Should Christians Watch Cage Fights? And Other Controversial Questions

[@JohnathenSweeney]

This was definitely not a title I'd thought I'd see, lol

[@mikewilliams6025]

I, on the other hand, wonder what took him so long.

[@kevingrace4831]

@@mikewilliams6025 lol

[@joshua_wherley]

Regarding 17:46: "If you believe what you like in the Gospels, and reject what you do not like, it is not the Gospel you believe, but yourself." - Augustine of Hippo

[@1313stjimmy]

As always St Augustine was a smart and insightful man. The problem with this statement is that the Bible, while undoubtably inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit, is still a collection of 66 books that were created at different times and different places and for different purposes and ultimately compiled a great deal of time after they were written. That necessarily means that there will be parts that on the surface don't agree with each other. I believe that it takes a lot of learning and serious scholarship to square these contradictions into a coherent and non-contradictory whole. The average Christian has a job and a family and hobbies outside of learning Koine Greek and Hebrew in the original languages. All that long and windy prologue is to say that this gets to the problem I had with the original question. It isn't so much that we pick and choose what to believe as Christians often choose which parts of Bible to emphasize and which to pay less mind to. A good example is feeding the hungry vs missioning. Both caring for the poor and spreading the gospel are important, but you can decide what to put your emphasis on. Or take the dress and conduct codes. Some churches place a very big emphasis and importance on how members dress and others don't much care outside of asking parishioners to please shower and put on a clean shirt before mass.

[@chris3325]

This is such a great channel. Not only do you do in my opinion the most level headed and informed videos on the nuances of Christian demoninations. But also i think there is a lot of value in the quizzes. By presenting these questions out of context i think you get some really honest and interesting results. Requiring the people to respond to the statement given and avoiding biases toward the source.

[@jeffreydavis9757]

In many of these questions I look for the "I disagree with the premise of the question" option, but such an option does not exist.

[@thatsjohn3938]

Hello from Canada. Do a talk on all the books that did not make the final cut of your Bible.

[@evancombs5159]

Unfortunately, KZbin limits the number of answers.

[@pixieburton3131]

I really enjoy these reviews.

[@andresmartinezramos7513]

Best part of the channel

[@mikewilliams6025]

Congrats on making the cut!

[@hightide1500]

I really enjoy watching the UFC, but let’s be honest: calling fighting wholesome family entertainment can be a bit of an overstatement. It’s definitely an intense spectacle that goes beyond just friendly competition; it’s raw and gritty and definitely rated for male adults.

[@charlespaugh]

At the Second Lateran Council in 1139, under the leadership of Pope Innocent II, the Roman Catholic Church set policy that anyone who dies while participating in combat or life threatening sports would be denied a church burial. This policy was again reiterated at the Fourth Lateran Council in 1215. Pope Benedict XIV continued to emphasize the policy in 1752 and added excommunication to those who participate in similar sports. The policy arose from Christian’s participating in jousting, fighting, and dueling. While rarely enforced today, the policy still stands in the church.

[@Jim-Mc]

A lot of Catholic schools have football teams and accidents could (and have) happened during sport, and boxing has always been popular among Catholics, so this surprises me. Surely this was to prevent some kind of excessive risk taking that was going on at the time?

[@charlespaugh]

@ Your observation is astute. It was in response to jousting, arena fighting, and dueling.

[@CC-iu7sq]

Good thing mma isn’t life threatening.

[@Silvercrypto-xk4zy]

The context on the unbelieving friends one definitely changed my opinion. At first I disagreed, but knowing the context is specific to new believers I see a lot of value in this. These videos are a great lesson in not taking things out of context

[@jackiefields1607]

I’m glad you tackle difficult questions.

[@ZuerstJesus]

Thank you for this video! I like discussions about christian topics and I like to read (and listen to) different opinions.

[@TurtleMarcus]

Not me immediately running to the community tab to answer all poll questions I missed

[@dawnellafreeman4860]

Wow that's a good idea .. PAUSE.... 😂😂

[@SuperTommox]

As a long time fan and practitioner of fighting sports, I'm always tought that fighint wasn't a sin. This was before I found out about CTE. Also, there have been some fighters who expressed their dislike for KOing people. At this point, I really don't know anymore.

[@jpanda79]

I think sportsmanship is key. Injuries can happen and we can try to limit the damage but unsportsmanlike conduct is definitely sinful

[@abrandenburg10]

As someone who also enjoys boxing, anytime I've gone into the gym I've understood that this is my decision and there are risks in any combat sport. Therefore if someone hurts me or if I hurt them it's not a sin since this is what we signed up for. Of course as long as all rules of the sport are followed

[@thepatriarchy819]

May God bless us all always and forever. Amen.

