Excellence in Martial Arts

Christianity and the Martial Arts

Some people may look at Marshalltown’s Christian ATA and think "Now why Christian?" Many people ask about that word in our name. I want to take the time to let you know why it’s there and my opinions on why it should be there.

When Pam and I began this club, we wanted to keep God central. We wanted to be a witness for Christ, not just another Taekwondo club. Thus, before we opened we developed the following mission statement:

‘The word Christian in our name reflects the fact that we as the owners of this organization are committed to more than just Taekwondo, we are committed to Christ our Lord and Savior. Let us not forget 1 Corinthians 9:24-27:

"24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but {only} one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then {do it} to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified."

We (Pam and Tim Miltenberger) acknowledge that our objective with this club is to be an outreach for Christ in Marshalltown through our talents with children and adults, and the Martial Arts.

Further, we will offer a family oriented atmosphere and top of the line martial arts training to benefit the Marshalltown community.’

This mission statement forms our basic operating philosophies for our club.

Life skills are taught to all students in the ATA. They exist in our oath that we say before and after class, and we teach additional life skills throughout instruction.

The oath we say before class goes like this:

"Sir

I shall practice in the spirit of Taekwondo

with courtesy for fellow students,

loyalty for my instructor,

and respect for my juniors and seniors,

Sir"

This emphasizes the attitudes that students should display during the class to follow.

The second half, said at the end of class, says:

"Sir

I shall live with perseverance in the spirit of Taekwondo

Having Honor with others,

integrity within myself,

and self control in my actions

Sir"

This emphasizes the attitudes and characteristics that should be displayed outside of class.

Many of the concepts taught in life skills or our oaths are also taught in Christianity. Courtesy, respect, honor, integrity, and self control can all be taught directly from a Christian standpoint.

Christianity is by far the predominant religion here in the United States, it should not be too surprising that schools of the martial arts are choosing to use Christian doctrine to form a basis for the teaching of these life skills in Taekwondo. Even if the school doesn’t teach life skills, using Christian doctrine to provide a framework for the use of Martial arts can also be done.

Thus, an instructor is left with a choice of teaching life skills with no religious conviction backing these ideas, or teaching the same life skills in line with his/her convictions. The second is by far the most impacting as what is taught is also believed by the instructor.

These oaths are unique to the ATA, but the attitudes are not unique in the martial arts. In fact these were born from the concepts of the five tenants of Taekwondo which were passed from the ancient Hwrang sect in Korea.

Other martial arts also had their own code of ethics, which were passed down. The reason that a code of ethics was required for many martial arts was because of the very nature of the destructive physical techniques they taught. A person experienced in the application of these techniques was (and is) given not only special knowledge, but the responsibility to wield it well within the guidelines of society. Many of these different codes were set down to be in line with the different religious and/or political beliefs of the period and region.

Buddhism influenced the development of many Chinese arts especially since they were taught within the confines of the Buddhist temples. Taoist philosophy also had a great influence on the development of such arts as Tai Chi, and Bagua also from China. These philosophies and religious influences no doubt also played a role in the development of Subak and Taekyon within Korea.

Historically then, martial arts have taken on the values and beliefs of their instructors or the region they were developed. We do nothing different by including our faith today in practice than has been done for centuries, except that in this case the beliefs are Christian.

In conclusion, all Christian martial artists should stand up for their faith through their instruction. We should, as Christians, do all things to the glory of God (1Cor. 10:31, Col 3:17, 1Pe 4:11). In no way does keeping Christ in our teaching take away from our Martial Art, in fact it makes our teaching more powerful and applicable.