Minneapolis, MN -
Solid Impact Karate will be hosting their Second Annual Clinic this year on August 4th and 5th. The clinic will be held in the ballrooms of the Park Inn International Hotel on Nicollet Mall, in downtown Minneapolis, MN. Last year's clinic was a big success, with not only top notch martial arts instruction, but over 20salvation decisions at the closing awards banquet, where Solid Impacts dynamic breaking team gave a demonstration.
Don't get left out this year, our special guest instructor will be Mr. Keith Yates, 8th dan, President of the Southwest Tae Kwon Do Association, and author of many martial arts books. In addition, black belt instructors from a number of different states will be teaching a variety of topics in a number of different styles. For more information, call (612) 636-2864 or (612) 224-6994 for more information (please feel free to leave a message if no one answers, we will call back) The pre-registered cost is just $35per person, which includes the cost of the banquet (registration at the clinic will be $40). Additional banquet plates can be purchased for $10. Pre-registrations can be sent to:
Solid Impact Karate Clinic
512 Laurel Ave. Suite 6
St. Paul, MN 55102-2020
Don't delay, we'd love to host you in Minneapolis this summer!
West Palm Beach, FL -
For those looking to share in the experience of a Gospel Martial Arts Union clinic, mark your calendar for March 1 & 2, 1996when West Palm Beach will host their 9th Annual clinic.
Not only is Florida a warm and sunny place to spend the early part of March, but the GMAU Spring clinic has increasingly become an opportunity for Christian martial artists of all disciplines and backgrounds to meet, exchange ideas with, and train together with a spirit of friendship and Christian fellowship. Join us!
The GMAU Journal Staff would like to congratulate the GMAU chairman, Dr. Kent Haralson. Dr. Haralson was recently inducted into the World Head of Family Sokeship Council Hall of Fame. The WHFSC is the world's largest council of sanctioned heads of martial arts systems.
Dr. Haralson is the head founder of Seigi Bushido Ryu, a comprehensive eclectic hard style art with roots in Tae Kwon Do, Gichin Funakoshi's Karate-Do, and a variety of pressure-point, nerve-center, release, and restraint techniques. The Gospel Karate Teams of West Palm Beach Florida and Waldoboro Maine both currently practice Seigi Bushido Ryu.
Most Americans who have studied the Oriental martial arts to any appreciable degree are familiar with the symbol that is called Yin and Yang. This symbol is a circle with two fish-like shapes within the circle and two dots that could appear to be the eyes of the fish. It has various connotations for various people. In denotation, it is the symbol of the Tao, the Chinese religious philosophy that dominated old China prior to the Communist revolution under Mao Tse Tung. The Tao did not cease to exist with the Mao takeover, but it was suppressed and supplanted by the Philosophy of Marx. The Tao is very much alive in China today and in much of the rest of the world, including, of course, the United States. The word Tao (pronounced "dow") literally translates "way." So then, to the Chinese, the Tao is the way. That term provokes an interesting thought in relation to the Lord Jesus Christ. In John 14:6, He says, "...I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me."Jesus is indeed the Way. It is the same terminology as the Tao, but it is not the same way. Jesus is the only Way Who is, at the same time, the Truth and the Life. The Tao is a way, but it is the wrong way. "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Prov. 16:25)
In view of the above, I am not advocating that we who are called by the name of Christ study the Tao; nor am I saying that we should adapt the yin/yang symbol for our usage. In and of itself, they in/yang symbol is not evil, but to some it has evil connotations. Some see it as a symbol for the martial arts, some see it as a symbol for the occult, some actually see it as a symbol for sex, and for reasons I am not aware of, it is often used as a symbol by surfers. Therefore, in order to "abstain from all appearance of evil" (I Thess. 5:22) and to "...take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak" (I Cor. 8:9), I do not advocate that we look to the Tao for truth or to the yin/yang for our symbolism.
