Micah 5:1 Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek. 2 But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, [though] thou be little among the thousands of Judah, [yet] out of thee shall he come forth unto me [that is] to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth [have been] from of old, from everlasting. 3 Therefore will he give them up, until the time [that] she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.
We live in a big world, with many people and a long history. We have big governments and great corporations that influence most of what we see going on around us. Sometimes, when we see the cheer immensity of the world and society we are tempted to think that one person cannot really make a difference. Surely, one choice cannot really change the outcome of the cosmic course of events.
There were people and things in the Bible that people were too small to make a difference. Certainly, Bethlehem is a perfect example. This little, insignificant town in Judean obscurity could not affect the course of world events. It did not even have its own name. It had to share the name with another town in Israel. That is why the Bible says “Bethlehem of Judah.” There was more than one.
Yet, few towns are more famous today. Everyone wants to go to Bethlehem. It was the birthplace of our Savior. It is still a little place, and yet it has a great significance for all of man.
There was another person that came from Bethlehem that people thought was insignificant and too small. That was David the last born son of Jesse.
I. Too Small a Teen I Samuel 17:33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou [art but] a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. 34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: 35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered [it] out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught [him] by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. 36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
Our sinful society wants to minimize our youth. They tell our youth, “This is your time to be young, live it up. Sow your wild oats.” They make our teens think it is the time to be as crazy as they want to be. Now yes, youth is a wonderful time. But we minimize our youth. We make them think there there is nothing that they can do that is going to make a difference. They might as well live however they want.
On the contrary, youth is an important time to lay the foundation for the great things ahead. David, in his youth, (I Samuel 17) did the one single thing that he is most famous for. Of course, there are many other great things that he did for the rest of his life, but this one spiritual event colored the rest of it all.
This is true for our teens today as well. We can minimize our teens’ time and tell them that it does not matter what they do until they are out of college, or married, or when they have kids. The problem is that by that time they have already destroyed much of their potential by wasted time, wounded spirits, wanton sin.
David was minimized by his brother, his king, and by his enemy. Yet because he was using his youth to develop character, he was ready to do something that no one else in Israel was either willing or able to do. How was that possible? One important thing was that he was under authority.
A. He Was Under his Father’s Authority
Our society encourages and even praises teens that resist their parental authority. If you take our society’s word for it, every father is overbearing, outdated, uncaring, or just an oaf. David did not believe this. He was doing his duty. He put in the long boring hours in the field taking care of the sheep. It was the lowest job in the home. While his brothers got to go out and fight with the King, David was faithful with the sheep. In spite of what his older brother accused him of, David did not leave his responsibility until his father directed him to.
Because, David was doing the boring job of watching the sheep, he was prepared to be the greatest warrior Israel has ever known. He used the time to meditate on God’s word and to worship. Chances are that many of the Psalms were written out there in the field with the stinking, stupid sheep. But he also used the time to become a deadly expert with the sling. Without those seemingly “wasted” ours in the field, David could not have taken down the Giant. Also, his first kills were in the field. God showed David that if he would take care of his job (at the time, those sheep) that God would give David the victory of enemies (lion and bear). This lesson prepared him to be the shepherd of all of Israel.
No, the teen David was not too small, because he allowed his earthly father and heavenly Father to direct him.
B. He Was Under his King’s Authority
David was also under King Saul’s authority. Our society teaches our kids to mock and resist our police and government. And if that was David’s heart, there was plenty to mock in Saul. Saul was a coward. He should have been the one to face the giant as the king and as the tallest man in Israel. Plus, Saul minimized David.
David, however, was respectful of King Saul. David could have run out on the field to fight Goliath without getting permission from anyone. But thousands of lives were at stake. If David had lost, the entire war would have been forfeit to the Philistines. David did not jump the gun. He went to the King and asked to do the job. And King Saul, amazingly, gave permission. When David went out to battle, he had the blessing of the king. David had the king’s authority behind him.
We need to teach our teens that if they are going to be successful, they need to respect the civil authorities that God has put over us, even when they are foolish. They are still God appointed.
C. He Was Under his God’s Authority
Finally, David could have gone out to Goliath and lifted himself up. That was not what David did. Instead, he lifted God up. He told Goliath that God was going to defeat the giant. This is not the prideful and blustering attitude that our society encourages in youth. We tell them to be “self” confident. “Stand up for yourself.” But that is actually minimizing our youth. The greatest that our teens can be is not when they are self confident. The greatest they can be is when they are confident in God like David was. They should not be standing up for themselves, but should be standing up for what is right!
To teach our teens to do anything less is to minimize them. In God’s power and with His leading, our teens will never be “too small” for anything that God wants them to do.
II. Too Small a Tithe Mark 12:41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And he called [unto him] his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44 For all [they] did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, [even] all her living.
We tend to look at giving to God, our tithes and offerings, as not that important. “After all, my tithe is not going to make any difference.” But this is another lie of Satan. If he can give us an excuse to not give what belongs to God, Satan wins on two fronts. Not only does he diminish what should go to the support of the house of God. But Satan also wins because he gets the Christian to compromise their own spirituality and sacrifice the blessings of God on the altar of greed.
We all know someone that will try to say that the tithe is from the Old Testament and that it is not for us in the New Testament church. This is based on the flawed reasoning that the tithe was from the law. Jesus fulfilled the law. We are not under the tithe any more. I agree that we are not bound by the law. But the tithe came before the law. It is therefore not under the law. It is of faith because the same person that taught us salvation by faith, Abraham, is the same person that thought us the tithe. Furthermore, Jesus does say that we should tithe, even if it the small things like mint and cumin.
The widow that cast in her two mites did not give just a tithe. She gave it all. When was the last time any of us did that for God? She did not just give 10%. She gave her whole paycheck, 100%!
