Introduction
A martial arts ministry integrates martial arts training with Christian principles.
Few Christian martial arts ministries
1. Gospel Martial Arts Union (GMAU)
“Since our founding in 1986, by two pastors (Dr. Ron Tottingham and Dr. Kent Haralson) the GMAU has grown to include membership in 48 states and 19 foreign countries and is one of the largest conservative Christian martial arts organizations in the world. We have seen thousands of people come to Christ and rejoiced as many churches have established Christ-centered martial arts ministries. Among our membership we have many students and instructors who may not train within the wall of a local church but who practice in YMCAs, recreation centers and even in commercial dojos, but who desire to reveal Christ in their teachings and relationships.
OUR PURPOSE
We are dedicated to encouraging and aiding Christian martial artists to develop a distinctly Christian philosophy of martial arts that is Bible-centric. To that end we publish blogs and publications, and conduct seminars and conferences with the aim of educating and equipping students and teachers alike.”
—Gospel Martial Arts Union (GMAU), About Us. http://www.gmau.org/index.php/about/
2. On Mission Martial Arts (OMMA)
“OMMA Mission Statement
“To see lives changed for God’s glory, using Christ-centered martial arts.”
“Whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
– 1 Corinthians 10:31
“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”
– Romans 11:36ABOUT US
On Mission Martial Arts is a Christian martial arts ministry and a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization focused on spreading the Gospel through teaching martial arts to children and families, developing leaders and charitable service.”
—On Mission Martial Arts (OMMA), OMMA Mission. https://onmissionmartialarts.com/omma_mission/
3. Christian Karate Association (CKA)
“What is the Vision of the Christian Karate Association?
The Christian Karate Association (CKA) passionately envisions transforming the world through an influential and effective ministry program. Our program is designed to foster evangelism, discipleship, and fellowship. Simultaneously, we are committed to achieving and maintaining the highest standards in martial arts.”
“What style(s) of martial arts do you teach and how does it align with Christian principles?
Each school’s martial arts style is unique to its instructor. Our Association is not limited to 1 style. The Headquarter’s main style is Shotokan. Other schools may be Tae-Kwon do or Shito-Ryu, etc. But every school uses our Christian curriculum of Character Qualities, Character Quality studies, Bible Reading and Memorization.”
—Christian Karate Association (CKA), Frequently Asked Questions. https://www.christiankarate.org/faq
4. Hong Kong Gospel Martial Arts Ministry (HKGMAM)
“Vision
The vision of HKGMAM is to proclaim the salvation of Christ Jesus through martial arts.
HKGMAM is an interdenominational ministry. We proclaim the gospel with all kinds of Kung Fu performance. We remove all Asians religious beliefs, violence and superstitions from Kung Fu, proclaims only our Lord Jesus Christ’s teaching, based only one the bible. Martial art is only the mean to proclaim the gospel.”
—Hong Kong Gospel Martial Arts Ministry (HKGMAM), Introduction of Ministry. https://www.martialarts.hk/en/introduction-of-ministry/
5. Karate for Christ International
“About Us
Karate for Christ International was started with the idea of using Karate as a vehicle to evangelize children. As a result thousands of children have come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Over the years other types of martial arts styles have joined us. It all started with Karate, but now our organization open to all styles.” represented are Kick Boxing, Shotokan, Shito Ryu, Goju Ryi, Wado Ryu, Isshin Ryu, Shorin Ryu, Kenpo, Kempo, Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Jujitsu, Aikido, Hapkido, Kung Fu, Muay Thai, and Mix Martial Arts.”
—Karate for Christ International, About Us. https://karateforchrist.com/
6. The Combat Team
“The Combat Team is a Christian Martial Arts Demonstration Team, comprised of a group of young men and women who use their athletic talents as a tool to reach and teach the young, and young at heart, about the Lord and help them live a Victorious Christian Life. The Combat Team is available for a multitude of ministry functions such as Sunday School, Youth & Children’s Church, Vacation Bible School, Day and Summer Camps, Revival, School Demonstrations, Children & Youth Meetings and special events, to name a few. The Combat Team combines an attention holding martial arts demonstration of smashing boards, crushing concrete and high flying kicks with a dramatic presentation of victory over evil to deliver a message of salvation and victory in an age of conflict and uncertainty.”
