As a Christian plus a martial arts student, I've frequently wrestled with all the thought of self-defense. Does God expect me to defend my family members and myself when physically attacked or am I to "turn the other cheek" and endure it inside the name of Jesus? As I deemed the quite a few comments I encountered on this topic, I became much more confused. Some advocates for "religion" have gone as far as to say that everyone who practices any kind of martial arts is without a doubt bound for hell. It wasn't until I committed myself to a far more thorough study on the scriptures that I discovered the truth for myself. The Bible offers much more than a few examples in the practice of self-defense and the idea of martial arts. I'd like to share a few of what I've discovered aikido in this study in the Bible - Old Testament and New. The Bible is, in fact, the quite word of God (II Timothy three:16-17).
God and Warfare
The very first example of a physical struggle inside the Bible is in Genesis chapter 4. It can be here that Cain kills his brother Abel. This can be an act of violence condemned by God for two motives. Initially, the violence was out of anger and jealousy due to the fact his brother's actions were greater than his own (Genesis four:4-7). Secondly, the violence was pre-meditated. God confronted Cain ahead of this violence occurred. He told Cain that he would have to determine how you can master the sin of anger and jealousy that was trying to overtake him. What this scripture teaches is that God does not want us to initiate violence but he desires us to train ourselves to master our feelings when tempted with feelings of anger, jealousy and rage. He desires us to prepare our hearts to respond humbly. I believe the study of martial arts can deliver this type of education. I have observed it in my son's martial arts class. His sensei (teacher) may possibly devote up to half of your one-hour class teaching the youngsters humility, manners, concern for other individuals and peace-making. They are taught to prevent violence and remain calm in conditions of conflict. This kind of character education is suitable in line with all the example of God's education of Cain.
The subsequent biblical example of a conflict involving a physical struggle is discovered in Genesis chapter 14. In this chapter, kings are at war and Abram's nephew, Lot, and Lot's household are taken captive. In response to hearing the news about his relatives, Abram sends guys to rescue them. In Genesis 14:14-16, Abram sent out "the 318 educated men born in his household". It appears that although Abram was not at war, he had a training plan for his family and household. It was clearly a education program for warfare of some type - in addition to a fantastic one, at that, since they were victorious in returning Lot, his loved ones and all of their possessions in the hands of warring kings. Right after Abram's effective rescue, he's honored by God and reminded that God had created him thriving against his adversary. God later renames Abram, "Abraham" and he becomes the founding father of faith for the Jewish people (and later Christians also).
To clarify the meaning of the term "martial arts", Webster's defines the word martial as "warfare" or "warrior", and arts as "a ability acquired by study". Within the story of Abram rescuing Lot, the Bible gives us an instance of warrior coaching. Not everybody in Abram's household was a component with the 318 educated men, however the ones that have been had exceptional martial arts instruction. And God helped them to be victorious as they executed their warfare expertise.
Here are a couple of other brief examples of warfare, in the Old Testament, that might be studied additional:
Genesis 32 - Jacob avoids war with his brother, Esau. He prepares for battle but orchestrates a peaceful resolution. Deuteronomy 20 - God goes with the warriors to fight against their enemies. II Samuel 23:8-39 - the Bible describes David and his mighty guys of battle. Nehemiah four - the builders of Jerusalem's city wall carry weapons to defend themselves throughout the rebuilding.
There are plenty of additional examples inside the Old Testament, using a wide variety of scenarios and numerous unique resolutions. The topic of warfare is very complex and every single situation needs to be viewed as very carefully. For that reason, when faced with adversity, wisdom must be applied.
An Eye For An Eye
Even using the Old Testament of your Bible displaying help for martial arts training, some may argue that the God of your Old Testament is distinctive than the God of your New Testament - that God's position on warfare changed when Jesus came on the scene. It may be said that the God with the Old Testament was about war and also the God with the New Testament is about peace.
The Bible, however, doesn't help this. James 1:17 says that God doesn't alter, and Hebrews 13:8 says that Jesus Christ [God] could be the same yesterday, right now and forever. Hence, the God of your Old Testament may be the similar God on the New Testament. As we continue to study this subject, we'll see that the New Testament also discusses self-defense and the idea of martial arts.
Matthew 5:38-42, in which Jesus talks about "an eye for an eye plus a tooth for a tooth", has been used to condemn martial arts. It reads, "You have heard that it was mentioned, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I let you know usually do not resist an evil individual. If an individual strikes you on the correct cheek, turn to him the other also. And if a person wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak also. If someone forces you to go 1 mile, go with him two miles. Give for the 1 who asks you, and don't turn away from the one particular who desires to borrow from you." At first glance this passage seems to be advocating a reversal of your Old Testament laws. I was swayed by this argument myself, and was torn in my own convictions for some time. But when I finally decided to dig deeper in to the Bible, I was amazed and encouraged to seek out some answers.
Lots of persons who choose to obey the Bible simply gloss more than this scripture, like I did, simply because they are torn involving what they assume the Bible says and their consciences telling them to prepare for warfare and to guard.
The truth is that Jesus by no means intended to abolish the Old Testament laws. He only intended to clarify them, to reinforce them, fulfill them, and reveal God's heart behind them. This is what Jesus says just moments earlier in Matthew five:17: "Do not consider that I've come to abolish the [Old Testament] Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." When Jesus speaks about "turning the other cheek", in Matthew five, he is referring for the Old Testament Mosaic laws located in Exodus 21, 22 and 23. These chapters in Exodus include the laws God gave to his individuals, which reinforce and additional detail the famous "ten commandments". Jesus is specifically referring to Exodus 21:22 exactly where God explains what punishment ought to be given if men are fighting and an innocent by-stander is harmed (in this instance, a pregnant woman). This isn't a scripture about self-defense but about restitution and punishment for a crime. Jesus referred to this scripture mainly because the folks, in religious self-righteousness, had been using this distinct scripture to justify retaliation and vengeance.
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