Christian Taekwondo:A Model for Discipleship
By Chuck
Cobb
December 03 --
Most all forms of martial arts have long
histories of eastern religious influence. Even though Taekwondo is
currently promoted as a sport, some modern Grand Masters still
contend that the tenants of Taekwondo lead to “enlightenment or some
sort of mystic consciousness or divine union” (Yong Chin Pak,
1996). These attributes make many Christians uncomfortable
and
often opposed to martial arts training. However, much of Taekwondo
is quite compatible with Christianity. For example, Taekwondo
philosophy includes “love and benevolence, magnanimity, sympathy and
character” (Pak, 1996), as well as the five tenets of Taekwondo:
courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable
spirit. In comparison, the “fruits” of the Christian spirit include
“love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
(Galatians 5:22-23 NIV). Because we have this specific assurance
from the Holy Bible, Christian Taekwondo is a suitable
and effective
venue to model discipleship and promote Christian philosophy.
The Apostle Paul said that physical training is
of some value, but spiritual training is of great value. (1 Timothy
4:8) The beginning student of Taekwondo quickly learns that one does
not begin with complete understanding. The white belt must be
trained in the art in order to advance through the ranks of the
colored belts. In Christian Taekwondo, this advancement should be
coupled with specific learning objectives to actively promote the
most important part of the student’s development, which is their
spiritual growth. For example, spiritual training can be
accomplished by requiring the student to memorize a specific
scripture associated with each belt in order to advance. At
Anchorage Baptist Temple Taekwondo, the white belt must memorize the
club motto: “I can
do all things through Christ which strengthened
me” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). To promote additional spiritual
training, scriptures about essential Christian doctrine or the Roman
Road could be used for yellow, orange, green and subsequent colors.
Along with regular devotionals, prayer and fellowship, the masters
of Christian Taekwondo can rest assured that God’s word will not
return empty (Isaiah 55:11).
As the student grows in learning both the
martial art of Taekwondo and Christian philosophy, improvement and
additional actions are expected. For example, a red belt is required
to lead testing and properly demonstrate specific techniques that
the testee must perform. In fact, upper ranked students are
expected not only to show significant improvement in Taekwondo
techniques, but also to set examples to the lower rank students at
every class and tournament. Although leadership and reaching out to
lower rank belts is taught to all belt levels, the red belts, junior
black belts, and First Dan black belts must show noticeable
improvements in this area. In Christian Taekwondo, these advanced
belts are expected to exemplify Christian qualities, and help the
lower ranked students with their spiritual growth as well. The will
to help other students improve in both their physical and spiritual
training is an expression of love. As we learn to love one another
by helping one another, then we know that we are becoming Disciples
of Christ. Jesus said “By this all men will know that you are my
disciples, if you love one another (John 13:35 NIV).
Sooner or later in any martial art, the student
will be faced with the
religious aspects of the particular discipline, whether it is
Taekwondo, Karate, or Kung Fu, among many others. In Christian
Taekwondo, spiritual exposure is elementary, in accordance with the
words of Jesus Christ, who said, “Let the little children come to me
and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as
these”(Matthew 19:14 NIV). In other words, the white belts are
introduced to Christian teaching from the beginning, and Christian
principles are taught to all belts in every class. At the Second
Dan, the Taekwondo student is fully qualified to be the teacher and
open a dojang as the sole instructor. Therefore, the Second Dan
black belt must realize and accept this additional responsibility,
because as the Apostle James said, “…you know that we who teach will
be judged more strictly” (James 3:1 NIV). In Christian Taekwondo,
the Second Dan must embrace the words of Jesus Christ to the
spiritually mature, “…go and make disciples of all nations…teaching
them to obey everything I have
commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV). This requires a commitment
to discipleship, which is indeed
the calling of every Christian.
Simply because the Second Dan is expected to
become a teacher does not mean that he or she is no longer a
student. Even the Grand Masters must continue to learn, or fail to
understand the nature and limits of their own existence. As a tree
matures, it continues to need a source of water and nourishment if
it is to bear fruit season after season. The Master of Christian
Taekwondo realizes that this nourishment must come from “the river
of the water of life…flowing from the throne of God...” (Revelation
22:1 NIV). The revelation of Jesus Christ, who is the source of
that river, is the true enlightenment that will be found by those
who seek the truth in their spiritual development. The beauty and
paradox of Christianity is that the divine union, which results in
the mystic consciousness known as the “joy
of salvation”, is not
reserved for the esoteric, but is found as a white belt
in one’s
spiritual development.
Christian Taekwondo provides a setting to promote the wholesome
values
of Christianity while teaching the practical and physical
benefits of the martial arts. Children learn respect and
discipline, awkward teenagers learn balance and dexterity, and timid
adults gain fitness and self-confidence. These are just a few of
the physical benefits of Taekwondo. As the
student of Christian Taekwondo progresses through the belts, the significance of being a
Disciple of Jesus Christ is realized. The spiritual benefits from
becoming a Master Disciple through spiritual growth are
immeasurable. This transformation will bring rewards both in this
life and in the eternal life to come. |
