by Nathan Fischer
Have you ever wanted to play God? Deep down inside, I think we all do, which is probably why so many people enjoy the games created by game designer Will Wright. He has dedicated his career to projects like SimCity and The Sims – projects that let the gamer play god in their own little world. Now with the game Spore, Will Wright’s latest release, the “god game” is taken to a whole new level.
A true desire to “play god” grows from the sin from the Fall in the Garden, when Eve and Adam desired to “be like God.” Yet we will save that sinful aspect of “playing God” for another article.
Spore is a fun and whacky game that has one very simple objective: evolve a creature from a microscopic organism to a sentient creature that is ready to fly in outer space. The genius of the game is that the player can create any kind of creature that he wants to create. Basically, the player is given a hunk of clay and the tools to develop that hunk of clay into anything. So from the insanely absurd to the mundanely normal, one can create whatever he likes.
From that perspective, the “evolution” aspect of the game is really quite perfect. Evolution is relegated to the realm of fiction – most of these creatures could not possibly exist. It’s just a game, and it’s very fun. There is nothing scientific about it, nor do the creators of Spore try to shove evolutionary ideals and principles down the player’s throat, as fact. Actually, the humorous, bizarre combinations for creatures only emphasize that evolution is a fictitious theory. In other words, the Christian will not have to worry about being on the defensive during this game. It’s just an enjoyable, relaxing game.
That is not to say, though, that there is nothing deeper to Spore. In fact, there is quite a lot to think about in game, first and foremost being the question of what makes us unique from the animals. In Spore, the great mark of your creature, what sets him above the rest of the world, is the fact that at some point or other, he will reach sentience. This is, in Spore, what truly makes your creature unique and special.
That should make us pause and consider for a moment: is this true? Unfortunately, for the world, what sets human beings apart from the animals, what makes us special, is our self-awareness – our sentience. Apart from this, we are no different from the rest of nature. In fact, some may go even so far as to say that in spite of this we are still no different from the animals around us.
However, as Christians, we know that this is not true. Scripture plainly tells us that we were created in the image of God. We did not evolve from a single cell organism. God placed Adam and Eve over the animals, and this authority remains with us today, even if made imperfect by the fall into sin.
However, even with this authority, there is something else even more unique, more special about mankind. It is not sentience, nor even the authority granted man by God in the Garden of Eden that ultimately defines us as who we are. What defines us is the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Christ’s death on the cross defines us. We are redeemed by God Himself. We are saved by the blood of the Lamb.
In Spore, you cannot climb from your computer chair into the game to become one of your creatures, nor can you sacrifice yourself for your cute little sentient beings that you mold throughout the game. That is precisely what God did for us, though – the Creator was born of the created, and He dwelt among us, and He died for us.
It’s good that in Spore there is no option to designate a creature to die for your race that you created. It would really only be a mockery of the true sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Spore it just meant to be an entertaining game. And it is in the Gospel, that good news of the freedom from sin, death, and the devil, that we can pick up a game like Spore and say, “I will play this, and have fun.” I know, it sounds silly, but it’s true! As Christians, all that we do is covered by the blood of Jesus. Every action of every day is cleansed by Him – even when we play video games.
So for those of you who like video games, enjoy Will Wright’s new creation. It’s both amusing and relaxing. And rest always in the assurance that your sins are forgiven, even when you’re sitting at your computer and molding a three legged, five eyed monstrosity that you name “Glarfinix.” Your Creator loves you, and He would do anything and everything for you. In fact, He already has. This is what defines you.
Nathan Fischer is a graduate of Concordia University – Wisconsin. Among other interests, he and his wife Katie enjoy watching movies, playing video games, and comparing and contrasting them with our faith. Nathan and Katie are also expecting their first child.
“Talent on loan from God.” Remember that quote? It’s from conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh. With “America’s Got Talent” (henceforth, AGT) wrapping up another big season there’s been a lot of talk about talent lately.
I’m a little disappointed with the Top 10 line up. With one exception they are ALL singers, which is going to make the show a bit boring. Half the fun of AGT is the differences in all the acts. Unfortunately, all the dance acts are gone, the most amazing fire baton twirling guy (3 at a time, while he does a flip, and he NEVER dropped one) is out. You can have the best voice in the world, but if you’re competing against other amazing singers, it’s hard to stand out. The top contenders will be opera-bound Neal E. Boyd, born-to-be-an-R&B-star Queen Emily, and the soulful Eli Mattson. My vote would go to Neal … except I finally caught the one non-singing act. They are “Nuttin’ But Stringz” a duo best described as hip-hop violinists. They’ve taken classical and meshed it with hip-hop flavor. Their level of talent on their instruments and raw energy onstage is untouchable. And in a field of 10 very talented people, I’ll go with unique every time.
I’m holding on your rope,
In utter despair, the young man has completely given up on this one-sided relationship. He has given, loved, adored, and naively returned to his girlfriend…while she basically ignored him, cheated on him, and treated him like dirt.
But God doesn’t leave you hanging “ten feet off the ground.” Indeed, He doesn’t leave you hanging – He hung “10 feet off the ground” for you! He willingly displayed His undying love as the Son of Man was lifted up, suffering and dying on His cross for you. When other relationships crumble, He is your Rock. When others “cheat” on you, He is always faithful. When you are broken and wounded, He alone brings healing.
