We believe that Christians can study the martial arts and do so in holiness as unto the Lord. We do, however, recognize the strong occult powers entrenched in Asian practice and academics. We also understand that the martial arts predate the oriental martial arts and our goal is to reclaim the martial arts for Christ.

 

It is commonly held by scholars of the martial arts that these arts were likely formalized as early as the Chou Dynasty in China (1122- 205 BC.). However, the Christian Karate Association takes the position that “martial” practices existed long before this period. In brief, it is recorded in the paintings and inscriptions of Egyptian tombs that fighting arts were being practiced in Egypt as early as 3000 BC. Likewise, the Old Testament and other documents of that time indicate that there were also fighting arts practiced in Mesopotamia and the surrounding areas (3000 BC to 2000 BC.). India and Pakistan also have an ancient history of martial arts such as yuddha, niyuddah, and marma-adi. In fact, it is virtually impossible to trace the history of martial arts back to a single origin. Yet, based on a Christian word view of Earth’s history (creationism) it is possible to theorize a likely development.

 

The Christian world view of self-defense is based on the fact that when humankind (Adam & Eve) sinned, the whole of God’s creation was perverted, becoming evil at the heart of it’s nature. The peace within God’s creation began to decay - animals began preying upon each other, thorns and thistles became part of the flora and the Earth became a dangerous place. As the human race began to reproduce, differences of opinion, greed and anger arose and led to fighting and eventually to warfare. Unlike the flora, the fauna and the animals, humans have virtually no natural protection from the dangers of an evil world. People, therefore, used their intellect, which God had given to them and began to develop means of self- protection.

 

On the most basic level, people likely protected themselves by merely swinging a stick at a danger. However, it is fair to assume that through trial and error people quickly learned what worked best and what did not.

 

It is also fair to assume that some individuals were better at self-preservation than others, and that these individuals likely began to teach their families, friends and community. It is upon this basis that the Christian martial artist believes that martial arts (organized system of self-defense) were first brought into being.

 

The Christian Karate Association believes that self-defense is something that God necessarily allowed in His Creation because of sin. The God who put the quills in the porcupine, scent in the skunk, and venom in the viper, caused King David to say in Psalms 144:1 “Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.” The Christian martial arts are not just about physical self-defense, but about spiritual graces and character such as, “A wise man is mightier than a strong man. Wisdom is mightier than strength.” (Proverbs 24:5), and “A soft tongue can break hard bones.” (Proverbs 25:15).