You know, I think you are right. I've been playing fantasy stuff for years and years and have always felt a little gnawing feeling in my conscience when magic is utilized. Why? It's not the real thing, right? Well, I suppose shooting fireballs or drinking something to make one immune to cold is quite different than playing a necromancer, but still, the language of spell casting is used and words mean something. And then I think, as you point out, there is no possible world or quadrant of fantasy where God's morality does not apply (Hence Potter's problem). I suppose one could follow the lead of Lewis or Tolkien and imagine a world where nonhuman creatures use powers that function like magic (And is a power that can be used for good or bad). The truly sticky part is when the Christian assumes the role, however distantly, of a sorcerer. I admit that it is grand fun, but is it right?

In light of the fact that God drove out pagan nations, actually destroyed them for their evil practices and then called His people to be holy and not emulate them, it seems incredibly difficult to imagine that remotely modeling magic in games is righteous. I feel a certain measure of silliness in saying that all depictions of magical use are wrong, indeed, that some appear childishly fantastic, but then again, what is it about sorcery that God detests? I think that is an important question. Here's what comes to mind. It isn't as if the list in Deuteronomy lists all the bad ones. I think that is missing something. It is what those practices represent. And what do they represent? It is the act of trying to tap into supernatural sources that are contrary to God for the use or attainment of some kind of ability or power. Hence, the Egyptian magicians were apparently able to transmutate. But so was Moses, but through God's power, and that was fine. Surely they saw Moses as some kind of wizard. But he was God's agent. The same is true with Elijah, etc. If the real problem of sorcery is seen in this light, I think it makes the question of magic in games more clear. It is a bad practice, if it done contrary to God's purposes. (And it should be remembered that God's apostles and prophets didn't seem to be fully in control of their powers. God was the one who worked when He wanted to through them. Hence Trophimus was left sick 2 Timothy 4:20).

Therefore, magic in games are bad, for they image bad things in God's reality. If that is true, then Christians should not try to redefine terms or fantasize it all away. It is what it is, even if apparently trivial at times. The question then becomes: Can a Christian lawfully engage in playing these games? for surely many, many games harbor sinful realities, such as unjustified violence, thievery, unforgiveness, etc. Here I think a mixture of mind, heart commitment, conscience and perspective come into play.

When I assume the role of a wizard in the card game Magic the Gathering, even though I'm not a real wizard, and then cast spells and raise dead creatures and curse creatures and scry, my conscience acts up. I can tell myself, "Austin, these practices are imaging things that are wrong and I don't like them. But since I like the mechanics of the game, the strategy, the competition, maybe I can denounce the packaging/theme of the game and enjoy the underlying elements of the game." In that way I'm seeking to be holy in my heart and yet enjoy the game on another level. I've done that for years. But now, I'm beginning to wonder if that is stretching the limits and playing the game of justification. Of course, a slippery slope soon enters the picture: Are you consistent? Don't most games these days have ungodly elements like unjustified violence, thievery, etc. Well, yes. For some reason shooting virtual creatures or humans doesn't activate my conscience. I look at it as not really killing something, though the act does image a reality in our world that, in many instances, isn't good. But, at the same time, I wouldn't kill someone in their sleep like in the game Oblivion, playing as a thief. It mirrors evil too closely.

So what is the sum effect of all of this? I'm not sure exactly. Conscience surely plays a role, but I fear too many Christians press on in mirroring evil in games because, as I am well aware, they are tremendously fun. As for sorcery, the force of God's hatred for it compells me to share His mind on the matter. I think I'm going to give up Magic the Gathering, as hard as that is on one level. But by faith, I know that more good will come by virtue of avoiding that which is evil.

(Allow to keep thinking out loud).

Games also seem to be different than movies. In a game, I am in more control. I am assuming a role of some kind. In a movie, I am more of an observer. Therefore, I can watch magic and violence, not approve of it, and move on. But of course, isn't there even a line in that? I suppose if someone continues to watch and watch detestable practices, one can't help but wonder if the heart isn't delighting, on some level, in the evil practice. Otherwise, why keep watching such things? Why fill the mind with it?

Cheers,

Austin