[@RealCaptainAwesome]

I like the new setup and camera. Keep up the good work

[@Silvercrypto-xk4zy]

The context on the unbelieving friends on definitely changed my opinion. At first I disagreed, but knowing the context is specific to new believers I see a lot of value in this. These videos are a great lesson in not taking things out of context

[@SAbowser]

Would love to see more questions like the last one that I've seen many Christians divided on. For example, can Christians watch/play pirated media? And should Christians avoid watching media with profanity and depictions of sexuality (things like Game of Thrones)?

[@mpaul2732]

Also how this relates forms of media like video games (particularly violent ones) that require more active participation

[@iamcertifiable2306]

As with any survey or poll, wording it key. If you asked people if cage fighting was an acceptable form or entertainment, the majority would probably say no but not to the degree you feel it would be in the video. However, if you change the wording of the question to ask if people felt mixed martial arts (MMA) is an acceptable form or entertainment the numbers would be much different and the majority would probably say yes. I might be biased because I am a fan of MMA, but the days of "cage fighting" that John McCain fought against are over. The sport today is highly regulated in 46 of the 50 states and use and the majority of those that promote or sanction these events follow a Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts.

[@Ms666slayer]

The thing is i believe that the vast majority of people if you told them about "Cage Fighting" they will immediately think of MMA or stuff like WWE, not on the old cage fights that were just illegal gambling spots with virtually 0 rules.

[@b-r-a-i-n-r-o-t]

false

[@siradamthebombdiggity]

Didn't expect to see the cult of my childhood right off the bat, until I read that first agree/disagree statement. At that point, I knew. Tons of the splinter groups that still exist today will speak of this.

[@paulmiller7775]

I absolutely loved this episode! It also gave me an opportunity to pause and consider your channel as a whole, I've been with you for the majority of your time online and have watched a majority of your videos. You have a tremendous ministry in that the Body of Christ is able to know the other members with greater clarity and think critically about each individual's own positions. I've seen many great civil and reasoned "debates" in the comments (unfortunately also some nasty personal ones as well) which only serves to sharpen iron among the brothers. It may be counter-intuitive but the more we can, in good faith, consider other views and interpretations of theological matters, we may in time see that this will create a stronger bond of unity (Biblical unity not worldly unity) among the brethren rather than it becoming more divisive. If we consider well-reasoned and respectful views that are different than our own, we can still continue to disagree but be more charitable with our brothers and sisters in Christ instead of continuing to vilify and rail on them with straw-man arguments. And most importantly, may it drive us more fervently into the only true authority and that is to search and examine God's Word. May God bless you Josh in this mission that the Lord Jesus Christ as sent you on.

[@ReadyToHarvest]

Thank you, Paul! I'm glad to see you've been here for a long while and still watching. I too want people to come away from interacting with these videos and be better off for it, not worse. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@dondaugherty3138]

On the "long hair, short hair" statement: Troy W. Martin did a very interesting article for JBL, 123/1 (2004) pgs. 73-84. Paul's Argument from Nature for the Veil in 1 Corintians 11:13-15: A Testicle Instead of a Head Covering. If you can find it, it's worth the read. He talks, among other things, about how hair was considered part of the genitalia in Paul's time.How it was considered hollow and acted like a vacuum. Therfore, long hair on a man would have kept semen from flowing, while long hair on a woman would have helped it flow to the egg.

[@JohnMorris604]

I watch martial arts but I find it repulsive that people watch movies and support the film and television industry.

[@franz-georgleopold-pagel3018]

Thank you so much Professor Josh! I am really enjoying your videos, even I am (probably) way outside your core-viewers. Are you going to comment on the Anglican Church / Community? Please do. Maybe their is a new denomination formung out of liberal/moderat Catholics, Old-Catholics, Episcopals and Methodists?

[@akaJackLugar]

Any sport that does not offend the Trinity is permissable imo. If you think boxing/MMA fights dishonor God than same could be said with football for the latter is a violent sport.

[@williamtyson3401]

I know its long past the poll question but in regards to follwing the bible 100% i think you make a good point about polling every Christian that ever lived. Most would say yes, and then they'd have wildely different interpretations of things like historicity. I think, at least in a Christian sense of following the Bible we need to accept the things about Christ as true and look at the rest of the Bible in good faith and follow what it says while taking our growing understanding of ancient cultures into account.

[@jpanda79]

12:35 there is always a way to not sin. Since sin is opposite to God's will, following God's will is acting without sin. We may not know the way to follow God's will in the moment so it may seem like choosing between multiple sins

[@BirdDogey1]

We lack the capacity not to sin even when we try our hardest.