—The Combat Team, Home. https://www.combatteam.com/
7. Kicks for Jesus
“Mission Statement
We believe that every student is a part of the body of Christ. If given the basic foundation of Bible instruction and nurtured by church and family, students will mature into a Christian lifestyle and serve our Lord with gladness. Kicks for Jesus is dedicated to first teach students God’s word through the memorization of scripture; second, to teach and encourage a daily prayer life; thirdly, to create an opportunity to learn how to cooperate with each other as a group, to respect authority, to build self-confidence, to love and respect each other, family, and the church. We are dedicated to building the church of tomorrow through teaching the students today. Taekwondo is the art of self-defense and self-control. It is the instrument used to attract people to the program. Jesus used fish and bread on occasion, which fulfilled the need at that time. We use the sport of Taekwondo, which has been proven to motivate students to learn, to build self-esteem, and lessen the potential of violence, as well as provide an extracurricular activity that keeps them away from destructive influences outside the church. We believe that all these are needs that must be fulfilled.”
—Kicks for Jesus, Mission. https://www.kicksforjesus.org/mission.html
Why integrate Christianity in martial arts?
Apparently, it appears that the reason to integrate Christianity in martial arts is to propagate Christianity. Martial arts develop a person physically and mentally, and normally, a martial artist is largely occupied with the physical and mental aspects of martial arts. However, martial arts have a global outreach, and therefore, including Christianity as a spiritual aspect of martial arts, may help to promote a Bible-centric Christian philosophy of martial arts to a global audience.
Above & Beyond Christian Counseling video “”Exposing the Dangers Behind Martial Arts and Yoga” – Vito Rallo”:
Keith Yates video “Christianity and Martial Arts”:
Can Christianity be integrated in martial arts?
Some people opine that martial arts open the doors to the demonic and hence should not be practiced at all, while others opine that it may be practiced with Christian principles.
PURIFIED BY FIRE MINISTRY video “Why Christians Should Not Practice Yoga or Martial Arts”:
www.dontperish.com video “Karate and Martial Arts is Not of God”:
Global Mission for Children video “Martial Arts is Demonic”:
Ascension Presents video “Why Watching MMA Strips Human Dignity”:
Cold-Case Christianity – J. Warner & Jimmy Wallace video “Is It Appropriate for Christians to Be Involved in Martial Arts?”:
Hope 103.2 video “Martial Arts: A Christian Response – Dr Ross Clifford, ‘Taboo or To Do’, Part 3”:
Turning the other cheek
Christianity advocates turning the other cheek. The question is what did Jesus actually mean when he taught to turn the other cheek?
Become New video “Here’s what Jesus really meant by ‘Turn the Other Cheek'”:
Big Think video “Why ‘turning the other cheek’ is fundamentally misunderstood | Bishop Robert Barron”:
Got Questions Ministries video “What did Jesus mean when He instructed us to turn the other cheek? | GotQuestions.org”:
How to integrate Christianity in martial arts?
Some of the ways in which martial arts ministries integrate Christianity are as follows:
Using special gifts
One way to integrate Christianity in martial arts is to serve Christ with the special gifts that people have received. It may be that some people are gifted to be martial artists, while some people are gifted for other things. All these variously gifted persons can serve Christ while pursuing their respective gifts.
Ask Pastor Lance video “How can a warrior / martial arts fighter serve Christ?”:
Character qualities
Another way is to infuse character qualities based on Christian values, which can be applied to all areas of personal life, both inside and outside the dojo.
Christian Karate Idaho video “What is Christian Karate?”:
Teaching
Teaching martial arts with a Christian philosophy can be done in a church, a school, a mall, or local parks. Teaching martial arts can also include singing Biblical songs or praying to Christ.
acdaincorg video “Where To Teach Your Martial Arts Ministry”:
Summerville Baptist video “Ministry Highlight: Martial Arts with Ken Boleman”:
Demonstration teams
Yet another way is to form demonstration teams that demonstrate martial arts at events organized in local parks, or community schools, and use their martial arts skills to reach and teach others about Christianity.
