By Brandon Lehman

Imagine, if you will, 4 men sitting in a room.  Each has a purpose and goal of helping their fellow man succeed against the deceiver that would seek to kill and destroy.  Each gives their undivided attention to the task at hand.  Each chimes in with advice to help the others with things they've learned through their personal struggles and victories.  Each steps up to help where another has fallen.  All are vocal about their emotions.  In the center, the subject of their focus spouts words like Guilty, Regret, Charity, Truth, Covenant, and Prophet.  Are these men in a deep conversation dealing with important, life-refining issues? No. These guys are playing Halo 3 on Legendary.

The gaming community has exploded from its humble beginnings of small gatherings of local, like-minded geeks to a global juggernaut capable of (as with the release of Halo 3 according to MSN news) logging over 40 MILLION hours in a single week which equals over 4600 years of continuous game play.  That's a lot of interaction.  It took my roommate and me about five hours to play the campaign start to finish.

his unprecedented level of interactivity is made possible through Xbox Live - Microsoft's internet based connection system that is currently running strong with over eight million members.

Thanks to games like Halo and W.O.W. (World of WarCraft - see sidebar below) we gaming nerds are no longer alone, isolated perhaps (as most interactions are through a headset,) but never alone.  This, I think, is the biggest draw of today's gaming culture.  Whether or not you are any good at gaming, now there are people to talk with, help you, teach you, ridicule, demean, and belittle you, every hour of every day with the push of a button.

Curses! 

Though the community is massive and represents many, many cultures and backgrounds, this does not mean that all these people are very pleasant. I have personally had countless experiences in which someone is being rude, crass, spiteful, or willingly and forcefully belligerent.  Thank God for the MUTE option!  Else the abundance of dim-wits who find it necessary to swear profusely (and in most cases badly) just because they can would have long driven me from gaming.

Any community is inexorably an expression of it’s members.  The attitude of the community is in the attitude of the individual.  This is a worldly (I hate the word secular) community and behaves as such.  We are called to be a light in the darkness, or as Paul says, "All things to all men that by All Possible Means, some might be saved." (1 Cor 9:22)  It's about finding your niche and owning it, being King of your realm and submitting only to the King of kings.  Through Him we are More than Conquerors, but that doesn’t mean we'll have a General's rank on Matchmaking.

SIDEBAR'D: The Console Wars

       There are three major players in today's game-console wars.  They are, respectively, the Microsoft X-Box 360, the Sony Playstation 3, and the Nintendo Wii (pronounced wee).  Here is a quick pro/con list.

X-Box 360 - Microsoft

Overview - All around a good system.  Prices ranging from apx $280-$450 depending on which version you want make it generally affordable with some penny-pinching here and there.  While games tend to be more on the mature side, it is possible to find games suitable for any age.

Community - Connection with other gamers is one of the focuses of this system, it's built to get you involved.  While waiting in line for this system, I noticed a strong camaraderie between these complete strangers.  They seemed to be both competitive and generally nice people at the same time.  There was a real 'good ol' boys' vibe that I appreciated as people traded Gamer Tags (aka, screen names) in order to play together.

PS3 - Sony

Overview - The computing powerhouse.  I would suggest this system only for the hardcore gamer, or Media nut, as it is the most affordable Blu-Ray player on the market.  But weighing in at a hefty $400 for the Basic system, well out of the average person's price range.  Limited and slow-growing game library aimed more for mature audiences.

Community - Price makes this out of reach for the mass public, thus the community involved still generally consists of the Elitists who look down on all things not Sony.  The line was very rude and did not cooperate with store management well.  There was no chatting other than between friends who got in line together.

Wii - Nintendo

Overview - The best system I've ever played!  This is not only a great deal at $250, but is fun for the entire family.  My grandparents even enjoy playing.  Games tend to be simple and some would say childish, but when you're having this much fun, who cares?  Controls are intuitive and can really make you sweat.  Stretching before and after playing is advised.

Community - Not many games are interactive online yet, but what a great reason for a house party!  I did not get a chance to wait in line for this one, but the fact that it is still hard to come by says that it appeals to a much larger audience than the other two systems.  Everyone I've talked to who has played one loves it.  Any group of people can have fun with this one.

Keeping Your Cool

I am not advocating buying an Xbox or PS3 or Wii (although the latter would be highly recommended!) just to be part of community, but I am pressing two points:  First and foremost, be Christ-like in your community.  

Personally, I find it hard not to swear when I get seriously pwnd online.  In response, I take a nice long break to cool down.  Remember who you represent - whether other people can identify you or not.  I follow Christ, not because people can see me, but because I am accountable for my actions to Him who sees all.  Try to find other Christians to party up with and, win or lose, do so respectably.

Second, know your diet.  Garbage in, garbage out.  There is a very strong anti-Christian message in Halo that has become quite prevalent in the entertainment media as a whole (ie. The Matrix Trilogy, A.I., the Truman Show, Pleasantville, 300, etc.)

Be A Light in a Dark Place

The gaming culture is one that is open to any and all ideas - whatever can be made fun.  With this in mind, please pay attention to what a game is Saying.  For example, in the highly praised game, Prey, you are a Native American that doesn’t buy into his ancestral beliefs until his grandfather teaches him how to "spirit walk", a skill vital to playing the game, where you actually leave your body behind and go where your body cannot.  There is also a "spirit guide" in the form of an eagle that helps you.  This makes for exciting, and unique game-play, but should be experienced with open eyes - if at all.  Other games are more subtle, like Oblivion where one quite literally battles the forces of Hell, but every 'established' religion is represented as minor, evil cults.  Like dealing with Harry Potter, a sharp eye, and sharper wit will keep the lines of light and darkness clear no matter how hard people try to blur them.  But it is totally acceptable, even commendable, to avoid these gray areas all together.

However, to avoid all things not "Christian" is to isolate one's self to the point of uselessness.  The world is there, we are in it.  We are not "of it."  If you find yourself in this community, use it as a platform, a way to be a real person to real people.  If you find yourself slipping from that role, I suggest taking a break from that community and reevaluating your purpose in it.  Rule number 1 in discipleship - whoever you spend the most time with wins.  How are you being discipled?  Because, somehow, you are.  What voices spend the most time speaking into your life?  Are they Godly, upright, encouraging voices that support you?  Or are they shallow, selfish, demeaning voices that showcase your inadequacy or, worse, encourage your self-sufficiency?  Online gaming can be a great platform to interact with people, to share your life, and connect with people, but it is not a platform to be fed from.  It should be an output, not an input.   It's all about maintaining perspective and balance.