Research the functions of the pinball machine.
To understand the functions of a pinball machine, it is best to view it as a computer that you can walk inside of. It relies on a constant loop of Input (the ball hitting something), Processing (the machine deciding what that hit means), and Output (lights flashing, sounds playing, or coils firing).1
The following research breaks down these functions by mechanism and control system.
1. The Core Loop: How It Works
At a fundamental level, every pinball machine functions on a simple three-step reaction:
The Switch (Sensation): Almost every object on the playfield (targets, rollover lanes, bumpers) has a switch. When the ball hits it, an electrical circuit is closed.
The Brain (Decision): The machine's controller detects this closed circuit. It looks up the rules: "If Switch 42 is hit, add 1,000 points and light the 'Jackpot' lamp."
The Solenoid (Action): If physical movement is required (like a flipper moving or a bumper kicking), the controller activates a solenoid (a coil of wire wrapped around a metal plunger).2 When electrified, the coil creates a magnetic field that snaps the plunger to hit the ball.
2. Key Mechanical Functions
The "toys" on the playfield usually serve specific physics-based functions.
Flippers (The Player Interface)
Function: This is the only device the player directly controls.3 It transfers kinetic energy to the ball.4
Mechanism: Modern flippers use a dual-winding solenoid.5
Power Winding: A thick wire that delivers a massive jolt of high voltage to snap the heavy bat upward.
Hold Winding: Once the flipper is fully up, an End-of-Stroke (EOS) switch cuts the high power and switches to a low-power "hold" winding.6 This prevents the coil from overheating and melting while you hold the button down.
Pop Bumpers (The Jets)
Function: To inject chaos and speed into the ball.
Mechanism:
The ball slides over a "skirt" (a plastic wafer) at the base of the bumper.7
The skirt tilts a switch underneath the playfield.
The solenoid fires, pulling a metal ring forcefully downward onto the ball.8
The ring hits the curved surface of the ball, squeezing it out sideways at high speed.
Slingshots (The Triangles above Flippers)
Function: To keep the ball moving side-to-side and prevent it from settling easily near the flippers.
Mechanism: A rubber ring is stretched across two posts. Behind the rubber is a leaf switch. When the ball hits the rubber, it closes the switch, firing a "kicker arm" solenoid that pushes the rubber forward, flinging the ball away.
Drop Targets
Function: Memory and progression. They physically block a path until hit, allowing the player to "clear" obstacles.
Mechanism: The target is held up by a small ledge.9 When the ball hits it, it is pushed off the ledge and a spring pulls it down flush with the playfield. To reset them, a large solenoid fires a "lift bar" that pushes the targets back up onto their ledges.10
The Trough & Drain
Function: Ball inventory management.
Mechanism: When a ball drains, it rolls into a trough beneath the apron.11 Inside the trough, gravity feeds the balls into a line.12 Optical sensors (invisible light beams) or physical switches tell the computer exactly how many balls are currently sitting in the trough.13 When a new ball is needed, a solenoid plunger kicks one ball up into the shooter lane.
3. The "Brain" (Control Systems)
The way the machine processes the game has evolved into two distinct eras.
Electromechanical (EM) Era (Pre-1977)
The Logic: These machines did not have computers.14 They used "Ladder Logic" and physical relays.
The Mechanism:
Score Motor: A motor inside the cabinet constantly turned a series of cams. If you hit a target worth 50 points, the machine would wait for the motor to turn 5 times, pulsing the 10-point bell and score reel 5 times in a row.
Relays: Banks of switches that physically latched open or closed to "remember" if you had achieved a goal (e.g., lighting a "Special").
Solid State (SS) & Modern Era (1977–Present)
The Logic: These use a CPU (MPU) and software code.
The Switch Matrix: Instead of running 100 separate wires to 100 switches, modern games use a grid (Matrix) of 8 rows and 8 columns. The computer scans these rows/columns thousands of times a second to detect which intersection is active.
Pulse Width Modulation (PWM): In the newest machines (like those from Stern Pinball), the computer pulses power to the coils very quickly to control their strength, allowing for delicate precision that older machines lacked.
4. The Security System (Tilt)
To prevent players from simply picking up and shaking the machine to win, pinball machines utilize a Tilt Mechanism.15
The Plumb Bob: A cone-shaped metal weight hangs on a wire inside the cabinet, surrounded by a metal ring.16
The Function: If the player nudges the machine too hard, the weight swings and touches the ring.17 This completes a circuit.