JesusStrong Martial Arts video “JesusStrong Martial Arts Demo 2019”:
Karate Dudes video “Combat team Goes to Rio Bravo”:
Books and videos
Book: ” The Complete Bible Studies for Belts Training Manual: Get Discipled and Defend Your Faith (Christian Martial Arts Ministry Bible Studies Book 8): Blackman, John, F, A J: 9781944321604: Amazon.com: Books” https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Bible-Studies-Training-Manual/dp/1944321608/
Videos: Many videos are available on YouTube.
Clothing
Providing martial arts clothing based on Christian themes like the Christian-based MMA clothing company known as “Jesus Didn’t Tap” – https://jesusdidnttap.com/
Church fight club
Creating a fight club in a church is a way of integrating Christianity in martial arts. In a church fight club, fighters, where some are also pastors, fight each other while colliding fist, feet and faith. The following video raises a thought-provoking question, “Can you love your neighbor as yourself and then at the same time knee him in the face as hard as you can?”
Deadline Hollywood video “Fight Church Official Trailer”:
Scripture katas
Another method of integrating Christianity in martial arts, is to invent new katas and patterns based on Biblical themes, known as “Scripture Katas”. One such example of a scripture kata is an “Exodus” kata.
Kicks for Jesus video “Kicks for Jesus Christian Martial Arts – Exodus Kata”:
Conclusion
This article is presented for academic purposes, and without any qualitative or quantitative analysis, it fails to offer any conclusion, and hence, offers no conclusion, whatsoever in any way at all, but rather leaves it open to its knowledgeable readers to arrive at their own respective conclusions.
References:
Gospel Martial Arts Union (GMAU), About Us. http://www.gmau.org/index.php/about/ [Accessed on May 28, 2024]
On Mission Martial Arts (OMMA), OMMA Mission. https://onmissionmartialarts.com/omma_mission/ [Accessed on May 28, 2024]
Christian Karate Association (CKA), Frequently Asked Questions. https://www.christiankarate.org/faq [Accessed on May 28, 2024]
Hong Kong Gospel Martial Arts Ministry (HKGMAM), Introduction of Ministry. https://www.martialarts.hk/en/introduction-of-ministry/ [Accessed on May 28, 2024]
Karate for Christ International, About Us. https://karateforchrist.com/ [Accessed on May 28, 2024]
The Combat Team, Home. https://www.combatteam.com/ [Accessed on May 28, 2024]
Kicks for Jesus, Mission. https://www.kicksforjesus.org/mission.html [Accessed on May 28, 2024]
Jesus Didn’t Tap – https://jesusdidnttap.com/ [Accessed on May 28, 2024]
” The Complete Bible Studies for Belts Training Manual: Get Discipled and Defend Your Faith (Christian Martial Arts Ministry Bible Studies Book 8): Blackman, John, F, A J: 9781944321604: Amazon.com: Books” https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Bible-Studies-Training-Manual/dp/1944321608/ [Accessed on May 28, 2024]
Nick Watson and Brian Bolt (Jan 11, 2015), Mixed martial arts and Christianity: ‘Where Feet, Fist and Faith Collide’. The Conversation. https://scroll.in/article/698970/mixed-martial-arts-and-christianity-where-feet-fist-and-faith-collide [Accessed on May 28, 2024]
Wolff, R. (2021). Fight Sports and the Church: Boxing and Martial Arts Ministries in America. McFarland.
Greve, J. (2014). Jesus didn’t tap: Masculinity, theology, and ideology in Christian mixed martial arts. Religion and American Culture, 24(2), 141-185.
Watson, N. J., & Brock, B. (2015). Christianity, boxing and mixed martial arts: reflections on morality, vocation, and well-being. Journal of religion and society, 17.
DISCLAIMER: This article is presented purely for academic purposes and is thus, absolutely objective, totally unbiased, and provides data supported with references, so as to foster learning in a scholarly way, and contribute to the collective advancement of human understanding. Any data copied from any website is duly acknowledged by giving due credit with name of the website and its URL (Uniform Resource Locator) link, both at incitation and references, so as to comply with the rigor of academic writing.
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