Still, the two mites was just a pittance. How was that going to help the temple? What difference was that going to make. It made an incredible difference. . . to God. Why would God need two mites? He did not need it.
God did not need those two mites. Neither does He NEED your little 10%, even if it is a million dollars. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. God does not need our money, but He wants our faith. He wants us to believe that we can do more with 90% than with 100%. He wants us to believe that He will take care of all of our needs.
A. Proportional Principle
The rich people in Jesus day thought that they were giving God a great deal because they put large amounts of money into the Temple collection. Jesus does not keep record like we do. Jesus said that the widow put in more than the rich men. That would be like some poor old lady putting $20 in the offering plate next to a millionaire who puts in $1000. But God shows us in this story that He is not interested in how much we put in. He is more concerned with how much we put in compared to how much we could put in. If the rich man made $100,000 that week, he only put in 1%. But the widow only made $20 that week. She put in 100%. She gave far more than the rich man.
This is true for all our lives, not just the tithe. God does not want to know how much you did for Him compared to someone else. He wants to know how much you did for Him compared how much you could have done.
B. Pride Principle Matthew 6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Part of the problem that Jesus was trying to fix was the problem with pride. The rich men make a great show of how much they give to the church or temple. But that is not the spirit of giving that God calls us to. God wants us to give quietly and humbly. This was part of what Jesus saw in the widow’s two mites. The widow was not there making a show. She was not bragging. She just gave. She gave humbly.
Pride will keep people from giving just as it can cause people to make a show of it. We want what we want. Then we make the excuse, “It’s only . . .” this much. But if it is God’s, it belongs to God. You say, “But it is too small to matter.” Well, if you think it does not matter, then why do you so much want to keep it. That is the real problem. It is not the amount, it is the heart that holds back from God.
The widow’s might was not too small. Neither is your tithe. Give it to God and see what He does with it. We are still talking about the widow’s two little mites.
C. Poverty Principle Matthew 5:3 Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
There is a principle that God says that we need to be impoverished before God. This runs against some of the most popular “Christian” teachers in our society today. These prosperity teachers say that if you are right with God, then you will never want for anything. The problem was that Paul said he learned to be content when he was poor. He was not always, but he was for certain times in his life. Jesus did not have anywhere place to lay His head at times.
God is not saying that being poor is a virtue, but neither is being rich a virtue. What God is saying is that we need to be poor in spirit. The widow was. She did not lift up herself as someone important. She just wanted to give all that she had to God. The rich men . . . not so much. If you are poor in spirit, you recognize your own internal poverty. We need God’s filling. And it is not about poverty that sin brings because Jesus was poor in spirit. Though He did not need to rely on anyone else as divine Himself, He did rely on the Father. He perfectly exemplified that we need to rely on God’s power and presence. Without the person, power, and presence of God, that is true poverty. When we recognize our own personal poverty, we give God the room to work.
III. Too Small a Text II Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them]; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
As Paul prophesied in II Timothy 3, evil men have come. They are at work in our society as they were in Paul’s. What do they want? They want to seduce us with their lies. To do that, they must turn us away from the truth of God’s Word. Either they will distract from it, dilute it, or defame it.
One of Satan’s favorite questions must be, “Since everyone disagrees about the Bible, how can we know who’s right?” Then of you have “scholars” who are discovering new books of the Bible all of the time. Or they are “discovering” that the Bible does not really mean what it says.
Here is the answer to a whole mess of foolish thinking.
God loves us.
God was powerful enough to send us a message (Bible) telling us that He loves us.
God is powerful enough to protect that Book so that we can know the truth like those before.
A. Seducers
Today, Satan would love for people to think that the Bible is “too small.” “You need me to explain it to you.” It is good but you must have this additional teaching, writing, revelation to really understand it.
This was what the Church of Rome did. The common people could not understand the Bible themselves. Oh no, they needed the priests to explain what it means. The Mormons say that you cannot understand the Bible by itself. You need the other books by Joseph Smith. The Jehovah false Witnesses say you need the Watchtower Society to really understand the Bible. The Jews today say that you cannot really understand the Torah without the Rabbis.
All these unregenerate organizations are really saying, “The Bible is Too Small.” You have to add this or that to really get what you need. They are con-men and are trying to keep a spiritual monopoly on your faith.
The Bible is not too small. The only help you really need to understand it properly is the Holy Spirit. Just ask God to help you understand. He will help.
B. Salvation
The Bible is not too small because it is the seed of salvation. Think about it. The Bible is the tool that fixed your eternal destiny. It is the love poem of God that wooed your wandering heart. It is the Sword of the Spirit that cuts between what your soul wants and what God says.
This Bible that brought you to salvation is now not enough for you after? No. God’s Word is complete and full. It is not just here to give you a fire escape from hell. It is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. It is perfect so that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. It saved you. Now, trust it to take you the rest of the way.
Now, what does this mean? It means that it is the way that you can tell if a person is lying and trying to seduce you. Is the teacher/preacher telling you the Word of God in context, in a balanced way? Or does he take just one phrase out and use it to his own ends? Does the preacher make a careful study of all the Word of God, or are there sections that he is afraid to deal with? Does your preacher even teach the Word of God? Or is he too busy telling jokes and expounding on psychology?
There is plenty of psychology in the Bible. God’s Word is not too small. You do not need to add pop psychology to it.
C. Success Psalms 1:2 But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Finally, if you will recognize that God’s Word is not too small, and start to meditate on it, you will see real success in your life. Look at what Psalm 1:3 says. Everything that this person does will prosper. What is it that that person is doing that causes everything they do to prosper? Verse 2 says that he meditates in the law of the Lord. He delights in the Word of God. This man will have all manner of fruit and blessings.