However, the yin/yang is more than a symbol, it represents a principle. That principle is one that is found throughout the Holy Scriptures. Now I want to make clear the fact that the Bible did not take this principle from the Tao. Neither is it likely that the Taoists gleaned this principle directly from the Bible. How, then, did a Biblical truth get into the Tao? I suggest two ways:
1. Both Biblical and secular historians agree that civilization began in what we call the Middle East and spread from there to the rest of the world.
2. Certain truths are universally held because they are demonstrable in all civilizations. Again, by way of example, the Biblical principle of sowing and reaping is universally accepted by reasonable, thinking people, although it is not always acknowledged as a Biblical principle. The colloquial adage, "What goes around comes around "expresses the same principle as "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
Therefore, the principle of Yin and Yang is a Biblical one even though the symbol itself may have no Biblical basis. Let me explain that principle: Sibok Lonnie Sutherland was my teacher in the arts for seven years. The last time we spoke, he still considered me as one of his students, although I have not trained under him for several years. He explained the yin/yang to us in this fashion: the yin represents the soft, while the yang represents the hard. In the yin/yang symbol, the yin flows over into the yang, and the yang flows over into the yin. The two dots teach us that not only is the line of separation between the hard and the soft curved, there is actually an element of yin inside the yang and an element of the yang inside the yin. Therefore, "nothing is entirely hard, and nothing is entirely soft." The idea, in a word, is balance. When we come to our martial arts, we need to remember this balance. That is the principle that is found in the Bible.
The Lord Jesus put it this way: "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." (Matt. 10:16) In this case, the serpent would be represented by the yang and the dove by the yin. The Lord is teaching us that, in His service, we need the wisdom of a serpent who is cunning and even feared in combat, but we also need the harmlessness of the dove who is respected for her gentleness and feared by no one. As Paul states in Romans 12:18, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."
The true martial artist, then, must demonstrate in his life the principle represented by the yin and yang. He must be both hard and soft. He must find within himself the hardness of a warrior and the gentleness of an ambassador. Aubrey P. Andelin, in his classic book Man of Steel and Velvet, expounds upon this principle. I recommend the book to every Christian martial artist. In the first chapter entitled "The Ideal Man," he says:"The ideal man as I see him, is a man of 'Steel and velvet.'This term I have borrowed from Carl Sandberg who used it to describe Abraham Lincoln. I know of no other expression which so adequately portrays the perfection of manhood." Andelin goes on to say:"The ideal man has the strength, endurance, and temperance of fine steel. He is a composite of many sterling qualities. The velvet qualities include a man's gentleness, his tenderness, kindness, generosity, and patience. He is devoted to the care and protection of women and children. He understands and respects their gentle nature and recognizes it as a complement to his masculinity. He is chivalrous, attentive, and respectful to the gentler sex and has an ability to love with tenderness." Joshua, one of the greatest warriors of all time, said, "Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valour, and help them." (Joshua1:14) This is the yin/yang principle.
I. We find this balance is a part of the character and nature of our God.
A. Psalm 96:6 "Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary."
B. Psalm 21:5 "His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty has thou laid upon him."
C. Psalm 104:1 "Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty."
D. Honour is the yin, majesty is the yang. Strength is the yang, beauty is the yin. Such is the balance of the character and nature of the God of the Bible.
II. In the New Testament, Paul shows us the yang of zeal and they in of knowledge. He describes himself as having the yang of zeal out of balance with the yin of knowledge before he came to know Christ. In Phil. 3:6 he states, "Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless."Earlier, in Romans 10:2 he speaks of his brother Israelites as being in the same condition: "For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge."Dr. Jack Hyles, in the title chapter of his book Strength and Beauty, says, "How rare it is to find in the same package both zeal and knowledge! Somebody has said, 'Scholarship and fire seldom walk together.' How wonderful it is to find some scholar who has the fire of God in his soul. As he secures his education and training and gains his scholarship, he keeps the same zeal and fire of his youth."
