Pokémon Go has done something few electronic games have done: it gets users on the move. Nintendo has merged the real world with the virtual. Users, through the window of their portable gaming device, are out and about hunting for Pokémons, short for pocket monsters. In 1996 Nintendo introduced the Pokémon phenomena in Japan. In 20 years Pokémon has indelibly stamped its impression on the gaming universe. Originally there were 151 of the pocket monsters to find. Today there are 718. The Pokémon home page estimates there are over 20 million daily users of Pokémon Go. There is a popular Pokémon TV cartoon show which has over 800 episodes and counting. Over 21.5 Billion Pokémon Trading Cards have been sold […]
Gaming
As we conclude this series on gaming, there is one more question that remains: Can Christians engage in gaming with a good conscience? The answer, I believe, is yes, given a significant qualifier: This pursuit must be done with biblical wisdom. Wisdom is the skill that comes from a deep passionate love of God’s truth. You may have been born with intelligence, precocity, and a good memory, but with regard to wisdom, you were born a fool. Wisdom is a skill that may only be acquired through great energy and faith. Protection from the allure of gaming comes from a vigorous pursuit of wisdom. Take a moment to read Proverbs 1:30-2:6. 30 since they would not accept my advice […]
Here is brief summary of the posts on gaming to date. There are at least two defining biblical principles that can be applied to gaming: 1. Gaming must not detract from a biblically productive life. 2. Gaming, if it is to be done, must proceed from faith. Proverbs 12:11 demonstrates that electronic gaming can definitely lead to a lack of productivity. ("11 He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment." niv) The next issue, then, is to understand what drives the desire for gaming. This was examined in the post on gaming and pursuit. Finally, in the last post, we began to look at how to offer a biblical alternative. We’ll pick […]
Creation. Fall. Redemption. These are the great themes of humanity. No, you won’t see these three themes given much status by AP, CNN, USA Today, Fox News or for that matter, Rush Limbaugh. These are however, God’s themes. Creation speaks of the majestic plan and purpose of God for planet Earth. Then came the fall and all of mankind was plunged into darkness and pursuit of the glory of self rather than the glory of God. The stunning creature that was man, the creature that Psalm 8 speaks of, began to use his powerful attributes in self-worship. What has followed in human history has not been pretty. But, God in his mercy did not leave man in futile, evil darkness. […]
In the last post on gaming we looked at the difference between the pursuit of productivity and the pursuit of fantasy. The operative word here is pursuit. Proverbs 12:11 contrasts someone who productively works his land with someone who chases or pursues empty fantasies. Both individuals are in active pursuit of a goal. Sometimes the one chasing fantasies becomes obsessed with his pursuit, even though it is meaningless. This is true of hard-core gamers. Everything else in life becomes secondary—the game is the thing. While your children may not be at the level of the seriously hard-core, it is not difficult to see when the games pull them toward obsession. You may think to yourself, what is the big deal, […]
He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment. Proverbs 12:11 Let's look first at how gaming can detract from a productive life. As we do, consider this: to the extent that gaming detracts from or lessens being productive, to that extent it must be avoided. Tremper Longman’s commentary on this Proverb captures the essence of the problem. Longman translates the phrase "…he who chases fantasies lacks judgment." with the phrase "…he who pursues emptiness lacks heart." …The emphasis here is not so much on lack of exertion, but rather that energy is misdirected.He goes on to say that what is pursued in this situation lacks substance. (Longman, 274) In his […]
He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment. Proverbs 12:11 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. Romans 14:23 Electronic gaming is another one of those activities that is not mentioned by name in the Bible. Such activities often cause problems for parents and children. We tend to want to find a verse somewhere that gives a thumbs up or down to our activities. We think it would be nice if Proverbs 35:10 said: It is okay to do gaming, but no more than 30 minutes a week, else you will be in […]