Faith Fighters For Christ

Christian Martial Arts Ministry

To Bow or not to Bow?

Between the time with our previous Sensei and time our own school, we have faced the dilemma of whether or not to bow to instructors, each other, the room, and so on. But each time we have reviewed the concept of courtesy bowing, it has been apparent to us that a simple courtesy bow helps keep respect in the training hall. We do not do zazen bow, however. A simple courtesy bow to each other or between instructor and student reinforces mutual respect

The type of bow we are referring to is either with the hands at the side (while standing at attention), the two fist forward, or the warrior-scholar hand position. There may be others that we are not aware of. When arrogance creeps into a student, he or she has a very difficult time showing courtesy to an instructor or other students. By insisting on a mutual courtesy bow with someone having this problem, the arrogance dies down more quickly. But what we have seen with traditional non-Christian schools is that the bowing to the instructor first (also zazen bowing at line-up) breeds arrogance as students climb up the belt ranking system. This is then reinforced by having lower belts cater to the higher belts and everyone scampering at the whim of the instructor or grandmaster.

The main issue we seem to need to understand is whether we are worshipping, or venerating, the instructor or simply showing respect for the level of his/her authority, expertise, and experience in the school. Since the instructor has been called to this professional ministry and makes the decision whether or not to promote students, there is no place for arrogance on the students’ part. Respect for the instructor helps keep the physical challenges down in this aggressive, physical sport and defense system.

Female instructors in particular are more likely to be challenged physically and in regard to their authority by teen and adult male students (particularly upper belts) than the male instructors. It is important to keep formal courtesy procedures that we as Christians can live with. It is especially important, when there is more then one instructor, that the example is kept among the instructors for the students.

Looking into Scripture, we are told to worship only God who is holy, Creator of all things. We are not to worship idols or false gods (Deut. 5:9; Psalm 95:6; Isaiah 44:19; 45:23; Romans 14:11). The verses referring to things made with man’s hands is why we, ourselves, don’t bow to pictures, the training hall, or the ring at tournament. No instructor or grandmaster is deserving of reverence or worship, either. Only God, Father and Son and Holy Spirit, is worthy of our worship.

The respect we are referring to according to Webster’s definition is to regard highly, to esteem; giving particular attention to, consideration; the quality or state of being esteemed, honor (Webster"s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary, © 1976). We are to show proper respect to everyone (I Peter 2:17). We are to submit to those in authority over us (I Cor. 16:16 and I Thes. 5:12-13). Also, we are to esteem others better than ourselves, not doing anything out of selfishness or conceit (Phil. 2:3). There is to be respect shown to others and those in authority over us. In martial arts, we feel that courtesy bowing is the proper respect to be shown.

Leaders are also to be respectable. Jesus said that leaders are to first to become servants. (See Mark 10:41-45 and John 13:1-17). Leaders are to be humble before God since God is the one who gives authority and power (Deut. 8:18-19 and Daniel 2:20-23). We, as instructors, are also spiritual leaders (yes, we are, whether we feel like it or not!). By having a servant’s heart and taking the lead to that that which God has called us, we prepare others for future Christian leadership. Courtesy bowing will not become a problem for the leader who has this servant-leader attitude.

By showing mutual respect and honor for each other with courtesy bowing, we set a tone of appropriate respect as long as we stay grounded in Christ, humbling ourselves before Him.

copyrighted 1998 Donald Engelhardt and Charlaine Engelhardt all rights reserved