Welcome to the homepage of Dr. Rev. J. Micah Kovacs and Sickle & Vine Ministries! The goal of this website and ministry is to promote meaningful dialogue on modern martial arts and Christian themes. The Christian perspective will intentionally be non-Catholic and non-Eastern Orthodox, but it will be compared to a more "Protestant" stance. Topics will include a comparison between what is considered “Calvinism” and “Arminianism.” The history and influence of the Apostolic Fathers will also be explored.
In this context, early church history, its development, and its impact on current denominations will be examined. We will argue that although various “denominations” each hold a piece of the truth about our Savior Christ Jesus, none possess the full truth as revealed in scripture. A key point will be to highlight the difference between “eisegesis” and “exegesis” and how this distinction affects our understanding of biblical truth. While the focus is Christian, other spiritual traditions will also be considered.
Regarding martial arts, discussions will focus on what defines a “traditional” martial art versus a more modern form. The cultural context will be analyzed. An examination will be made of what is considered a “sport-based” practice versus a cultural art, and what is effective for genuine self-protection. The topic of “women's self-defense classes” will be addressed, emphasizing how this is often a weakly grounded marketing strategy. Concepts such as a combat mindset, willful intention, and situational awareness will be discussed. We will also evaluate various “ranking systems” and how they have become a major issue in modern martial arts. As the discussion develops and questions are answered, the scope will broaden to include these issues. The cult of personality in both religious and martial arts settings will also be a compelling topic for discussion.
In this context, early church history, its development, and its impact on current denominations will be examined. We will argue that while various “denominations” each hold a fragment of the truth about our Savior Christ Jesus, none possess the full truth as revealed in scripture. A key point will be to emphasize the distinction between “eisegesis” and “exegesis” and how this affects our understanding of biblical truth. Although the focus is Christian, exploring other spiritual traditions will also be considered.
Regarding martial arts, discussions will focus on what defines a “traditional” martial art versus a more modern one. The cultural context will be examined. An analysis of what is considered a “sport-based” practice versus a cultural art, and what is effective for genuine self-protection, will be conducted. The topic of “women's self-defense classes” will be explored, highlighting how this is often a weakly grounded marketing strategy. The concepts of a combat mindset or willful intention, along with situational awareness, will be discussed. We will also evaluate the various “ranking systems” and how they have become a major issue in modern martial arts. As the discussion progresses and questions are answered, the scope will expand to include the issues raised. The cult of personality in both religious and martial arts contexts will also be a compelling topic for discussion.