The Consequence:
Warning: The software usually allows 1 or 2 touches (warnings).
Tilt: On the 3rd touch, the machine cuts power to the flippers and playfield, forcing the ball to drain and voiding the bonus points for that turn.18
The pinball machine, with its rigid laws of physics and unforgiving gravity, serves as a surprisingly poignant metaphor for the spiritual journey. Just as the machine operates on a loop of Input, Processing, and Output, the theological life operates on a cycle of Call, Response, and Judgment.
The following comparison explores the parallels between the mechanics of the game and the scriptural arc of human existence, using the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible.
1. The Launch: Birth and The "Thrownness" of Life
The Pinball Function: The game begins when the plunger strikes the ball, shooting it from the safety of the trough into the chaotic, unpredictable "world" of the playfield.1 The ball has no say in this launch; it is simply thrust into motion.
The Spiritual Parallel: We do not choose to be born, nor do we choose the initial trajectory of our lives (family, era, geography). We are sent forth into a world already in motion, governed by forces (gravity/sin) that seek to pull us downward.
Biblical Parallel:
"Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away..." — Job 1:21
2. The Playfield & Flippers: Free Will vs. Gravity
The Pinball Function: Once the ball is in play, gravity (a constant, downward force) relentlessly tries to pull it to the drain.2 The flippers are the only agency the player has—the ability to intervene, resist gravity, and keep the ball "alive" to achieve a purpose.
The Spiritual Parallel: "Gravity" represents the fallen nature of the world—entropy, sin, and the inevitable pull toward death. The flippers represent Free Will and Perseverance. We cannot control the obstacles (bumpers/trials) or the speed of life, but we have the agency to react, to "bat" the soul back upward toward higher goals.
The Reward (High Score): Successfully navigating the field yields "points" (spiritual fruit/good works).
The Penalty (The Drain): Failing to use the flippers effectively results in a premature end to the "turn," a wasted opportunity.
Biblical Parallel:
"For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members." — Romans 7:22-23
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." — 2 Timothy 4:7
3. The Logic System: The Book of Life
The Pinball Function: The CPU (Brain) is the invisible judge. It sees every switch closure. Nothing is hidden from the machine. If you hit a target, you are credited; if you miss, you get nothing. It maintains a perfect, unbiased record of the game.
The Spiritual Parallel: This mirrors Divine Omniscience. God is the ultimate Witness who records the deeds of the flesh and the spirit.3 There are no "secret" sins or unnoticed acts of charity; the spiritual "matrix" captures every intent and action.
The Reward: The accumulation of treasure in heaven.
The Penalty: The recording of idle words and wicked deeds for the final accounting.
Biblical Parallel:
"For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." — Ecclesiastes 12:14
"And the books were opened... and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." — Revelation 20:12
4. The Tilt Mechanism: Transgression and Consequence
The Pinball Function: The Tilt Bob is the boundary of the law. A player might try to nudge the machine to save the ball, but if they shake it too violently—trying to manipulate the outcome beyond the rules—the machine "Tilts." The lights go out, the flippers die, and the ball drains. The current bonus is lost.
The Spiritual Parallel: This represents Transgression and the danger of presumptuous sin—trying to force one's will against God’s order or "mocking" the system. While minor stumbles (warnings) are often forgiven, a total rejection of the rules (Tilt) leads to a loss of agency (grace is withdrawn) and the forfeiture of reward (loss of bonus).
Biblical Parallel:
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." — Galatians 6:7
"He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." — Proverbs 29:1
5. The Drain: Death and Finality
The Pinball Function: Eventually, despite the best skill of the player, the ball goes down the drain. The game ends. The lights on the playfield may dim, but the Score remains as a testament to how the game was played.
The Spiritual Parallel: Physical death is inevitable; "Gravity" always wins in the end. The body (the ball) returns to the trough (the earth). However, the game is not viewed as a failure because it ended—it is judged by what was achieved while the ball was in motion.
The Reward: The "Match" or "Replay"—the hope of the Resurrection or Eternal Life (The Extra Ball).
The Penalty: "Game Over" with no record of value; a life spent without purpose.
