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[EtainSkirata]

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[Pavel Mosko]

Maybe I'm over thinking it, but, anyone have any thoughts?

Funny you mention this thread. I'm moving back to California, and noticed that their is a Wing Chun academy near where my parents live which is where I will be living to and decided I am going to loose a bunch of weight that I have accumulated over the decades to once more do something that was a great positive influence on my life. I also see this as a good bit of Providence because it fits closely to the original martial art I studied in my late teens, and this use to be rare in the US, so having the place be only a mile or two from where I will be living is a real blessing!


In my estimation there is no "gray zone" the martial arts are almost completely positive and the Christians that are against them quite often do not get the most basic aspects of the Faith very well!

I got lots to say about that: I'm talking about basic Biblical themes like "being a disciple" and having discipline, not to mention other stuff like the spiritual life / life of faith is a journey, the importance of patience in learning and problem solving and many, many more!


I also can say much the opposite, so much of the most negative things in my life came at the hands of so called "Christians", and doubly so for the many years I went attending Christian parochial schools.

 

[tampasteve]

I see no issues with martial arts or boxing from a Christian perspective. Assumedly whomever is participating in the boxing match is doing so willingly, it is not like he is going out picking fights on the street or fighting out of anger. Martial arts can have a spiritual aspect, but that can be applied using Christianity rather than an Eastern religion, so again, I don't see any issues.

 

[EtainSkirata]

I guess I should clarify my question, because the issue at hand is reflective of a bigger question! Mainly: when we disagree on grey areas with someone we love, how do we go about continuing to be loving, and supportive of their thing/sport/whatever? Because I want to encourage him, but I also want to make sure I'm doing the right thing (re: that verse in Romans about eating meat without faith and it being a sin).

 

[Pavel Mosko]

I guess I should clarify my question, because the issue at hand is reflective of a bigger question! Mainly: when we disagree on grey areas with someone we love, how do we go about continuing to be loving, and supportive of their thing/sport/whatever? Because I want to encourage him, but I also want to make sure I'm doing the right thing (re: that verse in Romans about eating meat without faith and it being a sin).

I guess I would try the Socratic method and ask the person questions, and when they start giving opinions that are unfounded get very precise and ask them to flesh it out with specific Bible passages, Lexicon terms etc. and not just take the words of what some preacher says who likely does not even hand a first hand experience of the martial arts but is simply repeating a lot of Christian hearsay and urban legends.


To some degree the Devil is in the details, much of the objections to things may be based on things that are related to things like Zen meditation etc. And this kind of thing can vary from dojo to dojo, and maybe there are few New Agey places you should avoid. But I don't think that is largely common, big difference of clearing your mind and focusing it to do something like break a board vs. being some Buddhist monk. In the same way, America has Americanized many things like the cuisine of the world, we also have secularized the martial arts as well.

 

[Br4nd0n]

I also want to make sure I'm doing the right thing (re: that verse in Romans about eating meat without faith and it being a sin).

I honestly dont see how a physical discipline like this could be sinful unless it becomes an idol.
Ive been struggling with my own bag, and God gave me 2 thess 5:23-24, i think it is. And it gave me a reassurance. I trust God will also give you the direction and reassurance you need in this matter, take care !

 

[Der Alte]

Hello!
My wonderful boyfriend practices martial arts and boxing. He's great at it, and I'm happy he has something he enjoys.
However, I'm personally on the fence about whether or not boxing/martial arts is okay for a Christian to do. I think there's a lot of back and forth on this issue, and personally I do a self defense martial arts, the purpose of which is self defense, not beating people up. But for things like boxing, I'm less sure because that's more of a "beating people up" sport.
I'm sure my boyfriend is doing these sports with a clear conscience. But how can I be a supportive girlfriend and encourage him to do things that I myself am not certain on? He might want to even open a gym someday, too, and if I was married to him, I'd have to help.
Maybe I'm over thinking it, but, anyone have any thoughts?

I am an ordained serving pastor. In the mid '70s I, as a Christian, was a Military Policemen [MP] serving in Korea. Korea was the birth place, so to speak, of the martial art, Tae Kwon Do [TKD] [Fist, Foot, Way]. I spent most of my evenings learning and practicing TKD. I earned a black belt while in Korea. As an MP I almost had to use TKD one time. An intoxicated soldier decided not to use a broken bottle against me.
I continued to practice TKD for about 10 more years. I only stopped after having abdominal surgery and being advised to avoid blows to my abdomen. TKD as most martial arts are defensive not offensive.

 

[littleangelone]

i would say pray & ask the Lord for discernment, i'm not against martial arts for self defense, i don't know if i could agree with the UFC,

 

[Blade]

Hello!
My wonderful boyfriend practices martial arts and boxing. He's great at it, and I'm happy he has something he enjoys.
However, I'm personally on the fence about whether or not boxing/martial arts is okay for a Christian to do. I think there's a lot of back and forth on this issue, and personally I do a self defense martial arts, the purpose of which is self defense, not beating people up. But for things like boxing, I'm less sure because that's more of a "beating people up" sport.
I'm sure my boyfriend is doing these sports with a clear conscience. But how can I be a supportive girlfriend and encourage him to do things that I myself am not certain on? He might want to even open a gym someday, too, and if I was married to him, I'd have to help.
Maybe I'm over thinking it, but, anyone have any thoughts?

I agree pray about it ..I think sharing how you feel with him about it is a good start.

 

[BobRyan]

Hello!
My wonderful boyfriend practices martial arts and boxing. He's great at it, and I'm happy he has something he enjoys.
However, I'm personally on the fence about whether or not boxing/martial arts is okay for a Christian to do. I think there's a lot of back and forth on this issue, and personally I do a self defense martial arts, the purpose of which is self defense, not beating people up. But for things like boxing, I'm less sure because that's more of a "beating people up" sport.

I agree it is a "beat people up" sport.

The way to motivate a change is to do something together that is a focus on the life of Christ - to see how a Christian world view contrasts to those other non-Christian options. I would not focus on a "you are bad" theme. Let him see Christ first.

So for example - this world-class commentary on the life of Christ - is a great way to get many days of enjoyment together in a project, a reading event - that will draw you both closer to Christ.

The Desire of Ages