Feb
02
2010
“Jesus Didn’t Tap”
The New York Times has an interesting article about the increasing popularity of mixed martial arts (MMA) among evangelical Christians as an outreach event and means of getting Christian men back into church. The article opens by profiling Pastor John Renken of Xtreme Ministries, “a small church near Nashville that doubles as a mixed martial arts academy.” From the story:
Mr. Renken’s ministry is one of a small but growing number of evangelical churches that have embraced mixed martial arts — a sport with a reputation for violence and blood that combines kickboxing, wrestling and other fighting styles — to reach and convert young men, whose church attendance has been persistently low. Mixed martial arts events have drawn millions of television viewers, and one was the top pay-per-view event in 2009.
Recruitment efforts at the churches, which are predominantly white, involve fight night television viewing parties and lecture series that use ultimate fighting to explain how Christ fought for what he believed in. Other ministers go further, hosting or participating in live events.
The goal, these pastors say, is to inject some machismo into their ministries — and into the image of Jesus — in the hope of making Christianity more appealing. “Compassion and love — we agree with all that stuff, too,” said Brandon Beals, 37, the lead pastor at Canyon Creek Church outside of Seattle. “But what led me to find Christ was that Jesus was a fighter.”
The article’s author, R.M. Schneiderman, recognizes that embracing popular culture in the name of “outreach” is nothing new for evangelicals–and that MMA ministries are not without critics:
Nondenominational evangelical churches have a long history of using popular culture — rock music, skateboarding and even yoga — to reach new followers. Yet even among more experimental sects, mixed martial arts has critics.
“What you attract people to Christ with is also what you need to get people to stay,” said Eugene Cho, 39, a pastor at Quest Church, an evangelical congregation in Seattle. “I don’t live for the Jesus who eats red meat, drinks beer and beats on other men.”
Robert Brady, 49, the executive vice president of a conservative evangelical group, the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, agreed, saying that the mixed martial arts motif of evangelism “so easily takes away from the real focus of the church, which is the Gospel.”
And, again, showing his knowledge of nineteenth century evangelicalism, Schneiderman puts this latest version of “muscular Christianity” in historical context:
In focusing on the toughness of Christ, evangelical leaders are harking back to a similar movement in the early 1900s, historians say, when women began entering the work force. Proponents of this so-called muscular Christianity advocated weight lifting as a way for Christians to express their masculinity.
So what do you think? Should evangelicals embrace MMA as a means of outreach? And assuming the statistics are right and men are leaving the church in droves, is this a good way to get them back?
36 Comments
It is the heart of the athlete and the fan of the sport that we are after for Christ.
Danny White
Anointed Fighter
The adjective “Anointed” suggests it’s about ego and pride.
Craig, Perhaps you would be so kind as to share your secret for seeing into Danny’s heart.
Stan, heart is a euphemism for special thoughts of the mind, and annointed – when used as self-description – is a euphemism for pious.
Craig mack is the man.
Should evangelicals embrace MMA as a means of outreach?
The question is, “Can a Christian live in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27 – Like God intended mankind to) while he or she literally beats someone’s head in, bloodying them, and hurting them psychically.”
It is sad to see that some “Christians” have more respect for animals than the one that God made in His image. One can say with his mouth that Michael Vick is sick for having dog fights, or that a hillbilly is nuts that he actually enjoys watching cock fights, but can watch with his eyes a man bloody the image of God.
“Is this a good way of getting them back?” you ask… If one says yes to such a question, can I come to their church to watch dog fights, cock fights, and maybe some betta fish fights?
Maybe a better question is “can or should one beat-up, punch, severely beat, or damage the image of God?”
The title of this post is ever intriguing as well… “Jesus Didn’t Tap”, He didn’t!? For it was Jesus’ “taping out” or torment, suffering and death that allowed Him to have victory over Sin and purchase His people.
Appreciate your comments/perspective, Michael. And I had intended to put the title of this post in quotes–it’s taken from the story itself.
Ahh. Makes sense… now on the title. I read this article this morning in the NY Times when I woke up. In all honesty to me, it is sickening. But Mike, if you are a Kuyperian, I am sure that there is a way for the New Calvinist today to redeem it somehow. :)
Ha! And yet, I think even a devout Kuyperian could find pause in the embrace of MMA and the church. His understanding of common grace left room for the antithesis.;)
Ha! Love it!
This here would be a good moment to become 2 Kingdom Theology.
Mike have you seen the site Fight 4 Christ MMA? I was actually thinking about starting a site, “Dog Fightin’ for Christ”, or maybe a blog writing about how to do “Cock Fights for Christ” or vlog it, make t-shirts for it, videos promo’s, interview them before it happens, and as long as we do it in the name of Christ it should be fine with Him, right? You game?
Fight 4 Christ MMA site: http://www.fight4christmma.com/
Mike did you happen to get your order of Combat Fuel to “fight for Christ” that I order for ya earlier this week? http://www.fight4christmma.com/apps/webstore/products/show/1169896
Michael, in defense of MMA, these are two willing victims testing their skills against each other, not an innocent victim being pummeled or abused as in animal abuse.