[@DJScootagroov]

If you ask St.Augustine the answer to the title question is a resounding no. Though I think it was Father Mike Shmit or Trent horn who said a Christian could enjoy the UFC as a display of skill and athleticism. But an event like slap fights where two contestants stand across from each other and slap each other in tern until one passes out would not be acceptable because there is no skill or athleticism, it’s just violence.

[@ceramictraumaplate0]

I have no idea how I noticed this, but you have a dead pixel on your camera. Top middle of the left bookshelf.

[@commanderchair]

Gavin Ortlund did a video on Christians watching gladiatorial fights vs how we view TV/movies today that was convicting for me.

[@V4nillakid]

I know St. Paul references shadow boxing (I think in Corinthians) which is pretty interesting

[@midnightwatchman1]

Once it has rules and regulations that protect the health and long-term wellbeing of the fighters

[@abaddon2148]

Which is kind of impossible because of the inherent violent nature of the sport.

[@agraplava1678]

This title is HILARIOUS!! 🤣🤣

[@xerk2945]

Okay, but the thumb nail is hilarious. 😂

[@IncredibleMD]

Ramsey Dewey is a former cage fighter who currently teaches MMA in China, and a very devout Mormon, who makes videos on both topics. He actually has his own video about Christians and cagefighting, from the perspective of someone who has done both.

[@fiddlerontheroof4099]

I was actually *shocked* to see the percent agreement with the statement about selectively following the Bible. The second I read that passage I immediately thought "theological liberalism". Joshua makes a great point, though, about how bias and context can really impact one's thinking about such statements!

[@SuperSpieth]

It is very interesting the answers you got on those polls! I myself probably won’t wanna watch a cage fight. I went to like wrestling at church a few times because they were given a positive message. I do honestly think that everybody will be given a chance to receive Jesus somewhere or another, but that doesn’t mean that they won’t get punished if they reject that offer! People that were more ignorant I think will get a lesser punishment, but those that were told, and still refuse, will be punished way more severely! What is your personal opinion?

[@gazoontight]

Great video and great discussion.

[@KennethKlein-lc2mk]

On Follow the Bible: I kinda like it when I come upon something I don't agree with, knowing it's me that has to change. It helps a little in checking my own desire to twist the Scripture, forcing it to my, or my cultures, default.

[@JDsVarietyChannel]

I enjoy pondering closely contested points of view among the proclaiming Christian world, so this was a particularly interesting upload for me, especially as one who frequently interacts with your polls. You have a pretty decent sample size too. The cage fighting and lesser evil questions caused me some concern. I think secularism is currently influencing Christianity more than Christianity is influencing secularism (from a zoomed out perspective in the west) . And hmmm, do you really think that among conservatives the cage fighting question would have support as little as 10%? Many conservatives I have talked to enjoy striking sports and find no moral issue with them. But when I say that, I now realize I'm talking about men specifically. Would be interesting to see that poll question again based on gender. Many years ago I noticed a trend (or did I?) that the west was returning to the colosseum mindset. People want to be entertained. Stick an event inside a circle/square and many will watch just about anything. American football is an interesting bridge for analysis in my opinion, because it's a deliberate contact sport, but without intentional striking with the limbs. Maybe football culture (slowly moving toward violence) has been a bridge to striking sports? The frog in boiling water? Would love to hear some discussion on my comments. :)

[@ButlerianG-Haddinun]

you write well

[@abrandenburg10]

Tbh combat sports have existed way longer than football

[@JDsVarietyChannel]

@@abrandenburg10 Certainly. I'm talking about current western culture and it's affect on Christianity. Striking sports and American football have been booming in popularity for some time.

[@OneHighwayWalker]

On the first question, the church statement starts with a false premise, i.e., most people have not heard the gospel. The Bible refutes this, saying that creation itself speaks, and no one has an excuse. The vast majority of people have heard because believers have always been present. Also, the movie "The End of the Spear" tells of an Amazon tribe where even those members had an understanding of the spiritual. Don't underestimate God.

[@boogerie]

Curious that so many would agree with the first statement as it implies a post-mortem opportunity to repent

[@rhosymedra6628]

these are always really interesting!

[@MidwestArtMan]

Hair length is not a moral decision. There is no right or wrong, just what you prefer.

[@SPQR2755]

Calvinists vs Arminians in a cage. Someone should have Grok make an AI picture for that.