In the Name of Jesus. Amen. I love games. I began playing the first Massive Multiplayer Roleplay game (MMROPG) Ultima Online, while in seminary. The game provided a virtual world, economy, monsters, spells, and orcs! After that I tried my hand at Everquest and “Evercrack 2”. What can I say? I just love games with orcs in them.
During a recent trip to the movie theater, I settled into my comfortable seat, ready for the film to begin. I breathed a sigh of contentment as the lights dimmed, the previews started, the smell of popcorn wafted to my nostrils…and the texting began. “Wait!” I thought to myself. “Why do small bluish cell phones seem to rival the big screen for the main source of light in this theater? Am I the only one in this theater that, after paying eight dollars for my ticket, actually wants to watch the movie!?!”
Even our relationship with God can be that way. We are so focused on the small things in front of us that we lose sight of the big picture. We worry about our finances, where our future is headed, or what people think of us. In our narrowed vision, only tuned in to the small bluish screen of our lives, we panic at the possibility that we might lose contact with anyone for even a small moment. We worry that we would miss some all-important news, or that we would never be able to regain that moment lost.
When I went to see Clone Wars, I was expecting a corny, slapstick mockery of Star Wars ala Kim Possible, The Fairly Oddparents, or any of the other animated kid’s shows popular today. What I discovered was a slightly corny, but entirely enthralling return to the glory days of the Star Wars franchise.
The film’s biggest surprise, however, is that this movie rescues Anakin as a character. By training a padawan as reckless as himself, he gains some responsibility and learns to care about someone other than himself. He can understand Ahsoka better than anyone else, and we can tell that he feels a responsibility for her behavior because of that.
Best. Season. Ever. There are a number of things that made Season 4 of Fox Network’s “So You Think You Can Dance” (henceforth, SYTYCD) the best season ever. Cat Deely solidified her status as THE best show host with her charm, wit, genuine caring, non-snarkiness (hello, Ryan Seacrest) and her willingness to wear Twitch’s grill, “spit and all”.
Much ado was made this season about “untrained” street dancers. What exactly IS an untrained dancer? I’d classify it as someone who has LITTLE or no formal training in technique and the foundations of dance, such as ballet. Joshua and Twitch both fit in this category. Yes, Joshua had SOME ballet lessons, but sporadically, and certainly not to the level of those who’ve had multiple classes in many genres over several years. (Having 10 years of ballet and tap, and 5 years of jazz, all before High School, I’d classify myself as a partially trained dancer; I have the basics, but never took it beyond the intermediate level). For both Joshua and Twitch, their main form of dance is street-style – hip-hop, popping, etc.
Another SYCYCD theme this year was physical strength. Both finalists were extremely strong, enabling them to do spectacular lifts and tricks that had previously been unattainable. This too brought some verses, such as Isaiah 40:31 to mind. “…But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow faint.”
Re-runs. It is summer, and that is the majority of prime-time television. Episodes of programs that aired earlier this year – or even in previous years – are the staple of summer TV.
Does that mean we just go on carelessly re-running our sins, since He re-runs His Gospel and forgiveness? Of course not! We abide in forgiveness, striving to live in faith toward God and in love toward neighbor. But for the many times we fall back into the re-runs of sin, we do not despair.
“You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain,” says Harvey Dent to Bruce Wayne at a party thrown for Gotham’s White Knight.
Some have talked about Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker character and whether or not the portrayal itself contributed to his death. Much of this has come out since the release of The Dark Knight and the realization of how twisted the character of the Joker is in this film. Bottom line is that Heath Ledger did an amazing job as the Joker, his role as that character will go down in infamy as perhaps one of the best portrayals of a villain ever. Whether or not the specific character of the Joker drove him to take a fatal cocktail of prescription medications no one will ever know.
I’m a huge Will Smith fan. I have been most of my life. I remember saving up quarters to buy an old black and white television at a neighbor’s garage sale just so I could watch Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reruns on UPN. My first album was the Fresh Prince and Jazzy Jeff’s Code Red, which probably pre-dates most who will read this article. Despite my mother’s insistence that I not see Six Degrees of Separation, I broke the fourth commandment and snuck to the theater to see Will Smith’s first movie. Later on I would collect all of his movies and albums. I even enjoyed and own Wild Wild West despite getting horrible reviews at the Box Office. I’m a huge Will Smith fan.
If you set aside the fact that Hancock is a vulgar drunk in the beginning of the movie we can begin to see a bit of a Christocentric character in Him. Our Lord’s “weakness” is His flesh, which He takes on not to get closer to God but to get closer to man. In His weakness He is the Father’s love, dying on a Cross for the forgiveness of our sins. There too, in His death we are raised from our own death, freed from our bondage and resurrected to a new life in Him. Still now, when our Lord comes close to us it’s not as a superhero – not in glory or majesty, but rather in lowly mortality, flesh and blood. Our Lord’s love is in His death, in taking and eating and taking and drinking His body and blood, given and shed for you. All this because the Lord and maker of all has begotten His Son in order to save us.