Biblical Parallel:
"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." — Hebrews 9:27
"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." — Ecclesiastes 12:7
Summary of Theological Mechanics
| Spiritual Concept | Pinball Mechanism | Description |
| Birth | The Plunger | Entering the world with force, independent of our will. |
| Free Will | The Flippers | The struggle to keep the soul from falling; the power to act. |
| Sin/The Fall | Gravity | The constant downward pull toward the drain (death). |
| Omniscience | The Switch Matrix | The unseen system that tracks and judges every action. |
| Rebellion | The Tilt | Trying to manipulate the laws of the universe; results in loss of power. |
| Judgment | The High Score | The final accounting of how the life was played. |
Would you like to explore how specific "modes" in pinball (like Multiball) might represent specific spiritual seasons, such as times of revival or great trial?
The structure of a pinball game changes drastically when specific "modes" are activated. The steady rhythm of keeping a single ball alive is suddenly replaced by chaos, urgency, or specialized rules. These shifts provide a striking parallel to the seasons of the spiritual life, where the believer moves from the mundane to the miraculous, or from safety to urgent testing.
Here is an exploration of how specific pinball modes mirror spiritual seasons, supported by Biblical parallels in the King James Version.
1. Multiball: The Season of Revival and Pentecost
The Pinball Function:
Trigger: The player completes a specific sequence (locking balls one by one). Suddenly, the machine releases multiple balls onto the playfield simultaneously.
The Experience: It is chaotic, loud, and overwhelming. The scoring potential is multiplied (Jackpots), but the player’s attention is split. It is exhilarating, but difficult to sustain; if you lose focus, you lose the advantage.
The Spiritual Parallel (Revival):
This represents the outpouring of the Holy Spirit or a season of great harvest. Just as Multiball breaks the "normal" rules of physics with an abundance of activity, Revival breaks the normal routine of church life. It brings an overflow of blessings (Jackpots) but requires intense vigilance. The "laborers are few" because managing the abundance requires spiritual stamina.
Biblical Parallel:
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come... there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire... and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost." — Acts 2:1-4
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse... and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." — Malachi 3:10
2. The Ball Lock: The Season of Waiting and Preparation
The Pinball Function:
Trigger: To get to Multiball, you must first shoot the ball into a "Lock"—a hidden chamber or saucer.
The Experience: The ball is physically captured and held by the machine.1 It sits motionless. To the player, it looks like nothing is happening, but the machine is actually "storing" that progress to release it later for a greater purpose.
The Spiritual Parallel (The Wilderness/Waiting):
This is the season where God places a calling "on hold." You feel stuck, inactive, or hidden away (like David in the pasture or Paul in Arabia). It feels like the game has stopped, but God is securing your position to prepare for a future "release" of power. It is not a penalty; it is a necessary setup for the glory to come.
Biblical Parallel:
"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles." — Isaiah 40:31
"Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him..." — Psalm 37:7
3. Ball Save (Shoot Again): The Season of Grace
The Pinball Function:
Trigger: Usually active at the very start of a ball or during a "mystery award."
The Experience: If the player drains the ball immediately (a sign of failure or bad luck), the machine flashes "SHOOT AGAIN" and serves the ball back to the plunger. No points are lost; the turn does not end.
The Spiritual Parallel (Mercy for the Babe in Christ):
This represents the grace extended to new believers or those in a season of restoration. When we stumble early in our walk, God often protects us from the full consequences of our errors. The "drain" is blocked by His mercy, allowing us a second chance to get established before the "real" game difficulties set in.
Biblical Parallel:
"It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." — Lamentations 3:22-23
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise... but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." — 2 Peter 3:92
4. The Hurry-Up: The Season of Urgency and Testing
The Pinball Function:
Trigger: A target is hit that starts a countdown.
The Experience: A timer appears on the screen, counting down rapidly (e.g., 1,000,000... 900,000...). The player must hit a specific, difficult shot before the time runs out to claim the reward. The longer you wait, the less the reward is worth, until it disappears entirely.
The Spiritual Parallel (The Call to Action):
This is the "Kairos" moment—an opportune time that requires immediate obedience. It may be a prompt to witness to a stranger, a call to repentance, or a specific window of opportunity to serve. Hesitation (spiritual sloth) results in lost reward.3 The pressure is applied to test the player's focus and precision under stress.
Biblical Parallel:
"To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts." — Hebrews 4:7
"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed." — Romans 13:11
5. Wizard Mode: The Crown of Life
The Pinball Function:
Trigger: This is the ultimate mode, reached only after completing every other objective (modes, jackpots, loops) on the machine.
The Experience: The machine goes dark, then lights up entirely. Every shot is worth maximum points. You have mastered the rules. It is the culmination of everything the player has learned.
