Comments on: "Jesus Didn't Tap"

By: Lou

Lou — Wed, 19 May 2010 22:50:45 +0000

I saw these guys on Night Line. One was crying on national TV because he let God down by loosing! How masculine is that?
Did you know that these guys do these fights in bars? What does the Bible say about fleeing sin?
The guy who started the so called churches left Memphis and Clarksville with no pastor to lead the people.

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:32:55 +0000

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.

By: Punching Someone’s Head in the Name of Christ | TOTALLY FREE CHRISTIAN DATING SITES

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:18 +0000

[...] 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 [...]

By: Adam

Adam — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:41:41 +0000

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!

By: Russ K.

Russ K. — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:22:58 +0000

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.

By: Russ K.

Russ K. — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:07:19 +0000

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

By: sam

sam — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:39:46 +0000

"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!

By: mac

mac — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:39:42 +0000

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.

By: sam

sam — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:59:04 +0000

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...

By: DK

DK — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 07:25:11 +0000

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/