We live in a world where utopianism, existentialism, and nihilism combine to form a breed of socialism that masks itself in a shroud called "world peace." In Britain they have banned essentially all guns. Now, they realize that this has only increased crime with other weapons, and so they have begun the process of banning all knives. This trend echoes around the "developed" parts of the world, and many of the undeveloped countries have existed under laws of the same type for decades. This process of disarming regular citizens was perhaps best embodied in Okinawa after the invasion of the Japanese.
The Japanese disarmed the Okinawans not only to foster a "peaceful existence," but also to keep the citizens in check. While the Okinawans endured Japanese rule, they found themselves troubled by everyday occurrences such as robbery, burglary, and assault. The Okinawans did as I suspect most persons in this situation would do. They created their own weapons out of everyday objects. Nunchaku were created from rice flails that were bound together with a chain or rope. The Bo Staff (our Jung bong) was not a new weapon but something that could be found in everyday tools. Many of our current martial arts weapons were created out of necessity by citizens of an oppressive government. They studied these weapon's abilities and became proficient at using them.
This practice of turning ordinary tools into weapons was nothing new. In 1 Samuel 13, we see that Israel has been captured by the Philistines and has no weapons. The Philistines even took away the blacksmiths of Israel so they couldn't make weapons! What did Israel do? They turned their field tools into weapons and went to battle. I'm sure by now you are asking yourself, "Why is Kent talking about weapons in history rather than biblical reasons for using such weapons?" I will finish my writing about weapons at the end of the topic, but all of this has a purpose...I assure you.
Many people think that God only understands pacifism and that as such we must strive to force a world full of sin to turn into a utopia. The truth is contrary to this. "If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed;" Exodus 22:2 (NIV). Our God understands that in a world full of sin, there are those who would harm us and who would take all that we have. God does not tell us to go hide in the closet until a thief leaves, or lie still as we are being raped! He proclaims anyone who kills someone else in defense of themselves, another, or even their property innocent.
Some ask, what about when we are doing the work of the Lord, can we then have a weapon or use force? We have seen many times missionaries killed as they work for the Lord, I suspect that sometimes this is because they have no weapon available to them and their protection is limited. What does the bible say about carrying a weapon or using force while working for the Lord? In Nehemiah (specifically chapter 4) the people are rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem in the name of the Lord. While doing this they are threatened, what do they do? "And each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me." Nehemiah 4:18 (NIV) Not only did they wear a sword, they kept one hand on it while the other hand did work! We are allowed to defend ourselves from those who mean us harm.
What about Jesus....did Jesus talk about self defense? While Jesus said "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." Matthew 5:38-39 (NIV) Obviously the man doing the striking is just trying to provoke the other person, no man trying to kill, or seriously injure someone strikes them in the cheek. So Jesus tells us not to fall into the trap of a provoker. Martial arts teaches us the same thing, we are to do everything in our power to avoid a fight, only using our physical skills as a last resort. As Jesus prepared to depart from the disciples he gave them this command, "He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one." Luke 22:36 (NIV). While the disciples were with Jesus no harm would come upon them from other men, but now that Jesus was leaving they would no longer be under the same type of protection. I believe that Jesus told them to be prepared to defend themselves as they would certainly be harassed by other men.
What about Love? Doesn't the Bible tell us to love our neighbor? It certainly does, but consider what Paul says as he gives instructs us about love, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV) I believe that most martial artists but especially Christian martial artists should embody this teaching. I would like you to focus on the portion about protecting. If you love someone you will protect them. I love my wife and would lay down my life gladly for her. I do not intend to "protect" her by hiding in the closet if someone breaks into the house; I intend to stand up and fight to get this person out of my house! Only then can I be assured my wife is safe. Being a husband is one thing...a Christian martial artist must take it to the next level. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 (NIV) I hope that as you grow in our art, that you grow in maturity with Christ, so that you will have the confidence to lay down your life for your friends if the time ever comes.
Lastly, I ask you to remember this verse as you train in our art: Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. Psalms 144:1 (NIV). I am proud to train in the martial arts knowing that ultimately God is the one who makes my hands able to strike, block, and move as they do. I am glad that I serve a god who understands that this world is full of evil, and that Love makes me want to protect my family with all necessary force. Our world and our country are slowly falling into the trap of socialism, soon we may lose our right to protect ourselves with conventional weapons (firearms and knives), but those who do evil will continue, and perhaps have those very weapons in their possession. You may find yourself at the hands of an attacker while you are at a great disadvantage, but if you study our art diligently, I know that you will have a fighting chance. Master Peto and I will prepare you for what we can, but our art has two parts, learning and practicing. Our faith has these same parts; we strive to meld our art and our faith into a usable system so that our lives may be righteous and biblical. This is our ultimate goal because we are called "sons and daughters of God!" |
