describing Zen Buddhism, Oyama says:

"Concentrate on sincerity and on unifying your spirit. Forget yourself, forget your enemies, forget winning and losing, and when you have done so, you will be in the spiritually unified state that is called mu, or nothingness, in Zen. When you have spiritually reached the state of impassivity you will have entered a corner of the Zen world of mu."

This impassive, "spiritually unified" mental state is identical to that achieved in yoga or other meditation-relaxation techniques, hypnosis (see related book review in this issue) or trance mediumship. The Bible forbids such emptying of the mind (Deuteronomy 18:11), calling it one of the "works of the flesh." (Galatians 5:20)

The mental state brought about by such meditation gradually conditions one to adopt a different world view from what a Christian should have. The emptying of the mind brings about a feeling of union with the universe. The word "yoga" means "yoking" or "union." After this experience, the subject can come to believe that he is at one with God or is God, because God is in everything. Arrival at this pantheistic conclusion is the goal of Eastern religions, which teach that man can solve all his problems if only he will realize that he is divine.

It is not surprising that people in this mental state open themselves up to possible demonic influence. The lie they come to believe is almost identical to one Satan told Eve in the Garden of Eden: "You will be like God." Even Christians, who have protection from outright Satanic possession, are wise not to court the spiritual oppression this kind of mental state can invite. Yoga is not for Christians. The only "yoke" we should ever take up is Christ's. (Matthew 10:29-30)

Most martial arts teachers include meditation as part of their instruction. The mental conditioning that meditation brings is largely responsible for the amazing physical feats that advanced martial artists do. Focusing the attention on the single task, such as breaking many boards with a bare hand, is brought about by achieving the impassive Zen mental state.

Christians have no business being involved in the martial arts, even at the most elementary level. The one benefit that can be derived from the martial arts -- exercise -- is available in so many other spiritually harmless activities that there is no reason to open oneself up to the spiritual hazards or commission of sin that these techniques lead to.

Notes:

1. For a study of the influence of Eastern religions on science, start with "The Marriage of Science and Religion,"by the Spiritual Counterfeits Project.

2. The author is not applying this statement to the subject of wars, which in his estimation sometimes are justified.