Christian mystic martial arts

Ok, so Im a martial artist. I have been for nearly 22 years, and yet Ive only been a believer for 6 years. So I think its high time Ive developed a martial arts curriculum.

But first, why? Arent there christian martial arts schools out there?

Easy answer, yes. But in reality... No. There are Christians who run martial arts schools, and they may, at best, pray with their students, do bible memorization, or discuss certain aspects of doctrine; but these practices happen in between, before, or after martial arts training. They are not related to the actual style of martial arts.

They happen in addition to the training. They do not flow out of the training. This is a problem. It is syncretistic -- that is, it melds two things together. It does not derive from a single source.

Therefore, a truly Christian martial art needs to come as a direct result of Christian doctrine, led by the Holy Spirit.

Obviously, there are health benefits to martial arts. But there are also health benefits in other nonviolent sports like swimming and tennis. Until we deal with the fact of violence, we can not deal with health.

Also, in order for a discipline to be called a spiritual discipline, it must produce the fruits of the spirit. After we deal with the fact of violence to determine if we even can make such a thing, we must then see if it is good for growing in Christian maturity.

Therefore, there are seven precepts which we must expound and explain before continuing. They are as follows:

These are the topics I will expound in later installments:

1. Meekness and turning the other cheek - what does Jesus really mean, and arent Christians supposed to be pacifist?

2. War for justice -- assuming we as Christians can engage in violence, we must then do so righteously. Is there such a thing as just violence.

3. War for defense -- does turn the other cheek mean we allow all sorts evils upon ourselves and God's people? When do we take up arms to defend ourswlves and our home?

4. War for reclaiming territory -- can violence be a tool for taking back that which evil has taken? Is this justified, or is it just an excuse for vengence?

5. Discipling the flesh -- is this practice good for producing fruits of the spirit? Does it assist in mortifying the flesh as Paul instructs us in Collosians?

6. Caring for the temple -- some styles of martial arts are desteuctive to the body while others are not. How can we be sure we are not damaging our temple while not slipping into New Age and Eastern mysticism?

7. Discipleship -- does the teaching fulfill the great comission?

My hope is to explore these ideas in depth in the upcoming weeks and months. If this proves to be true and fruitful, only than can we begin developing curriculum.