Predestined to Fight

Phil Towne — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:38:28 -0800

Today I came across this article in the NY Times paper. The title "Flock is Now a Fight Team in some Ministries". The article lays out the details of several ministries oriented around the idea of fighting. They promote the idea that Jesus was a fighter, not a wimpy boy.

To be honest, I am a fan of MMA fighting. Perhaps it is a weakness of mine, a character flaw. But I grew up as a huge Pro Wrestling fan, and when I discovered this later in life as an adult, I instantly gravitated toward it.

However, I do have my concerns.

Is this sport pushing the boundaries too far? When I think about MMA fighting, and I think about the push to have a certain serial killer executed on Pay Per View a few years back, I wonder if we are becoming almost a Roman culture of death in the arena. How far is it before something like MMA gets pushed to a further limit? Will it happen? I certainly hope not. While I enjoy the technique and aggression of MMA, I often find myself wondering whether this is an indulgence of my flesh.

This brings me back to these ministries. I will not recount the article here, but I would love for you each to read it (linked above). What do you think of a ministry that has a "Fight Pastor" or dons clothing with the motto "Predestined to Fight"? Is this an appropriate presentation of the gospel? Is this what Christianity is about? Is this a good way to "reach out" to men?

I would love to hear your thoughts.

Phil

UFC

Predestined to Fight