[@Hark1677]

The Calvinists should elect Voddie Baucham to the ring. No pun intended

[@aliengoboom-t9k]

we need AI luther vs pope

[@TheJimNicholson]

We Calvinists have the advantage, seeing as how many of us have already gone through a cage-phase.

[@agraplava1678]

I think this is Babylon Bee material . 🤣🤣

[@MAMoreno]

Paul had no issues about using boxing as a metaphor, so . . .

[@TheFansOfFiction]

The choosing between sins question may not always be clear. For example, taking the life of another person is a sin, because all life belongs to God. However, if God orders you to kill in a war, not doing so is a sin, because you are disobeying God. Furthermore, taking that life would not be a sin, because God is giving you the task of taking it, so you are not destroying something that belongs to God without permission. So it might seems like choosing between two sins, but one of those options is not a sin in that case. We will never be asked to choose between two sins, but we may very well be put in positions where it is difficult to discern which choices are sinful.

[@MidwestArtMan]

I don't see a problem with watching UFC or similar things because they try to do the competitions as safely as possible. An interesting thing that people have suggested, I think even Joe Rogan has, is that they should get rid of the gloves and fight bare-knuckle. It's likely safer in the long run because they wouldn't be able to punch as hard without getting themselves injured, thus it would lead to fewer concussions. However, they'd be more likely to get facial lacerations that way, making the fights more bloody and appear far more violent.

[@timothypeterson4781]

Yeah, and for the second one I'd say that I agree with the intended spirit of the statement, though not the literal statement.

[@jimbobjones5972]

The first step in following the Bible has to do with following the Church itself and its Apostolic leadership. This according to Jesus. "What you bind on Earth shall be bound in heaven and what you loose on Earth shall be loosed in heaven."

[@feltonite]

4:22 I don't think I follow what SpaceButler010 is saying.

[@stevenbergstrom4360]

You could say there is precedence…the Christian watched the Roman spectacles, but the did it from the arena floor

[@nickolaslynn]

Calling it "cage fighting" makes it sound like Mad Max two men enter one man leave type stuff. Less people would be opposed to it if you called it mixed martial arts. The same type of fighting can be done in a boxing ring. The "cage" isn't a necessary component.

[@jimbobjones5972]

God's justice demands it? I think God's LOVE demands it.

[@Metal_Auditor]

I don’t believe anyone actually follows the Bible 100%, but I believe this because of man’s imperfection and our fallibility in interpreting the Bible correctly. I don’t believe everyone picks and chooses which parts to believe. When you read full-Bible commentaries like the classic Henry, Poole, and Gill, or a modern one by a believing scholar, you find them interpreting every passage, and they never say anything like “we should disregard this” or “I don’t believe this is true.” So, they’re not picking and choosing, although their interpretations may be wrong at various places.

[@michaelgreen1515]

I think the mix agree/disagee could be confusing because one comment could be like 49% agree 0.5% agree more than disagree 48% disagree more than agree and 2.5% disagree and that skew won't come across in the results

[@HenryLeslieGraham]

well since cages cannot fight due to them being inanimate objects. one does not need to raise a christian objection to cage fights. it is an impossibility (Dwight Schrute noises)

[@Lynn-r8h]

Romans 1: 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

[@RonJohn63]

2:42 Romans 2:14-15 indicate that Gentiles who never hear the Word of God can go to Heaven.

[@Hark1677]

Have you heard the Word of God? Are you going to Heaven?

[@RonJohn63]

@@Hark1677 (1) Thousands of times. (2) I see no evidence that Heaven exists.

[@Hark1677]

@@RonJohn63The evidence is in the Bible which you read thousands of times. The problem is you haven’t been born again.

[@RonJohn63]

@@Hark1677 "some books written 2000 years ago told me so" would get you laughed out of a court of law. _EVIDENCE_ is required.

[@Hark1677]

@@RonJohn63Yes because nothing immaterial can have EVIDENCE… There goes emotions, morals, etc. Why are people going to jail for immoral acts? There is no moral objective. All they are doing is breaking a law “written down by men along time ago.”

[@jrsotr271]

Provide a series of videos about Judaism please. THANKS!

[@theresolutemind9538]

Should Christians engage in cage fights? 🤣 Just in time for the coming Gladiator II movie? Do these questions juice KZbin revenues?

[@gregorylatta8159]

Should Christians watch golf???

[@Jim-Mc]

Golf was developed as sword practice so according to some people I suppose not😅

[@sird2333]

If they want to be bored

[@jimbobjones5972]

Cage fighting? Why? Why are you, Christian or otherwise, into it?

