Friday, July 22, 2011

Macho Christianity

Here is a very interesting article by a former mixed martial arts fighter responding to the practice of churches using cage fighting events to boost their popularity among young men.

Matt Morin goes into depth in delineating his thoughts. While most comments on these kind of things are eminently ignorable, it is worth reading the first comment by Nick, and Matt's response to that response.

After that, it is too tricky to say "response to that response to that response..." so I won't push it.

(I especially am intrigued by Matt's reasoning in his response as to why he isn't participating in a debate.)

It is a lengthy article, and quite theologicky, so those of you used to my referrals to cats who quote Shakespeare or twitter length deep philosophies may wish to save this link for another time.

As to my thoughts on the whole issue of what Pastor Mark is putting forth as the ideal churched man?

Not fully formed.

But I will say that I've found the kingdom of G-d to be less homogeneous on the surface than one might think and some might desire.

And I imagine that the qualities G-d looks for are less superficial than outward appearances.

I find it ironic in this context that G-d himself said so specifically when talking about what would make David worthy of being anointed. (1 Samuel 16:7)

And I'm always suspicious when any church takes their definition of what it means to be a man of G-d or a woman of G-d wholesale from the world around them.

I'd like to think we have better sources.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

1 comment:

David Goulet said...

Fascinating article. I watch a lot of MMA and have wrestled (!) with how it fits in with my Christian ethos.

When you see fighters like George St Pierre you see how it brings out the best in him, on all levels, and how that rubs off on fans and other fighters.

But then you see a vicious, self-absorbed fighter and realize this sport is only going to bring out the worst in him.

So it's like any human endeavor: sports, war, marriage...there is no good or bad in the arena except that which we, the players, bring to it.