As far as using it to attract people to the church, I think that should be the gospel. There is potential to create a lot of Christians built on rocky soil. Let the gospel stand or fall by itself. Let Christian athletes come together and encourage on another or use it as an outreach, but not as a church.
Jeff
“testing their skills against each other” & “willing”
I do not care if they are willing or not. To actively involve one’s self in purposely harming the image of God as a “Christian” to me just seems to be bad ethics. But everyone is entitled to have their own view.
Ooops I didn’t mean to say “two willing victims” but competitors. Freudian slip?
Jeff
Jeff, I took a look at your blog and saw that you like the Belgic, Heidelberg and even the Puritans. For the sake of the above post, be sure to read The Heidelberg Confession, Lord’s Day 40, Questions 105-107 on commandment 6. Below I quote question 105, so that you can read it on here and not have to go searching around for it.
Question: What doth God require in the sixth commandment?
Answer: That neither in thoughts, nor words, nor gestures, much less in deeds, I dishonor, hate, or kill my neighbor, by myself of by another; but that I lay aside all desire of revenge; also, that I hurt not myself, nor willfully expose myself to danger. Wherefore also the magistrate is armed with the sword to prevent murder.
Thank you for bringing that up. I really will look into it.
If you watch MMA, most, but not all of the ‘fighers’ greatly respect one another and don’t compete out of anger, spite, revenge etc. Some do on occasion when they really don’t like someone. As in anything, there are all kinds of people. Look at Asian martial arts and you will see a lot of respect.
You would also have to rule out nearly every sport which has violent contact–football, basketball, baseball etc. which I would guess you do and is certainly understandable.
My views on MMA may certainly change because until recently it really upset me just to see a couple seconds of a commercial; Then when I saw them training, how much they respect each other (some), how much of a sport it is, it changed my mind. But that was only in the last couple of years.
BTW I’m against all those silly video games where innocent people are being shot and people are entertaind by being criminals.
Jeff
I think this is yet another subtle, not that subtle actually, compromise to get more people to come to church. How does this show the love of Christ to the world?
Tim,
Didn’t you know nothing more shows the Love of Christ in the Gospel than “testing my skills” out and punching you in the face, throwing your head into the cage until you bleed, shaking your hand afterwards, and then heading to the hospital together in wheel chairs.
Although I am all for engaging culture for the sake of the gospel,it seems as though this is an extension of not only the early 1900’s “masculine” movement, but also the early 2000’s masculine movement (wild at heart, etc). I agree with Tim that sometimes these things look a bit gimmicky?
I must agree with the majority view here and say that you cannot follow the commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself” and support the extreme violence in MMA (or boxing for that matter). To me it brings back memories of the Roman gladiator contests.
The legalists have come out once again when MMA is mentioned.
Why do people never speak out against the NFL? Many of those guys end up crippled.
Anyway these comments have gone way off topic and haven’t really addressed the question, which I did in my first comment. Then things got derailed.
Jeff
I thought this blog was about Jesus Tap Dancing. I was gonna say…
You don’t know that. How would you know that?
But now I get it.
I’m not a fan of MMA, but from what I’ve heard MMA is safer than boxing and wrestling and might even be safer than football or hockey. Cheerleading actually has the most fatalities of any “sport”, but that is another story. MMA teaches disciplines just like every other sport, so I don’t see why it would be wrong to have MMA matches and training as a church ministry. I don’t think it is any different than having some guys over to play basketball in order to build a relationship with them and talk to them about Jesus. We need to get Mark Driscoll on here. He would have some great things to say.
Tim, You make some good points. Gymnastics is also VERY dangerous.
Also dangerous: driving a car; having electricity in the house; swimming pools; riding a bicycle; walking near moving traffic; jumping on a trampoline; getting in and out of the bathtub; changing light bulbs; feeding wheat bread to someone who (knowingly or unknowingly) has celiac sprue; taking aspirin; receiving anesthesia during surgery; climbing trees; rollerblading; riding a skateboard; running up or down stairs; walking up or down stairs; playing in the snow; serving peanuts to guests; getting out of bed; too much bed rest after a back injury; letting someone out of the car without putting the car into park; riding in a car in which there are loose items which can become projectiles in an accident; playing ping-pong; being in public without a firearm; walking on tile floor wearing socks; inheriting a large sum of money; jogging; lifting weights; stretching; driving when sleep deprived; hiking; driving over a bridge; shaking hands; taking communion; cutting the lawn; owning a pet; using a Q-tip to clean one’s ear; closing a door; staying in the hospital; eating in a restaurant; refereeing a football game; delivering pizzas; relaxing in a jacuzzi; coaching a baseball team; staying outdoors if you hear thunder far away; vacuuming the carpet; dusting; playing in a playground; riding roller coasters; diving into a pool; carrying a child on one’s shoulders; swimming or skiing in a Florida lake; swimming in the ocean; climbing a fence; being overweight; being underweight; asthmatics living in cities with high levels of smog.
I could go on for hours but I must go to bed.