[@BenjaminKeller]

Feels to me like people who like MMA are stuck in middle school

[@reginahay5211]

I personally do not watch violent games of any kind or movies with an excess of bad language. My principle is simple: garbage in, garbage out. Americans have grown coarse and rough. It is a pity to see-very much like the slow road to degradation of the Romans. I realize my opinion is my own.

[@reginahay5211]

Oh and I find your poll questions thought provoking and sometimes downright fun. I learn a lot about my own foibles and wishy-washy ideas. Thanks for such a great channel. You are doing a huge service.

[@sird2333]

No ma’am, your opinion is based upon the Bible. Matthew 6:22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

[@marshalldarcy7423]

Win/lose is not what the "way" is about for one can not "win" God for it is always a gift. Win/Lose is about the material world and not the spiritual Christian "Way".

[@BookofAnswersYT]

Should? No. Can? Yes.

[@jeffjarboe3634]

I thought it was very obvious that the Steven Ohnsman question was about Bible inerrancy. And was not two questions in one poll I do not believe inerrancy

[@Dayda-7]

WHY NOT😮😊

[@lavieestlenfer]

I love the people who were more outraged by the female body on display during breaks than the equally naked men and women violently attacking each other during the match.

[@midnightwatchman1]

clothing requirements are not absolute in Christianity it base on what is socially acceptable. it is ok to wear beach clothes at the beach or the public pools but not at church or in the office.

[@TheNabOwnzz]

​@@midnightwatchman1It's not ok at the beach either. You're trying to relativize an absolute.

[@crw662]

@@midnightwatchman1 I would argue that modesty is a necessity everywhere.

[@lavieestlenfer]

👆 Look at these guys proving the point..

[@sird2333]

Women don’t need to be fighting anyway. However, it does demonstrate the falsehood of the “fairer sex” myth.

[@BrendaBoykin-qz5dj]

🌹🌟🔥🌟🌹

[@TheJimNicholson]

While we're at it, should Christians watch KZbin?

[@BenjaminKeller]

Only this channel, the rest is unacceptable.

[@jhoughjr1]

Cage fights of christ when?

[@coleymoke6709]

The answer to your question is, "No."

[@PropheticPlaces-rm9lp]

No False Doctrine Church Fights Are More Relevant. Day*Star Goes Death+Star.

[@Jim-Mc]

Waitaminute! You think historical Christians who mostly lived among unimaginable actual violence would oppose two men playing at fighting, of their own will,with strict safety rules, and hugging at the end?

[@SuperSpieth]

You can have a few unbelievers as friends, because Jesus did too, but don’t get too buddy-buddy with them. Jesus still had a small circle of His closet friends to keep His character in check. We should too if we want to follow His example and we shouldn’t do something that we disagree with or we think we corrupt our character, we should tell people. We sometimes have to behave differently with some people than we would with another like Paul did to be a man for everybody, but boundaries should be set for ourselves. What do you think?

[@soaringparakeet]

I have a major issue with the "it's a you problem" response. Yes, you are responsible for your actions, but we are also warned of causing others to stumble. I also don't believe intent changes the medium of an object. Calling it art doesn't make it different than adult content and that "lust after a woman" is used out of context. If you want to see a naked/scantly clad woman you are lusting by default. You can tell yourself "I'm just admiring the art of the human form" but you're simply lying to yourself.

[@Tertiusterz]

Although I find cage fighting entertaining, it is clear to me that this kind of sport is very unchristian, barbaric and evil. One should neither do nor watch it.

[@DanSme1]

Was this some poll you gave? Context needed, what's a "controversial question?"

[@sird2333]

No. Violence is to be abhorred. There’s a “Christian Boxing Academy” a town over from me. Way to spread the message of Christ’s love and redemption! By punching another guy in the face! Disgusting.

[@kwpctek9190]

Cage Fights? Yikes! I'd rather watch Warren McGrew decimate James White in something with an apt title "Does Calvinism Teach Babies Are Elected For Hell?" Far more exciting stuff watching Gnostic Augustinian determinism get tossed to the street (where it belongs).

[@Hark1677]

Do you think Calvinists are brothers in Christ? If you do, why don’t you show some charity in Theological differences?

[@SeaJay_Oceans]

Should Christians Watch Cage Fights? No, all Christians should TRAIN for cage fights and get in a lot of Range Time. The idea to Win is to not become a Martyr for your beliefs... Paraphrasing what General Patton said, make the other team's players return to their deities, first.

[@theresolutemind9538]

I would encourage you to stick to explaining denominations, rather than seeming to generate click bait, unless you wish to explain (as an Independent Baptist) Paul’s exposition in Colossians 2:20-23.

[@ButlerianG-Haddinun]

Barnabas que?