INTRODUCTION
We sometimes hear many Christian groups saying that one way of evangelizing the lost is to go where the sinners are and try to reach them. In a sense that is quite right, but I am afraid that many are going too far. We hear of Christian punks, Christian dances (discos), and other worldly behaviors, but Christianized. We have a long history of how man, either in ignorance or on purpose, has adapted certain behaviors in worship or other church activities for the sake of reaching the lost. Church history speaks for itself mainly starting from Constantine (306-337).
In modern times we hear about Christian Science (no sin or devil, nor sickness is some of what they teach), Christadelphians (Jesus was with sinful nature, denying hell), faith healing (you are not right with God if you are sick) Christian Hypnosis Counseling services (promising to help you lose weight, quit smoking, release your stress, etc), Yoga (leading to Hinduistic meditation) and much more. Yet we can't Christianize what God has forbidden.
Coming to our subject, are Christianity and Martial Arts compatible? I am sure that many say they are, while others will say they are not. I have to approach the matter with great care, because in no way do I want to personally attack those who are in the view that Christianity and Martial Arts are compatible. Those who know me personally know that my position is a definite, “No!” They do not agree. These kinds of apologetics need to be approached from the exegetically and hermeneutically correct Biblical perspective, not by misusing scriptures such as 1 Corinthians 9:22-23 “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings” (NIV).
DEFINITION
Encarta Dictionary (2005) defines the term Martial Arts as a combat technique: a system of combat and self-defense, for example Judo or Karate, developed especially in Japan and Korea and now usually practiced as a sport. There are various methods of unarmed combat, originally used in warfare in the Far East and shaped by Eastern Asian philosophical concepts, notably Zen Buddhism.
Root of Origin in History
Now we know that most arts in the East, such as fireworks, were created to worship ancestral spirits. I am sure that no born-again Christian will debate the fact that these so-called ancestral spirits/guardians, etc are nothing else than false gods that the Easterners believe can protect them, heal them, give them power and insight, etc. They are their idols, and this philosophy has its root in Animism. Therefore we know that such gods or idols are nothing else except demons (Deuteronomy 32;17; 1 Corinthians 10:20–21).
Different Categories
Martial Arts are often separated into two categories -- external and internal.
External Chinese Martial Arts are those that use muscular force, combined with speed and sheer strength to produce power. External Martial Arts are best known for their military use. But my concern is that the external category leads to the second category, the internal Martial Arts. They use what the Chinese call chou jing, or wise force, to overcome their opponents. They actively combine Chi, often considered our basic lifeforce energy, with muscle strength to produce power. Arts such as taiji quan (tai chi chuan), xingyi (hsing-i), bagua (pa kwa) are the best known Chinese internal Martial Arts.
Meditation Still Part of Today’s Martial Arts
Today's common internal Chinese Martial Arts have their origins in northern China and always contain some amount of internal training alongside fighting practice. That internal training often includes meditation and special Chi developing exercises. Here is where I begin to see the incompatibility of Biblical Christianity and Martial Arts. The chi is the shout or deep breath sounding like a growl (animal growl) that the karateka sounds during exercises or fighting. The chi brings out the inner power with the kick, punch or block. The 'growl' many times is used to intimidate the opponent, but is also used for breathing while meditation on a particular move. The Bible teaches us that mediation is to be done on the Word of God (Psalm 1). It is through this type of meditation that one can really find genuine inner peace and joy; because the person will be steadfast in all he does because he has God’s Divine Word to guide him. Peace and joy depending only on the ONE Personal God. He will develop a meaningful experience and relationship with Jesus. This can only be understood after entering in the holy presence of God Almighty. There a person can see the King in His beauty (Isaiah 33:17).
LOGICAL APPROACH.
Self-Defense
Let us first see where the two philosophies agree. Martial Arts for Christians is said to be limited to self-defense. Therefore, Christians can learn self-defense to protect themselves just in case the need arises. In my experience as a Christian, I can say that hardly any threatening situations have arisen. The main reason is that I do not go places or spend time with people that can bring physical or spiritual danger. Even when, in a couple of cases, I was threatened (because of my faith), the Lord delivered me from all harm (2 Timothy 4:18). When Jesus was about to be attacked and seized, He just left the place (John 10:39). So did Paul (Acts 9:29). The best self-defense is to stay away from company and places where one can get into trouble, and just leave quietly.
What about a woman defending herself from rape or other physical abuse? It’s unfortunate that such things happen. I am one hundred percent in favor of a person protecting him or herself in such situations. But let’s face it, in order to use Martial Arts techniques one must be in regular practice. Learning a couple of moves “just in case” is not going to do much if one is attacked by a seasoned rapist.