III. Paul further tells us that we need yang-like strength to stand against evil and the Evil One, and to stand for the truth:
A. Eph. 6:10-14 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness."
B. Phil. 1:27 "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel."
C. I Cor. 16:13 "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith ,quit you like men, be strong."
D. II Cor. 10:4 "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds..."
E. II Tim. 2:1 "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."
IV. Having said all of this, Paul comes back and reminds us to balance our yang-like strength with yin-like beauty:
A. Romans 15:1 "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves."
B. II Cor. 12:10 "Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
C. Romans 14:19 "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another."
D. Gal. 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith..."
E. Eph. 6:15 "And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace..." (Compare with Eph. 6:10-14 above)
F. Heb. 12:14 "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord..."
G. "Ah," someone says, "We have a contradiction in the scriptures here!" No, my friend, we have balance.
H. Paul's entire life's purpose was to live for Jesus Christ, to better know Jesus Christ, to be like Jesus Christ and to bring others to know Him and be like Him.
V. Jesus is the greatest example of manhood that can be found. He is the greatest example of balance that can be found. He is the greatest example of hardness and softness, strength and beauty, zeal and knowledge, love and firmness, grace and truth that has ever been or will ever be known. John 1:14: "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
A. We see in the words and actions of Jesus the supreme example of strength and truth:
1. John 2:14-17 "And [He] found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: and when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; and said unto them that sold doves, take these things hence; make not my Father's house a house of merchandise. And his disciples remembered that it was written, the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up."
2. Matt. 10:34-39 "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."
3. Matt. 23:33 "Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?"
B. We see in the words and actions of Jesus the supreme example of grace and beauty. Contradiction? No, balance.
1. He taught grace and peace to His followers:
a. Mark 9:50 "Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltiness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace on with another."
b. Luke 1:79 He came "...to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."
c. Luke 10:5 "And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, peace be to this house."
d. John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
e. John 16:33 "These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
2. He is the embodiment of compassion:
a. Matt. 9:36 "But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them..."
b. Matt. 14:14 "And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick."
c. Matt. 15:32 "Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude..."
d. Matt. 20:34 "So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him."
e. Mark 1:41 "And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean."
f. Mark 6:34 "And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things."
g. Luke 7:13 "And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, weep not."
3. He offers forgiveness to sinners such as you and I:
a. Mark 2:5 "When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee."
b. John 8:11 "...And Jesus said unto her, neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."
c. Luke 23:34 "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do..."
d. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
4. If you have not received His forgiveness, would you not do so now? John 1:12 "...as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."
Every Christian martial artist must strive for balance. We must exhibit strength and beauty, grace and truth, zeal and knowledge. We must, without appealing to the Tao, be like the Way.
About the Author: Michael L. McClure has been the Pastor of the West Park Baptist Church of Delray Beach, FL for ten and one-half years. He has studied the martial arts for over 21 years. He received a Graduate of Theology (Th.G.) degree from Pensacola Christian College in 1981 and 2 degrees, Bachelor of Divinity and Master of Religious Education, from Great Plains Baptist Divinity School in 1993. He has also attended Tennessee Temple University. Mr. McClure currently holds five "black belt" certificates of ranking, two of which have been cross-ranked by the GMAU (a first degree in Pai Lum Kung-Fu and a second degree in Chaun ChenKung-fu). The other three are a second, third, and fourth degree respectively in Sheng Ling Chuan Pai and Shang Ti Kempo.
Mail from GMAU schools and evangelists.
Pompton Lakes, N.J. Mighty Warriors Evangelistic Ministries is an outreach ministry of Calvary Church, under the direction of John Porta. conducted a demonstration for over 200 children at "Kids Ark" Children's School. The demonstration included various aspects of martial arts training with a clear presentation of the Gospel. Mighty Warriors busy karate ministry with home schools continues to grow. Stay tuned to October's issue of the Journal for an article outlining the inception and implementation of this viable and effective ministry.
Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN. Solid Impact Ministries is an outreach & discipleship ministry of Grace Community Church. Solid Impact is currently maintaining an enrollment of approximately 120 students in four classes. Solid Impact is busily preparing for their Second Annual Solid Impact Martial Arts Clinic. The clinic will be during the first weekend in August in downtown Minneapolis, MN. See the front page of this newsletter for more information. Solid Impact will be conducting a number of demonstrations this summer, beginning with a father & son banquet on father's day. Please pray that Solid Impact's leadership will have discernment and be open to the Lord's leading as we consider a 5th class location in the near future.
Sioux Falls, SD. EBT Karate Team is a ministry of Empire Baptist Temple. 4th dan instructor Frank Tottingham has recently relocated to Australia as a full time missionary. Frank will be starting a karate ministry in Australia, and had three students pre-registered before he even arrived! At their June 3rd testing session, John Bennett and Travis Sathre were promoted to blue belt and provisional black belt respectively. The club began the summer with a good group of students in spite of busy summer schedules.
Waldoboro, ME. The newly formed Gospel Karate Team of Waldoboro Maine, and offshoot of the Gospel Karate Team of West Palm Beach Florida, is now in full swing as a ministry of the First Baptist Church of Waldoboro. Led by Dojo Sensei Sheryl Olson, class enrollment is continually increasing, with the junior class currently at 21, and the adult class with 8. The area used for workouts is already maxed out, and the class is looking for a larger space. In addition to the blessing of growth, one of the new students recently accepted Christ as savior. Please pray for this new ministry, that God will be glorified and that others will be led to Christ. Special thanks goes to Dr. Haralson of the GMAU for his continued encouragement , First Baptist Church of Waldoboro for their support of the ministry, Shanna and Butch Olson for their direct assistance in running the classes, and everyone who has been keeping us in your prayers.
West Palm Beach, FL. West Palm Beach, FL. The Gospel Karate Team reports 84 active members in its two classes. Considerable effort has gone into the building of their Demonstration Team. Students are required to hold at least the Purple Belt rank to qualify for the team, which currently has nine members. In the past month, the team has put on three shows to a combined audience in excess of seven- hundred people. Two of them were to public schools enabling them to make a positive Christian testimony. In the weekly devotional period, the students are learning the twenty-seven character qualities that should be evident in the life of a mature Christian martial artist. This team is under the direction of Dr. Kent Haralson and is a ministry of Berean Baptist Church.
Woodland, ME. The Freedom Fighters - Youth Knights Ministry classes at Woodland Baptist church continue to grow in maturity and quantity. Several senior belts are performing ministry skits in neighboring churches for youth groups in the Maine area. This ministry is under the direction of Sensei Larry Newman, M.D.
Rank Awards:
Bob Finnie - West Palm Beach, Fl - 4th Kyu - Purple Belt- Seigi Bushido Ryu
Orville Osbourne - West Palm Beach, Fl - 4th Kyu - Purple Belt - Seigi Bushido Ryu
Gary Brown - West Palm Beach, Fl - 4th Kyu - Purple Belt- Seigi Bushido Ryu
Jim Sturgis - West Palm Beach, Fl - 4th Kyu - Purple Belt- Seigi Bushido Ryu
Jake Johnson - Minneapolis, MN - 1st Degree Black Belt- Tae Kwon Do
Larry Newman - Woodland, ME - 2nd Degree Black Belt - TaeKwon Do
We are always interested in what you think. Did an article strike a cord with you? Drop us a line and let us know. Do you disagree with a position we have taken. Let us know that also. Are there special articles or questions you would to see addressed in the Journal. Sent us an E-Mail request or drop it in the mail this week.
The GMAU has just published a two new booklets dealing with the martial arts from a Christian perspective.
Check the back panel of this issue of the Journal for information on ordering these additions to your library.