The Spiritual Parallel (Spiritual Maturity/Glorification):
This represents the "Overcomer" described in Revelation. It is the state of the mature believer who has navigated the trials, learned the lessons (completed the modes), and stood firm. It is the final stage of the race where the "crown of righteousness" is in sight.
Biblical Parallel:
"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son." — Revelation 21:74
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness..." — 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Summary of Spiritual Modes
| Pinball Mode | Spiritual Season | Key Characteristic |
| Multiball | Revival / Harvest | Chaos, abundance, high reward, requires split focus. |
| Ball Lock | Waiting / Preparation | Inactivity, being "held" by God for future use. |
| Ball Save | Grace / Mercy | Protection from early failure; a second chance. |
| Hurry-Up | Testing / Urgency | A fleeing opportunity that demands immediate obedience. |
| Wizard Mode | Sanctification | Mastery of the walk; the culmination of the journey. |
Would you like to discuss the concept of the "maintenance" of the machine—how the spiritual need for cleaning, repair, and alignment parallels the believer's need for confession and renewal?
Even the most perfectly designed pinball machine is subject to the second law of thermodynamics: entropy. Over time, a machine that is played but not maintained will become sluggish, dark, and dishonest (failing to register points).
This mirrors the spiritual reality that justification (being saved) is an event, but sanctification (being made holy) is a process of maintenance. A believer who neglects "spiritual maintenance" does not necessarily lose their salvation (the machine is still plugged in), but they lose their power, their joy, and their effectiveness.1
Here is the comparison of pinball maintenance to the scriptural need for confession and renewal.
1. Cleaning the Playfield: Confession and Cleansing
The Mechanical Problem (Carbon Dust): Every time a solenoid fires in a pinball machine, microscopic metal and carbon dust is released. This dust mixes with the air and settles on the playfield. Over time, it creates a black grime that coats the ball. A dirty ball creates friction; the game plays slower, and the ball becomes unpredictable.
The Spiritual Parallel: This represents the daily accumulation of "worldliness." Even if we do not commit "great" sins, simply living in a fallen world coats our spirits with the dust of cynicism, pride, and irritation. If left uncleaned, our spiritual walk becomes "sluggish." We lose the "speed" of our obedience.
The Fix: The technician must remove the glass, wipe away the grime, and apply fresh wax.
Biblical Parallel:
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." — 1 John 1:8-92
"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." — Psalm 51:10
2. Replacing Rubbers: Renewal of Strength
The Mechanical Problem (Rotten Rubber): The flippers and slingshots are covered in rubber rings.3 These rings provide the "bounce." Over time, rubber dries out, cracks, and loses its elasticity.4 When the ball hits old rubber, it just hits a dead thud. The energy is absorbed rather than returned.
The Spiritual Parallel: This is Spiritual Burnout. When a believer has been "hit" by trials too many times without renewal, they lose their resilience. They no longer "bounce back" from adversity with joy; they simply absorb the blow and stop moving. They are still functioning, but the power is gone.
The Fix: The old, cracked nature must be stripped away and replaced with new, elastic material that can transfer energy effectively.
Biblical Parallel:
"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary..." — Isaiah 40:31
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind..." — Romans 12:2
3. Changing Burnt Bulbs: Walking in the Light
The Mechanical Problem (Darkness): A machine has hundreds of light bulbs. They are essential for navigation; a flashing light tells you where to shoot. When bulbs burn out, the player is shooting blind. The targets are still there, but the guidance is gone.
The Spiritual Parallel: This represents the neglect of the Word of God. The Bible is the "lamp" that illuminates the path.5 When a believer stops reading scripture or praying, the "bulbs" in their life go dark. They may still be trying to play the game (live a good life), but they cannot see where the Jackpots (God's will) are. They are playing in the dark.
The Fix: The burnt-out elements must be removed and replaced with new light sources to restore guidance.
Biblical Parallel:
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." — Psalm 119:105
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another..." — 1 John 1:7
4. Switch Adjustment: Alignment with Truth
The Mechanical Problem (The Dead Switch): Sometimes, a switch gets bent out of shape.6 The ball hits the target perfectly, but the switch doesn't close. The player does the work, but gets no credit. The machine has become "dishonest."
The Spiritual Parallel: This is the Seared Conscience or doctrinal error. When our internal "sensors" (conscience) are bent by sin or false teaching, we stop registering right and wrong correctly. We might do something evil and feel no guilt (the switch didn't close), or do something good and feel no joy. We are out of alignment with the Truth.