Physical Education
One can argue that Martial Arts (external Martial Arts), are an excellent way to keep your body strong. Pass! No argument against that! But there are countless other ways to keep fit and strong. Really, we do not need external Martial Arts to have excellence in physical education. During the practice of Martial Arts one is taught how to overpower an opponent. Obviously, this will produce an attitude of aggression. Punching, kicking and throwing down another human being cannot produce a graceful, humble, peaceful spirit in a person. This definitely does not help to produce a Christ-like character, and surely one is not being an ambassador of reconciliation. No Spirit of God here, only Chi. I will later describe where Chi gets its force and power from.
Self-Control and Discipline
Defenders of Martial Arts’ compatibility with Christianity claim that Martial Arts give self-control and discipline to the martial artist. Examples are control of the human body and emotions such as anger. Well, in the Bible we read that the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 1:7) is the agent through which God gives us self-control or other discipline, whether it has to do with emotions or controlling the sinful nature. 2 Peter 1:3 says that His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. For this reason scripture says that we can exercise self-control (verse 6).
Any other control outside the realm of the Holy Spirit of God is from the man himself, which means he becomes self-sufficient and does not need God. The other alternative is that the control comes from demons. Knowing the history and use of Martial Arts as compared with the Bible will soon teach us that the control will eventually become demonic.
But what about the adventure element in human beings, especially young people? Is it logical to say that young people will train long hard hours just to wait for an opportunity to defend themselves against an aggressor, maybe while going to church with a Bible in his or her hand? Aren’t they going to seek for an opportunity to practice what they have been learning? Even an argument at home with an older or younger sister will stimulate an opportunity to ”side kick” his or her sibling. It is not honest to say that human nature will not seek for an opportunity. A person who thinks like that does not live in reality; he lives in his martial art spirituality.
THE SPIRITUAL APPROACH
Where Real Danger Starts
There is nowhere in the Bible where it says, “You shall not practice Martial Arts.” But the Bible teaches a lot about spiritualism and the occult. This is where the danger of Martial Arts lies, in the aspect of ‘internal Martial Arts’ mentioned earlier. This is where meditation and concentration to seek inner power (for strength to kill and to destroy swiftly) come from. I am now talking from my own personal experience with Martial Arts. If a person starts to take seriously Martial Arts like I did, that person will soon be introduced to meditation by his sensei or by self-exploration. And if a person pursues this kind of meditation, that person will be opening his or her spirit to all kinds of spiritual activities that make that person crave more spiritualism. Before the person realizes what he or she is doing, that person will be seeking guidance, protection, power and insight (a kind of divination) from the ancient masters, like Buddhists and Shintos and other spiritualists still do today. But of course, there are no such things as spirits of ancient masters, but simply demons. Demons that are more than willing to come and give that person “aid.”
The Chi
Very early in the practice of Martial Arts, the martial artist will be introduced to the concept of Chi. Chi is the energy of life, or life force, that comes from the universe. It is believed that it flows around the body and is present in all living things. This is similar to Mana (In theology mana is used to teach about the supernatural force in Animism). The martial artists want to learn how to get the best out of Chi through meditation. I will abstain from mentioning the techniques used, as I do not want to be a tempter to anyone who is interested in the subject. It is also interesting to mention that the Chinese manipulate Chi through acupuncture, in addition to Martial Arts.
When a martial artist shouts while punching, kicking, breathing during katas ( a combination of moves in sequence to exercise or demonstrate), he is suppose to produce inner power behind the punch or move. My friends, as I will show later, that inner power is nothing less than demon forces using the body for killing or hurting others. I have not mentioned techniques such as the touch of death, where especially possessed people can touch parts of a body and kill or disable it. The blasphemy comes when advocates to Martial Arts compare the Chi with the Holy Spirit of God!
Religious Syncretism
An introduction to a book called ‘Christianity and Martial Arts Power’ by Michel Chen (2002) is introduced like this: This very thoughtful book explains how the spiritual and psychological demands of Martial Arts training can be used to support the teachings of Christianity. Throughout the book, Chen uses multiple passages and stories from the Holy Bible and connects them to essential Martial Arts concepts such as chi.
He puts chi into context, not as a religious concept, but as a universal idea that signifies life's energy. Through careful explanation, he then defines chi, in the context of Christianity, as God's power acting through the vehicle of man by way of the Holy Spirit. Our relationship with God through Jesus Christ, empowerment by the Holy Spirit, intercessory prayer, the will, faith, healing, and the transformed Christian mind are discussed as being enhanced by Martial Arts training.
