A Theology of Video Games - Coming Soon
A deeper dive into an area of the Sanctified Imagination.
Like a whole lot of male-millennials, I‘ve played video games since right around the time I learned to read.
And like a whole lot of male-millennials who ended up following Jesus in college, I’ve often felt their may be a disconnect between the teachings of Jesus and blasting aliens in Halo… but I haven’t known what to do with it.
We humans (me included) have a terrible habit of refusing to think deeply about areas we know God wants to wrestle us into becoming more like Him. For some reasons, video games strike close to home for many of us.
But we have a responsibility to work through this thoughtfully. Our children and their children should not be asked to blaze a new trail because we refused to think critically and be humble before God.
This wrestling — the asking tough questions about how we’re formed by, and should interact with, video games— is worthy and important. It’s a way that we can create a solid, if modest, foundation of theological thought and holy living for those who follow us. It’s a responsibility, and a reasonable act of service to the Lord.
For the next few weeks, I’ll be dropping a new article every Wednesday that delves deep into all the questions surrounding video games and spiritual formation. Consider these to be part confessional and part guidebook — filled with lessons learned and questions I’m still asking.
We’ll talk about:
Navigating video games as a form of art.
The first steps to getting started in spiritual formation.
The line between hobby and coping mechanism.
Flirting with hypocrisy.
Trying to parent (both as a gamer yourself, or with children who game).
And a lot more.
This will be what Substack calls a “Section”, meaning it will have its own email list. If you received this email, you’re on the list. If you’d like to unsubscribe, feel free to do so.
But if you, a loved one of yours, or someone in your congregation, plays video games… please stick around.
First post drops this Wednesday.