Too many preachers are not preaching God’s Word. I saw one preacher on TV that was “preaching.” He is still a very popular preacher and has literally thousands of people come to hear him every week. His message was only twenty minutes long, approximately. I listened, just waiting to hear him quote a single verse. I thought for sure he was not going to give even one. I finally heard one verse after at least fifteen minutes of his feel good message. He was a great speaker, easy to hear, easy to watch, charismatic, but he did not preach anything. At least he did not preach anything from God’s Word. This preacher was saying by this that God’s Word is too small. God needed him to put his psychology and feel good motivation into the mix.
No, my friend. That man needs to start teaching people to meditate on God’s Word. I would rather the man read one verse and sit down than to muddle it all up with his whole feel good message. His feel good message has the spiritual “nutritional value” of whip cream. That was what it was. It was spiritual whip cream. When people walk away, they do not remember what God’s Word says. No, they remember how tremendous this man’s 15 minute motivation was.
Real success has the Word of God as its basis and its fruit. God’s Word is not too small.
February 21, 2010 sn
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Is “Christian Martial Art” an Oxymoron?
I have been interested in martial arts, for self defense and entertainment, since I was a kid. This is the experience of many young men growing up in America during the last fifty years. With the TV shows “Green Hornet” and then “Kung Fu,” America fell in love with oriental martial arts. As I was growing up, Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris were icons. They were heroes to every young man aspiring to be a “real man.”
In this culture, I grew up thinking that the Far East was where all real martial arts came from. If it was not from China, Japan, or Okinawa, it was not real martial arts. Of course, that is not true, but it was the cultural conception.
Now, if you have grown up with conservative Christianity in you life, you have also heard someone say, “Martial Arts are evil because they are based on false religions.” This statement is based on the premise that Martial Arts can be religious. This is a premise that I agree with. But that does not mean that all martial arts are evil. While some martial arts are based on false religions, some even based on satanic beliefs, not all are.
In America these days, there are large groups of people that want to secularize everything, from martial arts to government, from entertainment to holidays (holy days). While this is their goal, it is not possible to entirely divorce anything from the philosophy behind it.
It is clear that the Eastern martial arts are closely intertwined with their oriental religions of origin. The vestiges of pagan ancestor worship, reincarnation, and perfection through the unity of opposites (Tao) are all still to be found in the oriental martial arts, even as they are taught here in America.
The orient, however, does not have a monopoly on martial arts. Martial arts are as old as man. Man did not start in China, but in the Middle East. Martial arts did not start in China; they were in the Middle East first. Every culture has had some type of martial arts. (Did you know about the Bowie knife martial art in America?) Nor does the past have a monopoly on martial arts. Martial arts are still being developed and changed. While there is nothing new under the sun, there are martial arts still being developed based on new philosophy or theology.
Christ:
The Heart of Cha Yun Do
I cannot speak authoritatively about every martial art out there in the world. I have trained formally in only one martial art, Cha Yun Do. I know what it does and why. But I have had many opportunities to compare that to other martial arts.
Cha Yun Do was made by an American, Randy Young. Cha Yun Do is copyrighted and registered with the Copyright Office of United States of America.
The credentials for the Art of Cha Yun Do are as follows: The Christian Martial Arts Fellowship teaches and has taught the Art of Cha Yun Do exclusively since it beginning in 1989. It is recognized and sanctioned by:
• Christian Sokeship Federation
• United States Martial Arts Association
• USMA International Board of Martial Arts Masters
Cha Yun Do is copyrighted and registered with the Copyright Office of United States of America is the exclusive property of Randolph A. Young.
Cha Yun Do has a Korean heritage. It is an American martial art. Yet it uses Korean terminology in respect of its origins. There are reasons for this. It gives people an experience in another culture. It also recognizes that Dr. Young relied on some formalities he learned in some Korean martial arts to formulate his American art. Plus, some people feel like it is more “karate like” if there is the foreign terminology.
I know Dr. Young personally. He is a Christian and started Cha Yun Do because he was tired of the influence of Eastern Mysticism he was forced to deal with in other arts. He was very accomplished in several disciplines. He decided to take what he knew from his martial arts training, law enforcement experience, and his Christianity and formulate a new American martial art.
Dr. Young wanted to have something that was fundamentally basic to the way that God made us. So, his guiding philosophy was if it is based on natural motions of the body, this would produce the most power and speed for the technique. There are many martial arts that are not very natural to the human body. We can do them, but they often cause long term issues that will manifest themselves in the practitioner later in life. There are arts that a young person can do, but as they age they have to stop because of the joint or nerve damage done.
“Cha Yun Do” means the “natural way” or “natural art.” So, the motions in this system are designed to follow the natural motions of the body. These motions are not only safer than the techniques of some other types of karate, but in fact they strengthen the body, increase agility, and add flexibility. Some arts use jerky motions that force the joints of the body to absorb force that is not necessary. This can cause problems in the joints.
Cha Yun Do is useful for those that have challenges in their joints and ligaments. The young and elderly alike find this system healthful for their bodies.
Most important is that this is a Christian Martial Art. This art was designed from the very beginning to be based on Christian philosophy and world view. There is no non Biblical mysticism here. At my Cha Yun Do school, you will find prayer requests and prayer before every Eagles Corps Class. There is also Scripture memorization and recitation. We strive for a Christian spirit of community and brotherly love.
While we all pray that we never have to defend ourselves or our families, Eagles Corps Karate (my school) and Cha Yun Do give us tools if God ever calls on us to do so.
What I am about to relate to you about our Christian Martial Art will make no sense to you if you are not a disciple of Jesus Christ. But if you know Christ, these principles should resonate with your faith and practice.
Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
I. What is the Impact of Christianity on Martial Arts?
We are Christians, right? Jesus taught us that we should not fight right? The Bible says we should not kill, right?
