Yesterday's New York Times had a fascinating article about the popular video game Halo and the use of it in churches all across America. The title of the article is Thou Shalt Not Kill, Except in a Popular Video Game at Church. You can read the entire article by following this Link. After you read the story answer this question for me: How do we as youth pastors possibly look good in this story? I've played Halo with students on multiple occasions, but I've got to tell you, after reading this article, my stomach turned. What is it that we are saying to the world around us when we play? Do you think we look at all two-faced when we say that we value life and then play the game? Or, is it a different thing, since in Halo it's aliens? Maybe it's time that we re-examine that entire Christians are to be set apart deal and begin to take it serious in all parts of life.
Thanks to Jon Clauson for sending me the link.
5 comments:
Wow. Sometimes the truth is hard to hear, but it's always good. The truth is, luring kids into church by compromising the gospel is manipulation, and it's definitely not glorifying to God.
I've played Halo plenty of times, and there's a lot of grey area there. I'm not condemning anyone and I definitely don't want to come off as self-righteous, but that's about how I see it. When it comes down to it, I kinda doubt Jesus would pick up the controller.
The biggest thing that bothers me, though, is not Halo, it's this growing trend of media-based relationships. So much of our time in relationship is based off watching TV together, playing a video game together, watching a movie together. Are these really the type of quality common experiences that can tie friendships together?
Our basement TV is based off a projector. Before it's turned on and after it's turned off, there's literally nothing there but a blank wall. I'm afraid some of our relationships are becoming the same way. As long as there's some virtual entertainment involved, we can stay connected. Apart from that, there's nothing but a blank stare.
Whatever happened to glorifying God when we're in community? I think that's the real definition of fellowship.
Great comments, Matt. I think we've played Halo together a few times. Even planned one of those events. It is hard to read those words from the Times. Thanks for your passion for holiness.
Brian, after stumbling across your blog and this post, I couldn't help but comment. Here are three questions I am wrestling with.
Does Halo have the 'appearance of sin' or does it have the propensity to cause us to sin? (This could be different from person to person.) If it is just the appearance of sin people are concerned about, then we are falling into legalism. However, if we are embracing something sinful or promoting sin, then it is obvious that we need to be set apart.
Is Halo a great way to reach youth who would otherwise never set foot in a church or Bible study?
Should our aim be to go out as missionaries into youth culture and play Halo with them if our faith allows, rather than attracting them with this game under the umbrella of the church?
While this may be an important issue for us to consider, as it may compromise our witness, I believe there are far greater issues for the evangelical church to address. My heart breaks to see how the evangelical youth culture is giving voice to and/or embracing emergent theology as it abandons core doctrinal truths, embraces postmodern ideologies, and adulterates the gospel. While Halo may be somewhat gray, the denial of parts of the gospel is a black and white issue.
Hope things are going well for you all!
Scott (and Heather)
Thanks for thinking through and struggling with this. I think you are right in questioning the choice of using Halo. I would support a complete stop to using it as an 'evangelism' tool.
Thanks Guys. I appreciate the comments. Scott, I have to agree that it's not the biggest issue that we face (far from it!) It's just one that I think makes us look hypocritical to the masses. I blogged last week about the new book unChristian. This is just another one of those issues that I think makes 16-29 year olds look at the church and say, "huh?" We are to reach culture but not be of culture. There is a fine line there. The question on culture and the church is a classic one. How one answers this question, "Is the Gospel a friend or foe to culture?" says a lot about how they will respond to these types of issues. I believe that the Gospel is a friend to culture. But, I also believe that it doesn't engage in everything that culture does.
Scott, you raise great points on some of the other issues surrounding the church.
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