Upon reading this, I was disgusted. I found it hard to believe that Left Behind could get this bad--and it's bad as it is.

So I went and checked the game's website and they're responding to criticism. Troy Lyndon says that "references to “praise the lord and pass the ammunition” or “kill in the name of God” or others were made by journalists spreading misinformation, which is absolutely not true."

So, it may not be as bad as it sounds here, but of course it's still bad.

I typed "tyndale video game" into my Google toolbar and did some reading. I'm not convinced the sky is falling, Chicken Little.

But here's the bigger deal: I'm going to turn the mirror back on you. The game is attempting to play out the end times as the evangelical church in America knows it, teaches it, believes it today. Granted - the game is doing it with some high-tech action gear (sold separately) and 21st century video and graphics, but my guess is it comes pretty close to summarizing the American, red-state, it-all-goes-to-hell eschatology that the church has bought into. What the church needs to do - perhaps for the first time - is look at what this whole Rapture-Tribulation-Apocalypse thing really looks like.

And what it looks like is exactly what the book series always claimed to be: fiction.

I haven't played the game yet--but naturally, that won't stop me (and countless others) from reviewing it sight unseen. :-)

As I mentioned in a note over at CTLibrary ("Violence in, Violence Out"), video games teach us something while we are ostensibly being entertained. What we think about has consequences. Or, as C.S. Lewis has said, "We eventually become what we pretend to be."

That said, I think it's worth pointing out that most of the pre-release press I've seen on the Left Behind game over-sensationalizes the "blood and gore," making it sound like a first-person-shooter. It's not: it's a real-time-strategy game.

There are fundamental differences between the two types of games, and I'm not yet convinced that the Left Behind game is as heinous as many make it sound. I reserve judgment until I've seen it for myself.

Regards,

Rich.
BlogRodent

While I fully agree with the view that this game is an abhorent misrepresentation of the Gospel, I do not believe it proves the point about the medium impacting the message. A bad (dare I say heretical) application of scripture does not mean that there cannot be games with positive faith attributes, just as heretical books do not impunge the morality of all printed pages, nor satanic music cast doubt on the value of uplifting music -- rather they all reflect on the producers/publishers, critically so when they claim allegiance to the God of the Scriptures.

I've avoided the whole Left Behind phenomenon so I can't defend or criticise it. However, I thought I'd check out the publisher's web site before diving into this (because it did sound pretty disgusting to me). The makers of the Left Behind Games have issued a statement about the games at www.leftbehindgames.com/pages/controversy.htm. Evidently much of the information being circulated is incorrect, and you might want to check it out before getting up in arms.

However, on the broader issue of the use of entertainment to 'preach' the gospel. I just don't see Jesus or the Apostle Paul buying it (literally or figuratively)! Both relied on the power of God in their ministry. I am concerned that we have become so reliant on cultural forms of 'evangelism' because we have lost the power of the gospel. What are people being converted to? The Jesus who said, 'Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me'? Or an entertainment packed consumer religion?

I give up.

Father in the heavens bring your rule and reign now!

Which gospels are these people reading? How do they go from Christ on a cross (which Christ told his follwers to take up) to using violence to convert others?

Turn or burn? Or is it now Turn or get killed?

Lord have mercy on us.

When one of the games' co-creators says, “It’s got all the Christian stuff, and it’s still got all the cool stuff,” I think that's evidence enough that they don't understand the Gospel.

Why this focus on violent games? In the Washington Post article, a Christian who designs video games is paraphrased as saying that "action" (i.e. violence) is necessary for a game to be popular. Really? What about Tetris, Super Mario Bros., Myst, SimCity, Civilization, the Sims...? It seems like every overtly "Christian" game is violence-based. I wonder how many of these well-designed, thoughtful "secular" games have Christians involved somewhere in the production.

Indeed, the game's website is doing damage control given the bad press its been receiving. However, snooping around the site reveals the game's most offensisve elements are true.

From the site's FAQs page:
"Are guns used by Christians against non-Christians? Why or why not?"

"The storyline in the game begins just after the Rapture has occurred – when all adult Christians, all infants, and many children were instantly swept home to Heaven and off the Earth by God. The remaining population – those who were left behind – are then poised to make a decision at some point. They cannot remain neutral. Their choice is to either join the AntiChrist – which is an imposturous one world government seeking peace for all of mankind, or they may join the Tribulation Force – which seeks to expose the truth and defend themselves against the forces of the AntiChrist."

