Christianity A Game?
While at UM ARMY our work team played a word game. Kathy started the game by saying a phrase. As the game was played we learned the rules by playing. The “game” was to figure out the rules. No one would tell you the rules of the game; you had to figure the rules out as you played the game. Life is often like this game. We learn the rules as we go. It can be frustrating. We get upset with people who do not interpret the rules of life the same way we do.
Each society has its own set of rules, and we learn the rules by living in that society. These rules are a part of culture. The rules and our willingness to follow the rules often represent a worldview and deep seated values. In doing prison ministry I have been able to observe a set of rules of prison life. Prison has its own culture, its own set of rules. These unwritten rules include “do not be vulnerable”, “do not be weak”, “do not be an informer”, and “there are more rules”. Each inmate learns the prison cultural rules by watching the group. How to manipulate people is one of the things learned and valued in prison. Inmates are often called “cons”, because they con people. I have met some inmates who con people because they believe the whole world does the same. They just think that they got caught breaking some rules. These inmates believe what they did is not wrong because the world at its basis is about manipulation. The world is about getting what you want, by any means.
So when I proclaim the Gospel to inmates some of these men consider it a new “game”. It is a game just like any other game. It has rules. They believe that Christianity is a means to manipulate their environment and to manipulate people. All that is needed is to learn the rules of the Christian game and play it to get what they want. They quickly learn to clean up their language, be nice to people, go to worship. Go along to get along, all the while missing the radical nature of the Gospel.
You see; many of the cultural values of prison, and of our world, run counter to the values of Christ. So, if an inmate views Christianity as new rules for the purpose to manipulate, the result is a veneer—an outward change with no corresponding inward change. The inmate at his core remains unchanged. Christianity is just a new “game” to be played. So he learns the rules and lives a life untouched by grace.
It reminds me of Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He was a man who knew all of the rules and all the right people. He was well respected and knew the rules of Jewish society. He was living within the law, yet he came to Jesus, and here is what Jesus said. “I tell you the truth; no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” (John 3:3). Jesus is speaking about a spiritual truth here.
Each Kingdom has its own rules, its own culture, and its own values. As I read the bible I see Jesus speaking about a kingdom. He speaks of the kingdom of God. At the core of God’s Kingdom are God’s values. You see, Christianity opens our eyes to an alternative way of being and relating to one another. It opens our eyes to the kingdom of God. It is not just a game with new rules, so that we may manipulate others, but it is a new reality. It is an understanding of God’s values. It is to become a servant at heart.
So here is the challenge, how do I communicate the vision of God’s kingdom? By living the example of Christian service, but the danger is to fall into legalism and bitterness. Here is the secret. It is done by living out of the abundance of a servant’s heart. I do it because I have Christ in me by the grace of God. In this way I am able to do prison ministry knowing my words and actions must match so that I present God’s kingdom, not a game.
Rev Patrick Evans