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