Anyone who has had any training in hermeneutics will immediately label the above as ”doctrines of demons. In 1Timothy 4: 1-2 we find mentioned that, “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.” How can the kingdom of God have anything in common with the kingdom of darkness? And what can those who are children of God have in common with the children of the devil? How can spiritualism and Christianity be immersed together? What has the spirit of misdirection has to do with the One that leads us into all truth (See next sub-heading)? Well, they can, but then it is called syncretism, a philosophy that tries to combine different systems of believes together. This is a practice that God hates (2 Kings 17:27).
I wish to point out that Martial Arts are definitely not from the Spirit of God Almighty. Those who want to practice them are still live in the flesh and are bound with their spirit. What are we going to have next, Christian prostitution? Those who are of the Spirit of God will quickly dismiss any tolerance for Martial arts. I know the difference because I was in but now I am out.
Martial Arts and Magic
My friends, test all spirits. The subheading "Martial Arts and Magic" is transliterated from a message I read on the internet written by Jarle Leirpoll1, a magician himself, claiming that Martial Arts (Aikido in this case) is very similar to magic, because it is based on misdirection. (Do not forget that magic arts are forbidden in the Word of God, Revelation 9:21; 21:8). He explains that Aikido means the way of harmony with universal energy, a new age philosophy in itself. All the Martial Arts that I know of have the same or similar philosophy. Tell me, how a spirit of misdirection can be compatible with the Spirit of truth given to us by Jesus to give us direction, the Holy Spirit of Truth (John 14:17)? Jarle Lerpoll quotes Sun Tzu the author of "The Art of War" saying, "All warfare is based on deception." Deception is from Satan, truth comes from God.
My Testimony
From a young age, I began to practice Martial Arts. I earned the green belt in Judo, and later joined a Shotokan Karate dojo. I took training very seriously and soon I had a beginner’s club. I was fascinated by a six-dan Japanese sensei that used to visit us regularly from Italy. I was seeking the power that he had. When he punched, the air vibrated. I was introduced to meditation before, but I remember that at some point the ‘advanced’ students used to stay at the dojo after everyone else left to meditate, kneeling down on the wooden floor for hours and sometimes carrying another person on the shoulders while kneeling.. We were being taught how to overcome the pain through selfdiscipline and meditation. I will not give further details. But a point came when I began to see three images moving around the dojo and I felt in my heart that they were ancient warrior spirits. At least that is what I felt they were saying to me. Of course now I know they were demons. I asked them to teach me. They did. They taught me things so that during sparing, not even my sensei could keep up with me. Later I began to ask for more power. I even asked them to enter into me. They did. I had so much power and ability to enjoy and inflict pain that I could ask three or more karatekas to hit me as hard as they could. They became breathless and I was still standing.
1 http://www.leirpoll.com/martialart.htm (accessed July 4, 2005)
Meanwhile I met a Muay Thai fighter. While training with him things got worse. But one thing I did not know, I was falling deep into the occult. I felt there must be more power that I could produce. Therefore, as I was seeking I was introduced to some books by Lobsand T. Rampa. Suddenly I was into the ”third eye” and astral travel. I was hooked with the occult.
CONCLUSION
The Way Out
Many things began to happen in my life. Even when I tried to stop the practice of meditation, I could not shake myself free. I could not find a way out. I lived moving from one problem straight into another. Only when I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and was delivered did I feel really free. I had to renounce the spirit of Martial Arts and the occult. I was led into all this by simply wanting to learn self-defense. One thing lead to another. Like other vices or sins, they just don’t stop. It is like the snowball effect.
Once it starts rolling it just gets bigger. It just began with Martial Arts.
The Word of God is Sufficient
I do not believe we need anything from the world to reach unbelievers. The Word of God is enough. I believe the gospel is the power of salvation to all those who believe (Romans 1:17). We need to preach about the cross of Christ and not dilute a holy message with practices that contain the occult. What shame! There is no way of using scriptures to teach Chi or any other martial concepts. There is no such thing as teaching Martial Arts from a Christian perspective. This is another form of New Age. We do not need a preacher practicing blocks as an example of how to block Satan’s temptations, or kicking to demonstrate spiritual warfare. The Bible gives us the armor of God. The analogies of faith, righteousness, truth, evangelism and the power of the Word of God are enough to teach about spiritual warfare.
God said to us through His apostle Paul:
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
Let our eyes be open and beware of those who peddle the Word of God for profit (2 Corinthians 2:17).
“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
Let us not, by our wrong example, be a means of leading people astray, people who, like me, started to have some fun in training and ended up sliding down into the occult. Let us not be a stumbling block to the weak.