What does the Bible say about fighting, killing, and murder? Murder is older than human government. When Cain killed his brother Able, there was no retribution allowed by God. While murder was a sin, it was not yet a crime. God said that there should be no capital punishment. But then after the flood, many things changed. In Genesis 9:6 “Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” God said that if a man murders, then he must be put to death. This was the beginning of and the basis for human government. This demonstrates the principle that law without penalty is not a real law because it is not enforceable.
From this theistic mandate, man’s right to self defense is certainly assured. Whether man had the right to defend himself by killing an attacker before this mandate, he definitely has it since.
A. But Christian Martial artist, that’s an oxymoron, right? Psalms 144:1 A Psalm of David. Blessed [be] the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, [and] my fingers to fight:
The Bible shows from Genesis to Revelation that not all killing is murder. Self defense is not murder. It is simple to see by extension that defense of an innocent other person is justified. We just saw that God’s mandate against murder justifies human government to use capital management. The natural extension of that mandate is the ability of government to wage war. If you do not defend your country, the enemy can come in and kill your citizens. This justifies the soldiers to be warriors and to practice the art of war.
So, we see, there is a personal right to learn martial arts to protect self. Furthermore, soldiers have a right and responsibility to learn the art of war.
B. But Christians should not fight. Luke 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take [it], and likewise [his] scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one . . . 38 And they said, Lord, behold, here [are] two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
Yes, but that was the Old Testament, right? We are in the New Testament. This is the age of grace. We should not fight, right? “Jesus taught us another way. We should have mercy on people, not put them to death.”
Is that really what Jesus taught? No, Jesus told his disciples to get a sword when he was about to be crucified. Why would Jesus tell them to get a sword? They were not soldiers. They were not police. The only reason Jesus would tell them to keep a sword is for self defense. This is clearly an authorization by Jesus Himself for his disciples to protect themselves even to death.
Furthermore, we see that the Apostle Paul confirms the death penalty in Romans 13:4 “For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to [execute] wrath upon him that doeth evil.” Why does he have a sword if not as a weapon? Paul demonstrates that capital punishment is valid and still in proper use for our dispensation.
C. What about turn the other cheek? Matthew 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
But Jesus said that we should turn the other cheek. How does that square with self defense? Notice that Jesus said that Jesus said if they smite thee on right cheek. But if someone punches you, chances are they will strike you on the left cheek. How would a right handed person strike someone on the right cheek? A back hand. Jesus is not saying if someone tries to beat you up you have to submit to it. He is saying that if someone insults you by giving you the back of the hand, turn the other cheek. We do not respond to insults with violence. If someone insults us, turn the other cheek. This makes sense of the two verses very nicely.
II. What is the Impact of Christianity on the Philosophy/temperament of a martial art?
A. The brotherhood of the saints Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Many martial arts still carry the vestiges of human idolatry in their schools, both in philosophy and practice. The Instructor (Sensei) in some traditional martial arts is still revered with demigod respect. Black belts are revered above all students below.
The experience is much different in Cha Yun Do, as a Christian martial art. There is, obviously, respect for the instructors and for the black belts, but this is different from the traditional schools. We do not lord rank or position over others. There is a greater sense of brotherhood in a Christian organization because we know that all men are equal in the sight of God.
God does not love any man or woman more than any other. He is not a respecter of persons. God loves us all and that love should be showed equally by each of us to the others around us.
This Christian humility is not the same spirit that is conveyed by many of the traditional Eastern martial arts. But this is the spirit that will be in the school that has Biblical principles guiding it.
B. The humility of the leader Matthew 23:11 “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.”
As previously mentioned, the instructor in traditional arts is revered and idolized. This is a vestige of the pagan theologies of the East. In some cultures, the bow with eyes down is a sign of worship. In contrast, to bow with eyes still raised is a sign of respect between equals.
We, in Cha Yun Do, bow with eyes raised. We do not worship the instructor, the black belt, the grand master, or any ancestors as is common in Eastern martial arts. We retain an eyes-raised bow of respect but there is no idolatry.
The Christian leader is called to be a servant. This is based on our spiritual “grand master” Jesus Christ. He showed that to be a true instructor/leader, one must be a servant/leader. He bowed the knee to his disciples and washed their feet. Because he humbled himself more than anyone else has ever humbled himself, God will raise Jesus higher than anyone will ever be raised.
So, in Cha Yun Do, as should be in any Christian martial art, the grand master, Dr. Young is one of the most humble men I have ever known. He exudes a spirit of authority and power in his teaching, but it is not based on his own strength or personal presence. Rather it is an authority that arises from his spiritual life in Christ. He is a servant to his students and has true care and Christian love for them.
This is a great difference between a Christian and pagan martial art. Traditional arts elevate the master in pride and position. “You do what I say because I tell you to.” This is not a Christian principle. Paul said in I Corinthians 11:1, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also [am] of Christ.” We should follow our Christian leaders/instructors, but only to the degree that they follow Christ.
Dr. Young and other Christian martial artists will tell their students why they should do it a certain way. But often in traditional arts, the instructor cannot tell the students why. Sadly, the reason they cannot tell is because they themselves do not know.
Dr. Young also emphasizes another difference between a traditional martial art and a Christian one. In traditional arts, the master always keeps back something. This guarantees superiority over his students. This keeps the students lacking one piece of the puzzle. In this way, over the generations, information and techniques have been lost in the traditional arts because of this practice. But the students of these arts blindly do what they have been taught without knowing why. It was just the way they were taught.
In a Christian martial art, the master pours out everything that he can to his students. He does not hold back to maintain false superiority. He does not need to erect false walls. The Christian leader is a servant. He wants his students to succeed, even if that means that they become better than the instructor. There is no threat to the Christian instructor if his students become better than him because of the spirit of Christian community. The student and the instructor both esteem the other better than themselves (Philippians 2:3 above)
C. The Principle of wealth Ecclesiastes 11:1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
The traditional martial arts cost a lot of money to study. The workman is worthy of his hire, Luke 10:7 “. . .for the labourer is worthy of his hire. . .” But there seems to be many martial arts instructors that charge far more than they need to. Some demand that the students lock themselves into staggering contracts that chain people into commitments in spite of circumstances that often inevitably change.