If someone is concerned about things that can hurt others I trust they will avoid the above items and forbid their family from engaging in any of the items.
“In order to make Jesus more appealing…” If we have to make Jesus more appealing and attractive, I no longer want to be a Christian. Because up until this point, Jesus is the most beautiful thing I have ever laid eyes on.
I’d encourage folks to check out Eugene Cho’s blog. He’s quoted in the article and he expounds on his thoughts. It’s definitely an interesting read:
http://eugenecho.wordpress.com/2010/02/01/i-dont-live-for-the-jesus-who-eats-red-meat-drinks-beer-and-beats-on-other-men/
I don’t know, this is kind of a funny debate…
The reality is that all of us are called to honor and glorify God in what we do and where we are. When bankers seek to be witnesses to Christ among their co-workers and colleagues, the question is not whether banking is a fitting “evangelical tool”, or whether banking can be used to “make Christ more appealing”. Banking is just a profession, as is MMA fighting. If there are Christ-followers in the MMA world, it only follows that they would seek to glorify God and be a witness to Christ in what they do.
It seems like NYT is confused on this point. It is not surprising that they would be bewildered by Christian ministries in the MMA world. They seem to think that certain Christians have intentionally focused their efforts on MMA fighters and fans. But perhaps we should look at it from a different angle – that there are Christians in the MMA world who are naturally seeking to impact the world around them. Praise God!
MMA can be brutal, but it is a highly technical sport. I would dare say that those of us who focus solely on whether Christianity and MMA are compatible are bordering on legalism…
Great points Sam! I agree completely. I believe you are explaining what it means to be missional and it only makes sense that missional Christianity is alive and well in MMA. Also, MMA is a sport in which highly trained and skilled athletes willingly participate and in most cases really respect each other. This is not anything like dog or cock fighting so don’t be fooled by that false analogy. Also, I think people tend to think of Christians as one-dimensional Mr. Rogers-like people. It doesn’t occur to them that Christians come in all shapes and sizes and have a variety of skills, talents, and abilities, which can all be used for Kingdom purposes. It just so happens that some of those abilities involve kicking people in the head and submitting people with a rear-naked choke. The important fact is that one can master the sport of MMA, but it is how that person carries themselves when the fight is over. Are they faithful husbands and daddy’s? How do they handle their money? How do they handle fame? Their Pride? How are they repping the name of JC with their lifestyle. I hope the NY Times reads this blog and comments.
“Christians come in all shapes and sizes and have a variety of skills, talents, and abilities, which can all be used for Kingdom purposes. It just so happens that some of those abilities involve kicking people in the head and submitting people with a rear-naked choke.”
One of the funniest things I’ve ever read on here!!!
But also spot on! Missional Christianity manifests itself in a lot of unexpected ways – thank God for it!
The wisdom here…that I humbly suggest…is that we first know the Gospel well and also know the humility that comes with the fact that we only know the Gospel so well…..for if we know the Gospel well (or are at least increasing in that direction) and then (secondly) if we know MMA (i.e. have ever watched a fight night…or tried to get to know someone who truly enjoys it) the Gospel will be informing this opinion/comment section.
If the Gospel and (the subject that it could or could not relate to) it is not known well….brothers, we are at best pundits and at worst scoffers here…..
Peace which come from the cross to you all,
Rk
p.s. I am an MMA fan and am continually exploring the depth and meaning of the Gospel…I have found relevance…not repulsion or mutual exclusivity.
Don’t knock it till you try it….YES, Television promotes MMA as violence because it sells and they have to pay their bills (they are business people, not competitors)…..9.8 of 10 people that are inside the sport HATE that it is promoted this way (yes I said .8 of a person)…
Go to your local MMA gym and train for 1 week with them…you will eat your words….
Some of the nicest, most respectful, and caring people in the world train MMA….
Its a sport, and everyone involved know what they are in for and whats its all about.
You can be a Christian inside and outside of the ring. People who say you can are misinformed….
and http://www.fight4christmma.com is an awesome site changing more lives across the globe than you can imagine!!
Get up and do something positive in your community!
[...] of a New York Times story about the rise of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in evangelical churches via the Gospel Coalition blog. It’s a fascinating article that raises quite a few questions in my mind. Namely, whether or [...]
We have two professional MMA guys in our church.
They are bright and serious Christians with very good testimonies tot he saving and keeping power of Jesus. They are professional athletes and don’t fight out of hate or revenge.
As with any sport there are idiots involved, but there are many solid Christian guys who are manly enough to go into the ring and I take my hat off to them.
We did use one of the guys to teach our women some self defense. One of our purposes (other than enabling our gals to kick some butt should they have to) was to make connections/ friendships with ladies in the neighborhood.
Some might go to Starbucks hoping to meet someone and chat about the gospel, others might want to invite someone over to watch a ball game hoping for connections that will lead to gospel opportunities. In our case we thought – get a couple of ladies head locking each other and if God pleases there might be openings for the believer to tell her about the Savior.
Does this replace the centrality of the Word of God preached? Does this water down the importance of the corporate gathering of believers to worship in Spirit and in Truth? It doesn’t have to.