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 Tae-Kwon-Do is currently promoted as a sport, some modern Grand Masters still contend that the tenants of Tae-Kwon-Do 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 Tae-Kwon-Do is quite compatible with Christianity. For example, Tae-Kwon-Do philosophy includes “love and benevolence, magnanimity, sympathy and character” (Pak, 1996), as well as the five tenets of Tae-Kwon-Do: 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 Tae-Kwon-Do 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 Tae-Kwon-Do 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 Tae-Kwon-Do, 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 XYZ Baptist Tae-Kwon-Do, the white belt must memorize the club motto: “I can do all things through Christ which strengthen 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 Tae-Kwon-Do 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 Tae-Kwon-Do 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 Tae-Kwon-Do 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 Tae-Kwon-Do, these advanced belts are expected to exemplify Christian qualities, and help the lower ranked students with their spiritual growth as well. They 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 Tae-Kwon-Do, Karate, or Kung Fu, among many others. In Christian Tae-Kwon-Do, 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 Tae-Kwon-Do 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 Tae-Kwon-Do, 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 Tae-Kwon-Do 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 Tae-Kwon-Do 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 Tae-Kwon-Do.  As the student of Christian Tae-Kwon-Do 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.

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