In contrast, the schools in the Christian Martial Arts Fellowship (CMAF) do not use contracts. Although there is nothing wrong with contracts if they are fair, our schools do not use them because we approach our schools differently. We also have a better than average retention rate of new students, even without contracts.
None of the CMAF schools are there to make anyone rich. They are designed to teach people to defend themselves without the students impoverishing themselves. Frankly, every instructor in the CMAF could charge much more than they do. While there is nothing wrong with a martial artist to make his living by instructing, that is not why we in the CMAF are there.
I do believe that a Christian martial artist will approach the matter of money and tuition differently than those in the traditional arts. Even if they make their living by teaching, they will not charge exorbitant prices. Rather, they enrich their students by the teaching in a spirit of charity.
III. What is the Impact of Christianity on the Expectation placed on students? II Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
The instructors of traditional martial arts have much different expectations on their students than Christian instructors will. The difference goes back to the theology of the art. Because many of the traditional arts are based on ancestor worship, there is a heritage in these arts that extends even to today. This heritage translates into the expectation that each student must measure up to the instructor. “If you do not do it like I do it, you are not doing it right.” This is a subtle kind of idolatry but it is there.
In a Christian martial art, the instructor understands that God has made every person different. God has made some people able to do some things better than others. This means that students may not be able to do things as well as the instructor because of congenital or genetic predispositions. On the other side, some students will develop better techniques than their instructors. This is a Biblical principle. Psalms 119:99 “I have more understanding than all my teachers. . .” The Christian martial artist rejoices when his students become better than he is. This goes back to the last point on humility.
The Christian instructor teaches his students that the standard is not the grand master. Jesus is our God. This translates into the principle that every student should strive to be the best practitioner than he can be for God. This is what Christ expects of us. He does not want us to compare ourselves among ourselves. He wants us to compare ourselves with what God has made us to be. This is the wisdom of the Christian martial artist.
A. Standard of Excellence I Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
So, if the master/instructor is not the standard of excellence, how will people know what to reach for? The answer lies in teaching our students that all things are possible in the will of God. The standard of excellence is God. We need to teach our students to do all that they do, in discipline, self-defense, or service to others for the glory of God. The instructor is a default standard of excellence because “baby” martial artists look to the instructor for all that they know about self-defense. But as the “baby” martial artists mature into experts, they understand things for themselves. At this level, they should also strive to exemplify Christ in their discipline. They need to do the best that they can do for the glory of God.
B. Standard of Service Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
The Christian martial artist recognizes that he practices for God’s glory and for the service of the saints. So, the Christian artist does his classes, drills, and self disciplines to be better able to serve his fellow man. He treats his class mates with respect and humility in a Christian martial art. In contrast, this is not the guiding principle of the traditional arts. There is a certain cut-throat competition in the traditional arts. Traditional arts encourage this for best results. But there is a different respect for others by followers of Christ. No student is better than any other. We all help each other to become better. We are not threatened by the success of fellow students.
IV. What is the Impact of Christianity on Training in the Martial Arts?
A. Necessity of Prayer
A Christian martial artist recognizes that all that we need comes from the Father above. If we are going to be the best martial artist we can be, we will need the help of God. So, Christian martial artist pray. A Christian Karate school will also pray. Philippians 4:6 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
You may think that martial arts and religion should be kept separate. King David did not think so. Psalms 144:1 “A Psalm of David. Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:” The Eastern martial arts do not think so.
The Kung Fu, Karate, Kali (etc.) all wrap spirituality and martial arts into one whole. Transcendental meditation is a spiritual practice. The closest counterpart to it in Christianity is prayer. They meditate to be commune with the universe and open up themselves to the power of the universe. Christianity’s practice to commune with God and receive His power is prayer.
The Christian martial artist that is not practicing prayer is not practicing martial arts to his full potential.
B. Necessity of Scripture
If our requests are made known to God by our prayers, the other side of that equation is God’s communication to us. Christian martial artists must hear from God to be wise and have guidance and direction. This communication comes in various ways, but the most important way is through the reading of God’s holy Word.
The warrior that does not know the rules of engagement will work against his commander and fail his general. God’s rules of engagement and guidelines of battle are found in the Bible. The Christian martial artist that does not read and follow the Bible will fail his Captain, Jesus Christ. You may be able to do great karate, but if you do not know when to use it, how, and to what ends, you will inevitably fail in life.
C. Necessity of Spiritual leadership
The discipline of martial arts is a spiritual discipline. The acts of fighting, defense, and warfare all have questions of right and wrong. If a martial arts instructor does not instruct on when it is right to fight and when it is wrong, he is not fully teaching his students. These questions cannot be divorced from the study of martial arts.
We have all seen this in the movie “Karate Kid.” We see the noble instructor Mr. Miyagi, teaches Daniel-son when to fight and when not to. We also see the Cobra Kai instructor being evil in his wisdom and perverted in his nobility.
The best martial artist in the traditional arts will never be able to know what God’s true will is for his martial arts unless he learns God’s wisdom of the use of it. So, in Christian martial arts, the instructor must point the students to the origin of highest wisdom, Jesus Christ. For an instructor to give the tools of self defense without the wisdom of when and how to use them is careless and dangerous. The instructor must know God’s ways.
The Christian martial artist can give spiritual instruction in three ways: Communication, Example, and Attitude. All three are vital. We must tell our students the truth and wisdom of God. But then we must continue by doing it ourselves. If we do not do what we say, we are become hypocrites, speaking one thing in word and another thing in action. But then we need to have the right attitude. If we say the right thing, and do it, but with the wrong attitude, we will fail to communicate God’s wisdom. Our students will rebel against such hypocrisy.
