Question [edited for length]: I have long been an avid reader of both Mr. Hunt’s books and your ...

Question [edited for length]: I have long been an avid reader of both Mr. Hunt’s books and your website, eagerly looking forward to each month’s issue. I was, however, taken aback by the May newsletter and the article about martial arts—not because I disagree with Mr. McMahon.  On the contrary, I agree with him regarding the dangers of syncretism. No, I was taken aback by the references to Bob Jones University’s “Judo Gentlemen” and “Champions for Christ Karate Team.” ... I did a little digging after reading your article, and it seems to me that the “Judo Gentlemen” was a campus organization back in the 1960s, and there is no mention on BJU’s current website of any martial arts organizations or karate teams. This is not to say that BJU never had any such organizations, as apparently they did, but I...can say with certainty that I have not observed [any of this] on campus. In this instance, I believe you fell a bit short on giving due diligence to fact checking, which reflects badly on any organization. I only bring this up because I love The Berean Call and the stand you take for orthodoxy, and such a godly endeavor is worthy of the highest order of scholarly integrity.

Response: We are always pleased when a reader, as a “Berean,” responds to what we write. That’s an encouragement based upon what we do. We want our readers to check out what we write and correct us if necessary. Regarding your concern about our “giving due diligence to fact checking,” that is something we major in, although we have missed the mark at times over the years. Below are some links that document what has been written specifically related to BJU.

Although we didn’t acknowledge that the “Judo Gentlemen” was a 1960s organization in the article, there wasn’t space to explain in detail why we mentioned it. That may come in a future Q&A. Nevertheless, it raises other questions: Why did Judo Gentlemen not continue at BJU? Lack of interest? I would guess that the reason for its ending was not because its spiritual aspects are at odds with the Scriptures. If that were the case, why then a later school endorsement of Champions for Christ Karate Team? My point is that those at BJU (and many other Christian organizations, churches, and individuals) don’t seem to understand the Eastern mystical basis for the martial arts. Are you aware of any statements or articles by BJU recognizing the biblical problems with the martial arts? There was no intent in our May article to condemn BJU, Campus Crusade, or others, but simply to exhort them to greater biblical discernment, i.e., to be Bereans.

The following links will provide further documentation:

http://goo.gl/v5G6zo  •  http://goo.gl/0StweP  •  https://goo.gl/HS7t68