Note: I have been writing about video games in one form or another for most of my life. This piece was written for my junior high-school English class. The teacher of that class was excellent and had an extremely strong influence on my ability to write arguments clearly. I first learned the five paragraph essay (and the principles that form inculcates when well taught) from him. The three topics touched on in this piece–video games, ancient Rome, and morality–have continued to be important to me throughout my adult life. However as I have lost confidence in the Bible, finding the grounds from which to articulate a clear and authoritative moral vision in the absence of an authoritative holy book has been an ongoing challenge. (DL, Sept. 19, 2021)
2,000 years ago, two Roman galdiators are engaged in mortal combat. With a quick feint, one of them darts forward and disembowels the other. The watching thousands leap to their feet, cheering wildly. Today, in the local arcade, two young men are engaged in “Mortal Kombat II”. They are playing a video game that involves a fight to the death. At the battle’s end, one of the characters reaches forward and rips the arms off the other. Blood gushes, and bystanders erupt in laughter. The striking similarities between the deadly forms of entertainment enjoyed by pagan Rome, and those forms of entertainment enjoyed today, illustrate how much the United States parallels the Roman Empire, and may be heading for the same end.
Rome was the greatest civilization of its time. She had conquered the known world, and her legions were universally feared. She had, however, a fatal flaw. Her total lack of moral character is what led to her eventual downfall. Her citizens thronged to the amphitheaters to see gladiators slaughter one another, or to see young girls torn apart by lions.
The amphitheater was one of the largest structures in a Roman town, and was often capable of holding the entire population. Inside these amphitheaters, many different events were held. They ranged from duels between gladiators, to miniature sea battles. On the day of an event, citizens would flock to the arena, and often remain there the whole day. They reveled in the bloodshed, and cheered as Christians were slain by the thousands. This bloodlust and horrible persecution of Christians led to the eventual fall of Rome.
Rome fell, because it was the will of God. The Bible states very clearly that nothing happens outside of God’s will, and that He planned everything that happens before the creation of the world (Eph. 1:11). The Bible says that God hates sinners, and that He will destroy them, (Psalm 5:5, Rom. 6:23). In the Old Testament, God set a precedent for destroying nations that defied Him, and turned their backs on Him. Time after time, he sent judgement, even to His own people when they turned from Him. I believe that Rome fell, because God sent His judgement on it. It was the just end for a nation that had followed a path of moral decay for centuries.
Today, in this country the same thing is happening. Movies and T.V. shows such as Terminator 2 glorify violence, while video games like “Mortal Kombat II” are filled with blood and gore. These things were unheard of 50 years ago, yet today, they are accepted as commonplace. There may not be actual gladiator battles, but there are boxing matches and pit fights. There might not be fights between lions, but there are dog and cock fights. Every part of Rome that is now decried as being its worst, we have in another form.
The United States is on the same road as Rome was. “All roads lead to Rome”, and this country is certainly following one. One day soon, the Lord will return, and the whole world will be destroyed as punishment for its sin. Only those who have put their faith in Jesus will be saved. The rest will spend eternity separated from God in a place called Hell.