So, the martial arts instructor must have the spirit of humility, kindness, respect in his words and actions. Otherwise, his wrong attitude will speak louder than the words.
In this culture, I grew up thinking that the Far East was where all real martial arts came from. If it was not from China, Japan, or Okinawa, it was not real martial arts. Of course, that is not true, but it was the cultural conception.
Now, if you have grown up with conservative Christianity in you life, you have also heard someone say, “Martial Arts are evil because they are based on false religions.” This statement is based on the premise that Martial Arts can be religious. This is a premise that I agree with. But that does not mean that all martial arts are evil. While some martial arts are based on false religions, some even based on satanic beliefs, not all are.
In America these days, there are large groups of people that want to secularize everything, from martial arts to government, from entertainment to holidays (holy days). While this is their goal, it is not possible to entirely divorce anything from the philosophy behind it.
It is clear that the Eastern martial arts are closely intertwined with their oriental religions of origin. The vestiges of pagan ancestor worship, reincarnation, and perfection through the unity of opposites (Tao) are all still to be found in the oriental martial arts, even as they are taught here in America.
The orient, however, does not have a monopoly on martial arts. Martial arts are as old as man. Man did not start in China, but in the Middle East. Martial arts did not start in China; they were in the Middle East first. Every culture has had some type of martial arts. (Did you know about the Bowie knife martial art in America?) Nor does the past have a monopoly on martial arts. Martial arts are still being developed and changed. While there is nothing new under the sun, there are martial arts still being developed based on new philosophy or theology.
Christ:
The Heart of Cha Yun Do
I cannot speak authoritatively about every martial art out there in the world. I have trained formally in only one martial art, Cha Yun Do. I know what it does and why. But I have had many opportunities to compare that to other martial arts.
Cha Yun Do was made by an American, Randy Young. Cha Yun Do is copyrighted and registered with the Copyright Office of United States of America.
The credentials for the Art of Cha Yun Do are as follows: The Christian Martial Arts Fellowship teaches and has taught the Art of Cha Yun Do exclusively since it beginning in 1989. It is recognized and sanctioned by:
• Christian Sokeship Federation
• United States Martial Arts Association
• USMA International Board of Martial Arts Masters
Cha Yun Do is copyrighted and registered with the Copyright Office of United States of America is the exclusive property of Randolph A. Young.
Cha Yun Do has a Korean heritage. It is an American martial art. Yet it uses Korean terminology in respect of its origins. There are reasons for this. It gives people an experience in another culture. It also recognizes that Dr. Young relied on some formalities he learned in some Korean martial arts to formulate his American art. Plus, some people feel like it is more “karate like” if there is the foreign terminology.
I know Dr. Young personally. He is a Christian and started Cha Yun Do because he was tired of the influence of Eastern Mysticism he was forced to deal with in other arts. He was very accomplished in several disciplines. He decided to take what he knew from his martial arts training, law enforcement experience, and his Christianity and formulate a new American martial art.
Dr. Young wanted to have something that was fundamentally basic to the way that God made us. So, his guiding philosophy was if it is based on natural motions of the body, this would produce the most power and speed for the technique. There are many martial arts that are not very natural to the human body. We can do them, but they often cause long term issues that will manifest themselves in the practitioner later in life. There are arts that a young person can do, but as they age they have to stop because of the joint or nerve damage done.
“Cha Yun Do” means the “natural way” or “natural art.” So, the motions in this system are designed to follow the natural motions of the body. These motions are not only safer than the techniques of some other types of karate, but in fact they strengthen the body, increase agility, and add flexibility. Some arts use jerky motions that force the joints of the body to absorb force that is not necessary. This can cause problems in the joints.
Cha Yun Do is useful for those that have challenges in their joints and ligaments. The young and elderly alike find this system healthful for their bodies.
Most important is that this is a Christian Martial Art. This art was designed from the very beginning to be based on Christian philosophy and world view. There is no non Biblical mysticism here. At my Cha Yun Do school, you will find prayer requests and prayer before every Eagles Corps Class. There is also Scripture memorization and recitation. We strive for a Christian spirit of community and brotherly love.
While we all pray that we never have to defend ourselves or our families, Eagles Corps Karate (my school) and Cha Yun Do give us tools if God ever calls on us to do so.
What I am about to relate to you about our Christian Martial Art will make no sense to you if you are not a disciple of Jesus Christ. But if you know Christ, these principles should resonate with your faith and practice.
Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
I. What is the Impact of Christianity on Martial Arts?
We are Christians, right? Jesus taught us that we should not fight right? The Bible says we should not kill, right?
What does the Bible say about fighting, killing, and murder? Murder is older than human government. When Cain killed his brother Able, there was no retribution allowed by God. While murder was a sin, it was not yet a crime. God said that there should be no capital punishment. But then after the flood, many things changed. In Genesis 9:6 “Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” God said that if a man murders, then he must be put to death. This was the beginning of and the basis for human government. This demonstrates the principle that law without penalty is not a real law because it is not enforceable.
From this theistic mandate, man’s right to self defense is certainly assured. Whether man had the right to defend himself by killing an attacker before this mandate, he definitely has it since.
A. But Christian Martial artist, that’s an oxymoron, right? Psalms 144:1 A Psalm of David. Blessed [be] the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, [and] my fingers to fight:
The Bible shows from Genesis to Revelation that not all killing is murder. Self defense is not murder. It is simple to see by extension that defense of an innocent other person is justified. We just saw that God’s mandate against murder justifies human government to use capital management. The natural extension of that mandate is the ability of government to wage war. If you do not defend your country, the enemy can come in and kill your citizens. This justifies the soldiers to be warriors and to practice the art of war.
