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Greetings in His name,
I've reviewed a number of the posts over the last few weeks and thought I would weigh in with my $.02 worth.
My black belt thesis 10 years ago was based upon how I would go about using a martial arts program as a tool for Christian outreach. My instructors and the board politely reviewed it without much question, as none were believers. 7 years later I mentioned the concept to my Pastor, as I had heard of several Christian Karate outreach programs across the country. I went over the program concept with my Pastor and received full blessings to initiate some exploratory classes.
In January of '99 we launched the program and I had 85 people show up in the two classes (jr & adult) The whole program is based upon the American Kenpo self-defense system and we incorporate Scripture memorization, student creed, open & close all sessions in prayer, community service awards, Christian service awards, physical fitness awards, and the usual belt promotion system. We further utilize traditional ETIQUETTE, which includes bowing as a sign of respect, along with addressing one another in a proper manner. We don't bow to icons, photos, or my gym bag in the corner :) The program is over 3 years old now and we've had over 250 people participate. I have a core group of 12-14 students who will likely grade to black belt in about 2 years and take the program to their home churches. We have become a center for area martial artists, and often provide spiritual support for those in need.
We have sponsored a number of events including a recent World Record attempt by a fellow Christian, who also used the event to share his testimony, which through the Power of the Holy Spirit, saw over 100 in attendance accept the Lord. (The event drew 737 attendees, 3 network film affiliates, several newspapers and dignitaries)
The martial arts is a trememdous draw to a wide variety of people. It is up to us to use it in an appropriate manner to reach the lost, disciple our fellow believers, and strengthen the body. Certainly there are aspects of the occult in some areas of traditional training, however, for the most part, Eastern "mysticism and occult pratices" have been rejected from a large partion of American Dojo in the last couple decades.
One must be sure to separate the appearance of pratices that could be rooted in other religions, with the practice of those religions. Simply bowing to one another as a show of respect is no different than a salute in the military, yet is is rooted in an Asian cultural pracitce. (By the way, in the military we salute the flag, is that any different than bowing to a flag?)One could easily suggest that the celebration of Christmas has occultic roots, but that doesn't stop every church in America from celebrating the Christ child's birth?
Let's be sure we don't throw out the baby with the bathwater. Certainly we should be discerning, however to reject a beneficial pratice altogether due to questionable (to some) appearances, lacks descernment.
Respectfully, Kevin Schaller |