Interestingly, they don't answer their own question.

"Lyndon says he anticipates those on the liberal left will criticize Left Behind: Eternal Forces, "but megachurches are very likely to embrace this game." And they will be main marketing outlets for the product."

I can not even believe that some of you are defending this. Lyndon straight out says he hopes that the churches market this and basically sell it for them. It is the same thing as when they marketed Chronicles of Narnia to us. The first time someone tries to market a violence filled game to me at my church and say that it is "religious in nature" I am out of there.

Does anyone remember learning about the crusades? They were killing in the name of Jesus and Christianity as well, and it is one of the darkest days of Christianity since Jesus died on the cross.

Misinformation or not...this makes me sick to my stomach. I hope this game, and others like it that are coming out, flop so bad that the publishers will not dare go there again.

hmm...if only there was another example in the world of a fringe sect within a particular religion that uses violence to gain conversion or eradication of 'sinners'...if only there was another example to see what it really looks like, not just virtually...if only...

I declare it here and now: I never want to hear another word about 'Islamo-facism' from anyone who supports this kind of "outreach."

Lord have mercy on us, a band of sinners.

The game is the result of a wider problem. The Christian community has forgotten what evangelism looks like.

It looks like this:
Love the Lord your God.
Love your neighbor.

A strategy game (I play them too!) by its very nature reduces the "people" to pawn characters. Jesus (I love him too!) by his very nature lifts up people who feel like hopeless pawns. He says, "God loves you. He wants to have a relationship with you."

God isn't playing a strategy game with his Creation. We aren't his pawns. We are his people.

I sincerely doubt that those left behind in those days to come will consider life on earth to be a "game." From what I read in Scriptures, it will hardly be amusing or entertaining.

God help us.

Well, if you haven't seen the trailer for this game, don't rush to find it because it's one of those that really shows absolutely nothing about how the game actually works. And the FAQs on the LBG site really doesn't help much either. There are a few still photos on LBG that seem to detail the sort of violence that is portrayed. It does look to be bloodless and not very detailed.

However I'm not sure the KIND of violence really makes a difference. Though Rich seems comforted by the fact that it's not a first-person-shooter, this brings me no comfort. It's still a third-person-army-against-army-Christian-against-the-antichrist-and-all-other-people-shooter.

If this was a WWII game or some secular spy adventure, that is one thing. But it's not. At the end of the day, no matter how desensitized to violence we may be, this is about Christians engaging in war against Antichrist. I'm sorry but I don't want anything having to do with Christians killing anybody! And the simple fact that you have the option of playing on the antichirst's side and that we get to "witness spectacular Angelic and demonic activity" -- and we make a game of this? We take things ever so serious and make sport of them...

And this is a tool for evangelism??? Who is going to trust in the love of a Christ that is on a death-hunt? ... Now I know that the game sets these events up not as a mere divine vendetta, but I fear that that is how they will appear. And with such sensitive matters, we want appearances to be clear. We want the Gospel to be clear.

I love how the defenders of this game call the opposition "liberal" and "left wingers." Any good conservative republican will love the violence and the turn or die message of it, right?

Maybe that's why we haven't heard any comments from Pat Robertson for the past few weeks, he must be busy playing his "preview copy."

Anyway, if this game is comparatively as poor quality as the movies were, nobody is really going to buy it. However, I'm sure that we'll hear plenty about it in the media.

That's true Mike. The movies were so poorly done and acted that they were a laughing stock by anyone who enjoys "real" movies. I guess a wise prayer may be that this game becomes a similar laughing stock that NO ONE TAKES SERIOUSLY. We should pray that it is obvious that the game is from some sickened segment of Christendom. The last thing we want is for someone to actually think this game represents those who take the NT seriously and seek to follow Jesus in love and humility.

Wrong, Mike. Here is one conservative Republican Christian who says leave behind Left Behind.

How stylized or abstracted must a game's violence be, before it's acceptable to Christians?

Is chess violent? It's a war-game. Stylized, to be sure, but war nonetheless. Is playing chess somehow going to induce me to become a warlord, or to sin because I'm actively engaging in pseudo-violent behavior?

If chess gets a pass, why?

What if I said, "The black pieces represent the forces of Evil, and the white pieces are God's Army of Light. Let's see who wins!" