{"id":12811,"date":"2010-06-27T23:01:15","date_gmt":"2010-06-28T04:01:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/?p=12811"},"modified":"2010-06-28T01:33:50","modified_gmt":"2010-06-28T06:33:50","slug":"gods-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/2010\/06\/gods-game\/","title":{"rendered":"God’s Game"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"300px-Bufo_americanus_PJC1\"It seems to me that there are two contradictory sets of underlying assumptions about the plan of salvation. One is the “salvation as a game” perspective and the other is “salvation as a journey” perspective.<\/p>\n

The key difference between a game and a journey is that in a game the rewards are given by people, while in a journey the rewards are obtained from nature. For example, money, gifts, recognition, and grades are rewards given by people. In a game, someone has the authority to bestow the reward. In a job, your boss has the authority to grant your paycheck; in a sport, the referee has authority to bestow points; in school, your teacher has authority to assign grades; in court, the judge or jury have power to decide a victor.<\/p>\n

In a journey, however, the rewards are not given by an authority \u2013 rather they are obtained from nature. The mathematician seeking a more efficient algorithm, the inventor working to build a new solar cell, the athlete striving to train her body, and the carpenter working to build a house are all examples of individuals on journeys. Their rewards grow directly from their work, and are not granted by any human authority.<\/p>\n

To illustrate, compare learning\u2014a journey\u2014with school, which is a game.<\/p>\n

Learning\u2014a journey<\/em><\/p>\n

In the journey of learning, the goal is to obtain certain knowledge. The only way to obtain knowledge is through study and experience. There is no adjudicating body to which one can appeal. If calculus is difficult for you, you cannot appeal to your teacher to make calculus become easier.<\/p>\n

School\u2014a game<\/em><\/p>\n

In contrast, if you’re failing your calculus course, you can appeal to your calculus teacher for a better grade. This is because school is a game, and the goal isn\u2019t learning, but rather grades. Since school is a game, the link between the work and the grades is arbitrarily defined, and can be altered. A calculus teacher cannot make calculus easier or harder, but she can make the class easier or harder. She can give one \u201cA\u201d or many \u201cA\u201ds.<\/p>\n

Of course, the teacher hopes that the students will receive more than just grades. He wants them to receive an education! And so there is a connection between games and journeys. Teachers select assignments (games) that they hope will impel the students toward real learning (the journey).<\/p>\n

So let\u2019s bring these concepts of \u201cgame\u201d and \u201cjourney\u201d back to the plan of salvation. A commonly held view of God is to see Him as the arbiter in a great game. In this game, salvation in heaven is the reward, and it is granted by God, the authoritative body.<\/p>\n