- - Kent Haralson, Ph.D, D.Min
The warrior trains daily. Physical conditioning, technical proficiency, tactical fluency, spiritual strength, emotional control --- these are the substance of his goals and the weapons of his arsenal. Every day he devotes some amount of time to honing and polishing at least one of them. Some days he pushes himself to the limits of his capability in one or more to test his progress. A Christian warrior is no different. The best warrior is a person who has never fought in a physical battle. How does one arrive at this point? Friends, acquaintances, even family often think of the warrior as obsessed or compulsive, but isn't true. Those are traits of people who are unable to control themselves. The warrior doesn't seek pain, fear, fatigue, and the other unpleasant byproducts of constant training because he likes them. But he knows they are obstacles between him and his objectives. His goal is to overcome them. It isn't that the warrior is driven. He is the driver.
Do you train daily, or does your training consist of going to class once a week? You say that's the only time your class meets? Well, who says you have to be in class to train? Warriors hone their skills constantly, and if you've achieved the warrior mind-set, you're looking for ways to fit some sort of training into every day. That doesn't mean you have to suffer through a gut-wrenching workout each day. Proper martial arts training isn't brutal or relentless with only weaklings stopping to rest and heal. If fact, the warrior way of life isn't completely physical; a significant portion involves academic study and spiritual development. Bushido demands a never ending balance. Exertion is followed by rest. Physical development is tempered by intellectual growth. Spiritual study is balanced by active ministry in your local church. Even work and discipline must be balanced by play and release.
As the non-warrior rests and plays, the warrior does as well. You'll often see them together. but the difference between them lies in discipline. The non-warrior rests and plays out of habit; it's what he does to fill his spare time. Warriors, on the other hand, have very little spare time. They lead goal-oriented lives, and their goals demand dedication. But warriors also know they must balance work and training with rest and play. They do so by choice, as a part of their training. Warriors are always under control.
I have been teaching the martial arts for over two decades now and I can usually spot those beginners who won't last two months. They don't realize that martial arts training involves hard work, or they go overboard with their training. Since over- training is as counterproductive as under-training is unproductive, both those kind of beginners tend to leave within two months.
Less than 50% of those who start classes last until they receive their white belt. As a warrior, one of the first things you decide is that you're here for the long haul. The rigors of training and discipline will hone in you the skills you need to face life victorious as a Christian, enabling you to be the "overcomer "of Revelation chapters two and three.
This requires shugyo in your training. But, that is a meal for your mind for another time...?
Gospel Karate Team - Waldoboro, Maine - Sensei Sheryl Olson
Christian Karate Plus - St. Johnsbury, Vermont - Sensei Stephen Jones
Mr. Michael Ducett - Marion, Iowa - 1st Degree Black Belt- Tae Kwon Do
Pastor Jeff Payne - Springdale, Arkansas - 4th Degree Black Belt -Tae Kwon Do
Have your read The Art of War1, by Sun Tzu and translated by Samuel Griffith? The word classic has come to be used rather indiscriminately. To be a real classic, there are a number of criteria that must be met. The Art of War is, indeed, in my opinion, a classic. What is written in the book transcends cultural and historical boundaries. This book, written over two millennium ago is stilled used today by military strategist. It is not so much a tactical book, as it is an observation of the nature of humanity, albeit within the context of confrontation and war, and this is what keeps the book relevant. Griffith's introduction is rather length (62 pages), and very erudite. The introduction does allow a novice to read the thirteen chapters of the book and still grow in their understanding of dealing with conflicts. As with any secular book, there will be areas that do not mix well with a Biblical world view. This book is meant for a mature reader, but I would highly recommend it in your martial arts library.
1 Oxford University Press Reviewed by Raymond Askew - Brown Belt, West Palm Beach, FL
All material published in the GMAU Journal is Copyrighted 1996 by the GMAU. Permission to use material found in this GMAU Journal for non-profit purposes is granted as long as credit is given to the author and issue in which it appeared.
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Copyright 1996 by the Gospel Martial Arts Union
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