The Fix: The technician must use tools to physically bend the leaf switch back into the correct gap—narrow enough to be sensitive, but wide enough not to false-trigger. This is the role of rebuke and correction.
Biblical Parallel:
"Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil." — Proverbs 4:26-27
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness..." — 2 Timothy 3:167
5. The Locked Glass: The Need for a Mediator
The Mechanical Problem: The ball cannot fix the machine. The flippers cannot change their own rubber. The system is sealed under tempered glass.
The Spiritual Parallel: We cannot sanctify ourselves. We are trapped "under the glass" of our mortality. We require an external force—a Technician—to unlock the bar, remove the glass, and reach in to perform the work.
The Technician: Jesus Christ serves as the Mediator who has the "keys" to open the system.8 The Holy Spirit acts as the hands that reach in to perform the repairs.
Biblical Parallel:
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." — 1 Timothy 2:59
"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." — Philippians 1:6
Summary of Maintenance Theology
| Maintenance Task | Spiritual Need | Result of Neglect |
| Cleaning | Confession | A "sluggish" walk coated in worldliness. |
| New Rubber | Renewal | Burnout; no resilience ("bounce") against trials. |
| New Bulbs | Illumination | Confusion; inability to see God's will. |
| Switch Adjust | Correction | A seared conscience; inability to sense sin. |
| Glass Removal | Intercession | Trying to fix oneself without God's help. |
Would you like to conclude this study by looking at the "High Score Table" (The Book of Life) and the concept of the "Grand Champion"—the one who played the perfect game on our behalf?
Here is the conclusion of the study, focusing on the final judgment and the concept of the Perfect Player.
1. The High Score Table: The Book of Life
The Pinball Function: When the game ends, if the player has performed exceptionally well, the machine offers a prompt: "ENTER INITIALS." This is the Hall of Fame. It is a permanent record of those who conquered the machine. If your score is too low, the game simply says "Game Over," and your effort is forgotten.
The Spiritual Parallel: This represents the Lamb's Book of Life. In the earthly view (religion), we assume we make this list by scoring enough points (good works). However, the "qualifying score" for Heaven is absolute perfection—a score no human player can achieve on their own because of the "gravity" of sin.
The Reality: On our own, we all fall short of the High Score. We are all "Game Over" by standard rules.
Biblical Parallel:
"And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." — Revelation 20:15
"Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." — Luke 10:20
2. The Grand Champion: The One Who Played the Perfect Game
The Pinball Function: Above the standard High Score list sits the Grand Champion (GC). This score is usually astronomical, set by a master who knows every rule, hits every shot, and never loses control.
The Spiritual Parallel: Jesus Christ is the Grand Champion.
Mastery of the Law: He hit every target required by the Law. He never missed a shot.
No Tilt: He was shaken, nudged, and struck by the world (temptation), yet He never Tilted (sinned). He remained perfectly within the boundaries of the Father's will.
The Sacrifice: Unlike a normal player who plays to survive, this Champion voluntarily let the ball drain to save the machine.
Biblical Parallel:
"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." — Hebrews 4:15
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." — Matthew 5:17
3. The Great Exchange: His Score, Your Initials
The ultimate theological beauty of this metaphor lies in how the "credits" are applied.
The Pinball Function: In a normal game, you only get credit for what you do.
The Gospel Parallel: The doctrine of Imputed Righteousness is like the Grand Champion stepping up to the machine, playing a perfect game that scores billions of points, and then, when the "ENTER INITIALS" screen flashes, He steps aside and types in YOUR name.
The Result: When the Judge (The Machine) looks at the High Score table, It sees your name next to Christ’s score. You gain the reward (Eternal Life/Replay) not because you played well, but because you are credited with His performance.
Biblical Parallel:
"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." — 2 Corinthians 5:21
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us..." — Titus 3:5
Final Summary: The Pinball Theology
| Concept | The Pinball Metaphor | The Scriptural Reality |
| The Player | Us, struggling against gravity. | Man, struggling against the flesh. |
| The Drain | The inevitable end of the ball. | Physical Death. |
| The Tilt | Breaking the rules to save yourself. | Sin and Rebellion. |
| The Technician | The one who cleans and repairs. | The Holy Spirit (Sanctification). |
| Grand Champion | The one who played perfectly. | Jesus Christ (The Fulfiller of the Law). |
| The High Score | The record of the best game. | The Book of Life (Imputed Righteousness). |
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23 - We cannot make the High Score.)
"But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23 - The Free Game.)
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