So, we see, there is a personal right to learn martial arts to protect self. Furthermore, soldiers have a right and responsibility to learn the art of war.
B. But Christians should not fight. Luke 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take [it], and likewise [his] scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one . . . 38 And they said, Lord, behold, here [are] two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
Yes, but that was the Old Testament, right? We are in the New Testament. This is the age of grace. We should not fight, right? “Jesus taught us another way. We should have mercy on people, not put them to death.”
Is that really what Jesus taught? No, Jesus told his disciples to get a sword when he was about to be crucified. Why would Jesus tell them to get a sword? They were not soldiers. They were not police. The only reason Jesus would tell them to keep a sword is for self defense. This is clearly an authorization by Jesus Himself for his disciples to protect themselves even to death.
Furthermore, we see that the Apostle Paul confirms the death penalty in Romans 13:4 “For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to [execute] wrath upon him that doeth evil.” Why does he have a sword if not as a weapon? Paul demonstrates that capital punishment is valid and still in proper use for our dispensation.
C. What about turn the other cheek? Matthew 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
But Jesus said that we should turn the other cheek. How does that square with self defense? Notice that Jesus said that Jesus said if they smite thee on right cheek. But if someone punches you, chances are they will strike you on the left cheek. How would a right handed person strike someone on the right cheek? A back hand. Jesus is not saying if someone tries to beat you up you have to submit to it. He is saying that if someone insults you by giving you the back of the hand, turn the other cheek. We do not respond to insults with violence. If someone insults us, turn the other cheek. This makes sense of the two verses very nicely.
II. What is the Impact of Christianity on the Philosophy/temperament of a martial art?
A. The brotherhood of the saints Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Many martial arts still carry the vestiges of human idolatry in their schools, both in philosophy and practice. The Instructor (Sensei) in some traditional martial arts is still revered with demigod respect. Black belts are revered above all students below.
The experience is much different in Cha Yun Do, as a Christian martial art. There is, obviously, respect for the instructors and for the black belts, but this is different from the traditional schools. We do not lord rank or position over others. There is a greater sense of brotherhood in a Christian organization because we know that all men are equal in the sight of God.
God does not love any man or woman more than any other. He is not a respecter of persons. God loves us all and that love should be showed equally by each of us to the others around us.
This Christian humility is not the same spirit that is conveyed by many of the traditional Eastern martial arts. But this is the spirit that will be in the school that has Biblical principles guiding it.
B. The humility of the leader Matthew 23:11 “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.”
As previously mentioned, the instructor in traditional arts is revered and idolized. This is a vestige of the pagan theologies of the East. In some cultures, the bow with eyes down is a sign of worship. In contrast, to bow with eyes still raised is a sign of respect between equals.
We, in Cha Yun Do, bow with eyes raised. We do not worship the instructor, the black belt, the grand master, or any ancestors as is common in Eastern martial arts. We retain an eyes-raised bow of respect but there is no idolatry.
The Christian leader is called to be a servant. This is based on our spiritual “grand master” Jesus Christ. He showed that to be a true instructor/leader, one must be a servant/leader. He bowed the knee to his disciples and washed their feet. Because he humbled himself more than anyone else has ever humbled himself, God will raise Jesus higher than anyone will ever be raised.
So, in Cha Yun Do, as should be in any Christian martial art, the grand master, Dr. Young is one of the most humble men I have ever known. He exudes a spirit of authority and power in his teaching, but it is not based on his own strength or personal presence. Rather it is an authority that arises from his spiritual life in Christ. He is a servant to his students and has true care and Christian love for them.
This is a great difference between a Christian and pagan martial art. Traditional arts elevate the master in pride and position. “You do what I say because I tell you to.” This is not a Christian principle. Paul said in I Corinthians 11:1, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also [am] of Christ.” We should follow our Christian leaders/instructors, but only to the degree that they follow Christ.
Dr. Young and other Christian martial artists will tell their students why they should do it a certain way. But often in traditional arts, the instructor cannot tell the students why. Sadly, the reason they cannot tell is because they themselves do not know.
Dr. Young also emphasizes another difference between a traditional martial art and a Christian one. In traditional arts, the master always keeps back something. This guarantees superiority over his students. This keeps the students lacking one piece of the puzzle. In this way, over the generations, information and techniques have been lost in the traditional arts because of this practice. But the students of these arts blindly do what they have been taught without knowing why. It was just the way they were taught.
In a Christian martial art, the master pours out everything that he can to his students. He does not hold back to maintain false superiority. He does not need to erect false walls. The Christian leader is a servant. He wants his students to succeed, even if that means that they become better than the instructor. There is no threat to the Christian instructor if his students become better than him because of the spirit of Christian community. The student and the instructor both esteem the other better than themselves (Philippians 2:3 above)
C. The Principle of wealth Ecclesiastes 11:1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
The traditional martial arts cost a lot of money to study. The workman is worthy of his hire, Luke 10:7 “. . .for the labourer is worthy of his hire. . .” But there seems to be many martial arts instructors that charge far more than they need to. Some demand that the students lock themselves into staggering contracts that chain people into commitments in spite of circumstances that often inevitably change.
In contrast, the schools in the Christian Martial Arts Fellowship (CMAF) do not use contracts. Although there is nothing wrong with contracts if they are fair, our schools do not use them because we approach our schools differently. We also have a better than average retention rate of new students, even without contracts.
None of the CMAF schools are there to make anyone rich. They are designed to teach people to defend themselves without the students impoverishing themselves. Frankly, every instructor in the CMAF could charge much more than they do. While there is nothing wrong with a martial artist to make his living by instructing, that is not why we in the CMAF are there.
I do believe that a Christian martial artist will approach the matter of money and tuition differently than those in the traditional arts. Even if they make their living by teaching, they will not charge exorbitant prices. Rather, they enrich their students by the teaching in a spirit of charity.
