Martial Arts Philosophy Thru Biblical Principles

Originally written by Dr. Clement Riedner, Shiho Karano Publications
Submitted for this blog post by Kyoshi Frank DeAngelo
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This Bible training program utilizes the philosophy and principles of the Martial Arts as an illustration of basic Biblical principles of salvation and the Christian life. There is a direct relationship between the principles of physical and spiritual warfare. The student is required to learn the principles and related Bible verses for belt rank. This program may be applied to any Martial Arts style. (**indicates a Bible memory verse).

I. THE BEGINNER - LAYING A FOUNDATION.

The ‘Even Kill’ approach to physical and spiritual self-defense philosophy states simply that: “the best we can hope in a real life and death encounter is that we will kill our opponent and be killed in the process. While one might ask, “Why then study the Martial Arts”?

The Japanese Samurai warrior was prepared to die whenever he drew his sword for combat. Thus, being prepared and expecting to die, he can commit himself fully to the battle, having settled the question of death. If we enter into real physical combat prepared to die, then we have conquered the fear of death (man’s greatest problem). **Hebrews 2:15 “and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives”. This verse tells us that the fear of death is in fact, man’s greatest problem.

​"Although many have conquered the fear of death through training, discipline, and/or other belief structures, etc… They do not realize or they reject the truth of the existence of heaven and hell. And it is God Who decides who goes where based on the decision each person makes." - Black Swift

The Romans road (a series of verses in the book of Romans) tells us how to lay the foundation of faith in Jesus the Christ in our lives.

**Romans 3:23 – for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

**Romans 6:23 – for the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

**Romans 10:9 – That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.

The Assurance of the foundation: for the ‘even kill’ philosophy to be valid for the Christian Martial Arts student, he/she must first of all lay the foundation of Christ in their life. Have you ever laid the foundation of Jesus Christ in your life?  If so, when?

If not, why not at this moment ask Jesus Christ to come into your life to be your savior and be that foundation in your life? If you do not understand how, simply ask your instructor to explain this to you. The Christian can know that he/she has eternal life in heaven. This is not the case with Zen, Taoism, Shintoism, or any other religion for that matter. The following verses help make that assurance clear.

**John 6:37 – All that the Father gives me shall come to Me, and the One who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.

**1 John 5:13-These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life.

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​We wear the left flap of our uniform (Gi) over the right to signify life covering death. Even so the person who chooses to believe in what Christ did for us and forsaking their own path to follow the path of Jesus will spend eternity with Christ in heaven. Death is conquered. When the Christian dies in the physical, it is like going through a door way from one room to another. There is only one way to enter that room, ‘Heaven’. The doorway is Jesus. There is no other way. God sets the rules and it is His dwelling place. All are invited but few will except that invitation through Christ. Will you? The alternative is Hell.

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