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John Porta has put forward a blurred and blended definition and interpretation of the Martial Arts and Christianity, which is regretfully misleading and not true. I am not flaming John (it seems the protocol of this group to use the first name), but giving a response to his request to examine his Web site. Strong disagreement is not the same as flaming. Examining each point in turn on his Web site http://www.mightywarriorministries.org/qaflyer.htm :
What is Martial Arts?
John's definition of the term Martial Arts, is not a popular definition, or supported by the Chambers Concise 20th Century Dictionary, which states "any of various combative sports or methods of self-defence (usually of oriental origin) including karate, kung fu, etc.". It is therefore misleading to insinuate that the origins of (Asian) Martial Arts as we know them today were practiced in some form by Biblical warriors.
Accounts of warfare can be found in the scriptures, however the whole thrust of the Old Testament battles that Abraham, Joshua, David and many others had, was the complete and total reliance on the Lord to give them the victory. Indeed, in Exodus 33:2 the Lord says "I will send an angel before thee: and I will drive out the Cannanite, the Amorite.". All the verses cited by John, merely reinforce the position that the Lord was fighting for the Israelites and giving them the skills to do it. God was not involved in (Asian) Martial Arts, or in the "practices related to military pursuits". He was involved in warfare, using his power to support and secure victory. No doubt the warriors had military skills, but not occult practices.
Where did martial arts originate?
Again warfare is being equated with the "practices related to military pursuits" to support (Asian) Martial Arts as we know them today.
Are there biblical accounts of Martial Arts?
From Genesis 14:14, it does indeed state that Abraham, "armed his trained servants", to go to into battle. They were trained to fight in battle, with arms, in a God fearing household, but that does not therefore justify the practice of (Asian) Martial Arts as we know them today with the occult practices, chi force, and relatively recent origins in idolatry of another religion. In Abraham's battle, Genesis 14:20 states "Blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand.", which shows that God was with Abraham, securing victory when he was vastly out numbered. This hardly fits in with the individualism ethos of the Asian Martial Arts culture of today.
What is a black belt?
Again there is another move to sanitise and equate the grading system of Asian Martial Arts as we know them today, which is based on an individuals fighting proficiency, to the roles and responsibilities in the armed forces. Then to further conceal the origins of (Asian) Martial Arts it is stated that Biblical warriors can therefore be considered as black belts.
Who were the first black belts?
Nowhere in John's definitions does he ascribe the victories that Joshua, Gideon, David and others had to the work of God, but to their own skills and proficiency as warriors. Why? So that John can relate a modern day Martial Arts symbol of individual proficiency on them to justify the practice of modern day Martial Arts. Can you think for one moment that Abraham, Joshua, Gideon, David and the others would want to be associated with a symbol that denotes an in depth knowledge, understanding and proficiency in practices that are routed in another religion and occultism, which God hates?
Are all martial arts the same?
The next move to try and cleanse (Asian) Martial Arts is to equate different neutral sports, that have absolutely nothing to do with the occult and another religion, with the styles of (Asian) Martial Arts. This is again misleading, as neutral sports do not have the same spiritual origins and dangers as (Asian) Martial Arts.
How did martial arts spread from the Middle and Near East?
Again the link is trying to be made between the Middle Eastern Biblical warriors with the Asian Martial Arts. Even if this link could be proved, Asian Martial Arts practiced today are now infused with an occult philosophy, albeit masked in the sport version.
Consider for example the story of Gideon, the Lord deliberately instructed Gideon to downsize his army from 32,000 to 300 men, Judges 7: 2-7. The Lord then caused panic, in-fighting and fleeing in the enemy camp. Yes, Gideon's men and others Israelis killed many of the enemy with the sword as they fled, but the victory gave glory to God, not to Gideon's ability to fight.
John omits to point out that when Martial Arts is "integrated into all cultures and societies, and it is practiced by those of various religious beliefs and customs," that both the religion and the culture are also integrated into the Martial Arts. If this were not the case, this discussion would not be taking place. So strong is the religious integration that in the case of today's Asian Martial Arts the "practices related to military pursuits" are completely infused with the occult.
What is the main misconception of martial arts history as it relates to China?
In the previous sections, John has shown how Asian Martial Arts, which is the popular definition, were developed amongst Chinese Monks and the general populace that followed other religions. Yet there is no warning given that even today the practices and beliefs of these other religions are still used by many classes and serious Martial Art experts. Indeed the whole Martial Arts culture is steeped in it. Yes individuals may not follow those teachings, but it is still evident in many ways in the dojo etiquette and amongst many serious Martial Artists and training programmes.
What is the most popular martial art in the West, and is "religion" involved in the training?