III. What is the Impact of Christianity on the Expectation placed on students? II Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
The instructors of traditional martial arts have much different expectations on their students than Christian instructors will. The difference goes back to the theology of the art. Because many of the traditional arts are based on ancestor worship, there is a heritage in these arts that extends even to today. This heritage translates into the expectation that each student must measure up to the instructor. “If you do not do it like I do it, you are not doing it right.” This is a subtle kind of idolatry but it is there.
In a Christian martial art, the instructor understands that God has made every person different. God has made some people able to do some things better than others. This means that students may not be able to do things as well as the instructor because of congenital or genetic predispositions. On the other side, some students will develop better techniques than their instructors. This is a Biblical principle. Psalms 119:99 “I have more understanding than all my teachers. . .” The Christian martial artist rejoices when his students become better than he is. This goes back to the last point on humility.
The Christian instructor teaches his students that the standard is not the grand master. Jesus is our God. This translates into the principle that every student should strive to be the best practitioner than he can be for God. This is what Christ expects of us. He does not want us to compare ourselves among ourselves. He wants us to compare ourselves with what God has made us to be. This is the wisdom of the Christian martial artist.
A. Standard of Excellence I Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
So, if the master/instructor is not the standard of excellence, how will people know what to reach for? The answer lies in teaching our students that all things are possible in the will of God. The standard of excellence is God. We need to teach our students to do all that they do, in discipline, self-defense, or service to others for the glory of God. The instructor is a default standard of excellence because “baby” martial artists look to the instructor for all that they know about self-defense. But as the “baby” martial artists mature into experts, they understand things for themselves. At this level, they should also strive to exemplify Christ in their discipline. They need to do the best that they can do for the glory of God.
B. Standard of Service Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
The Christian martial artist recognizes that he practices for God’s glory and for the service of the saints. So, the Christian artist does his classes, drills, and self disciplines to be better able to serve his fellow man. He treats his class mates with respect and humility in a Christian martial art. In contrast, this is not the guiding principle of the traditional arts. There is a certain cut-throat competition in the traditional arts. Traditional arts encourage this for best results. But there is a different respect for others by followers of Christ. No student is better than any other. We all help each other to become better. We are not threatened by the success of fellow students.
IV. What is the Impact of Christianity on Training in the Martial Arts?
A. Necessity of Prayer
A Christian martial artist recognizes that all that we need comes from the Father above. If we are going to be the best martial artist we can be, we will need the help of God. So, Christian martial artist pray. A Christian Karate school will also pray. Philippians 4:6 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
You may think that martial arts and religion should be kept separate. King David did not think so. Psalms 144:1 “A Psalm of David. Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:” The Eastern martial arts do not think so.
The Kung Fu, Karate, Kali (etc.) all wrap spirituality and martial arts into one whole. Transcendental meditation is a spiritual practice. The closest counterpart to it in Christianity is prayer. They meditate to be commune with the universe and open up themselves to the power of the universe. Christianity’s practice to commune with God and receive His power is prayer.
The Christian martial artist that is not practicing prayer is not practicing martial arts to his full potential.
B. Necessity of Scripture
If our requests are made known to God by our prayers, the other side of that equation is God’s communication to us. Christian martial artists must hear from God to be wise and have guidance and direction. This communication comes in various ways, but the most important way is through the reading of God’s holy Word.
The warrior that does not know the rules of engagement will work against his commander and fail his general. God’s rules of engagement and guidelines of battle are found in the Bible. The Christian martial artist that does not read and follow the Bible will fail his Captain, Jesus Christ. You may be able to do great karate, but if you do not know when to use it, how, and to what ends, you will inevitably fail in life.
C. Necessity of Spiritual leadership
The discipline of martial arts is a spiritual discipline. The acts of fighting, defense, and warfare all have questions of right and wrong. If a martial arts instructor does not instruct on when it is right to fight and when it is wrong, he is not fully teaching his students. These questions cannot be divorced from the study of martial arts.
We have all seen this in the movie “Karate Kid.” We see the noble instructor Mr. Miyagi, teaches Daniel-son when to fight and when not to. We also see the Cobra Kai instructor being evil in his wisdom and perverted in his nobility.
The best martial artist in the traditional arts will never be able to know what God’s true will is for his martial arts unless he learns God’s wisdom of the use of it. So, in Christian martial arts, the instructor must point the students to the origin of highest wisdom, Jesus Christ. For an instructor to give the tools of self defense without the wisdom of when and how to use them is careless and dangerous. The instructor must know God’s ways.
The Christian martial artist can give spiritual instruction in three ways: Communication, Example, and Attitude. All three are vital. We must tell our students the truth and wisdom of God. But then we must continue by doing it ourselves. If we do not do what we say, we are become hypocrites, speaking one thing in word and another thing in action. But then we need to have the right attitude. If we say the right thing, and do it, but with the wrong attitude, we will fail to communicate God’s wisdom. Our students will rebel against such hypocrisy.
So, the martial arts instructor must have the spirit of humility, kindness, respect in his words and actions. Otherwise, his wrong attitude will speak louder than the words.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Rights Responsibilities and Humility
The following is a small collection of some of the short essays that I wrote on various topics in College. I hope you enjoy. Perhaps they will instigate some rambling thoughts about important issues
Monday, February 1, 2010
Advice for Unemployment Hearings in Michigan
Advice for Unemployment Hearings in Michigan: "Sometimes, however, people who do qualify (Claimants) are denied their benefits. This is sometimes happens because the Employer tells the UIA that the Claimant should not get benefits. Sometimes, the Employer does not stand in the way, but the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) decides that the Claimant is disqualified.
The good news is that you can protest if you are denied your benefits"
The good news is that you can protest if you are denied your benefits"
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