One issue of controversy for christians in martial arts specifically eastern martials arts is the concept of chi or ki. These martial arts based in zen Buddhist philosophy do not limited their art ot the physical realm but also include mystical or esoteric concepts.
So what is chi?(qui,ki)
"In traditional Chinese culture, qì (also chi or ch'i) is an active principle forming part of any living thing.[1][2][3] Qi is frequently translated as life energy, lifeforce, or energy flow. Qi is the central underlying principle in traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts. The literal translation of "qi" is breath, air, or gas." wikipedia "Qui"
After first researching this concept, a lightbulb went off in my head.
"Pneuma (πνεύμα) is an ancient Greek word for "breath," and in a religious context for "spirit" or "soul." It has various technical meanings for medical writers and philosophers of classical antiquity, particularly in regard to physiology, and is also used in Greek translations of the Hebrew Bible and in the Greek New Testament. In classical philosophy, it is distinguishable from psyche (ψυχή), which originally meant "breath of life", but is regularly translated as "spirit" or most often "soul".[1] wikipedia "pneuma"
spirt, energy, breath. These concepts are basically the same!
So can the Bible use the word spirit in terms of energy?
Joshua 5:1And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.
Here we spirit being used in the sense a depression or lack of energy.
Judges 15:19But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name thereof Enhakkore, which is in Lehi unto this day.
What is interesting about this verse is that Samsons life force/spirit is being renewed after a battle where the Holy Spirit empowered him to Kill
a thousand men with the jawbone of a mule.
2 Kings 2:9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
This a rather bizarre section. Because Elisha is asking for a double portion of Elijah's spirit. This sounds pantheistic. However the context shows the he is talking about inheritance. He gave up his inheritance in order to inherit Elijah's announcing. But basically Elisha ia asking for a double portion of his anointing. Elijah had a powerful quality to his spirit that Elisha stood to obtain.
Now this topic can split off into two other future topics. So I won't cover these points exhaustively.
First, is the fact that eastern philosophy(pantheism) is not incorrect as to the existence of chi, the Problem is that the east fails to understand God.
The confusion of God and nature is the source of pagan idolotry. The true God of the Bible is Holy, which means set apart. He transcends the universe.
But eastern mystics assume that the universe is god. God is worthy of glory honor worship and praise. It if it is not going to him as a person, then where is it going?
I have notticed some yoga instructors talk about taking in god as they breath. So idolatry is being conducted as they are building up their chi!
This is spiritually hazardous because idolatry can lead to the demonic.
Deuteronomy 32:17
17They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not
So this is indeed spiritually dangerous. But I find a situation very similar to Paul in His meat sacrificed before idols discourse.
1 corinthians 8:1Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
2And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
3But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
4As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
5For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
6But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
So I don't have to resort to the errors of pantheism in order to take advantage of the truths regarding KI/chi
Now later in the passage Paul does warn about causing others to stumble with our knowledge. Should you as an instructer encourage non-christians to meditate in a zen buddhist fashion, just because you will not be commiting idolatry personally? That would not be wise. But if you know that the group you are in is christian and understands what you are doing, or you are alone there is no harm in it.
One apologist put it best,"It's not like they invented breathing!"
The second point is that the Bible tells us more about the human spirit. The human spirit is described more in terms of psychology and morality. When we build up our spirits we may want to put more emphases as martial artist upon our moral states as well. it is also good to meditate upon the gospels so that by finding the peace which passes all understanding we will be prepared for anything.
In Christ,
Matt
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