John is again misleading to imply that because the philosophy taught at Shaolin was not incorporated into Karate training, therefore karate has left behind its religious background. Take for example "Wado-ryu, 'way of harmony', founded in 1939, it is a system of karate developed from jujitsu and karate by Hienori Otsuka as taught by one of his instructors, Gichin Funakoshi. This style of karate combines basic movements of jujitsu with techniques of evasion, putting a strong emphasis on softness and the way of harmony or spiritual discipline." This very popular style has for one a very strong emphasis on the spiritual aspect. Many other styles have a similar philosophy at their root or in the practice.
Where does the martial artist derive power from?
There is no mention of Chi here and how the philosophy of Martial Arts is to harness and direct Chi towards one's opponent. This is occult, something a Christian can have nothing to do with. Sure, amazing purely physical feats can be done by humans, but can a Christian be associated with practices and a Martial Arts culture that advocates the use of Chi for an extra edge. A Christian should have nothing to do with a person who uses or demonstrates Chi, as this would be the same as going to a Spiritualist or Occult meeting.
The use of Martial Arts or any other sporting activity as a platform to evangelise is not scriptural and based on the premise that we need to "capture peoples attention" or "get people interested in Christianity" before they will even consider to hear the gospel. There is absolutely no scripture support for this position. The Apostles were first of all given the gift of evangelism amongst over gifts, and preached the gospel where and when the Lord led them. Shows or attractions were not used to draw a crowd. They preached the gospel of faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and saviour from sin by obeying the commandment to repent. If the hearers did not want to know they moved on shaking the dust off their feet as Christ had instructed them to do. God is responsible for salvation, and even to whom the message is to be preached, not human based endeavours to win people for Christ.
God's power is given to those who trust and obey Him and execute His will. It is not something that can be called upon for self-glorification and to demonstrate ones prowess in a sport or Martial Art performance.
Is it correct to pray against a spirit of martial arts or a specific martial art?
By redefining Martial Arts, John has separated the religious aspects, but that is clearly not the reality in the Asian Martial Arts culture, which is the mainstream of modern popular Martial Arts. The reality is that main stream Martial Arts exposes the Christian directly to other religions and occult practices and philosophies, although they can be obscured by rationalisation and westernisation in the Sport side.
What about the yells or shouts?
Breathing techniques and the harnessing of chi are an integral part of the Martial Arts practices. The term "Kiai", the karate shout of power" is formed from "Ki" the symbol for spirit or energy, and "ai" is the symbol for a meeting or union. The shout of power is but the product of this union of body mind and spirit. The Kiai is the release of energy from the Hara, located two inches (three fingers) below the navel. Ki is released through kiai. Sport karate may like to redefine kiai as a shout to startle an opponent, but its occult origins are still there.
The kata, the Budo ritual, which also incorporates kiai at certain points is also very similar to the Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram, which is a sequence of movements (kata) in which the Magician banishes (fights) the elemental demons (opponents) with shouts at certain points of the ritual (kata) while united with the his/her spirit (ki) in the (hara) of his being. Can a Christian therefore by redefining terms and definitions say that Asian Martial Arts have nothing to do with the occult or religious origins?
What about bowing?
John has omitted to point out that the dojo is considered to be holy ground and that the bow on entry to the dojo is to the spirit of dojo, with the words 'Onegai shimasu' , meaning "please help me" uttered in same classes. He has also omitted the presence in some dojos of Buddhist figurines and in some classes bowing to them. There is much more to the bowing routine in Martial Arts than the customary bowing to an opponent before and after a fight.
What about trusting in the Lord? Why should a Christian want to study martial arts?
The citing of James 1:5 to back up the study of Martial Arts is a gross misrepresentation of the text, which clearly states that if you are lacking wisdom, the ability to discern God's will or what is right and wrong, to ask God and he will give it to you, not ask man or learn Martial Arts to gain wisdom.
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him".
Citing benefits, does not justify doing wrong, or disobedience, according to the scriptures. Christ never promised that being a Christian would be free from trouble and persecution, quite the opposite. The culture and origins of Asian Martial Arts is clearly not of God, therefore other neutral ways of achieving the fitness and discipline benefits of sport must be sought by a Christian.
What are some of the difference in martial arts organisations?
It is true that the teacher or Sensei does have a major influence on the content of a Martial Arts class, but that still does not separate the culture and origins of Asian Martial Arts. Given the points above concerning kiai and kata, and the whole Asian Martial Arts culture, can a Christian have anything at all to do with it?
The proposition still stands that Christian should completely remove themselves from the culture of Asian Martial Arts. Its origins and occult practices should be clearly identified and eliminated from any combative or self-defence training. A natural follow on is that Christians should not in anyway be associated with Asian Martial Arts or its grading system, which includes kata.
Finally, reflect on the following scriptures in II Corinthians 6: 14-18:
"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."
James | 
