Biblical Budo

"Be not afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses." Nehemiah 4:14

In the fifth century B.C., the Israelites were laboring to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, a work that they were commanded to do as they returned from Persian exile.  However, they faced opposition from local Persian officials.  Therefore, the Israelites set a guard on the incomplete wall, each man taking his spear or bow.  Nehemiah, a jew who had been appointed by Artaxerxes I as a governor, instructed those who had been called to arms to focus on God's power to deliver the warrior and to fight to defend family and land.

The ancient Ninja felt the same obligation and filial duty.  The Ninja fought to defend his family and clan.  In our training, we must develop the same warrior spirit.  True budo can only be derived from heavenly principals, as they are revealed to us by God.  First, the warrior is called to remember that the disposition of any battle is determined by the sovereignty of God and that it is God who grants victory through his terrible power.  The warrior trains and prepares for the day of battle, but victory is of the Lord.  Therefore, the warrior need have no fear of the enemy, whatever the outcome.  Second, the purity of budo can only be realized in the defense of family, friend, or land against the evildoer; indeed, this is a moral imperative.  True budo requires the warrior to seek the will of God, in faith, and to employ his power in the service of others.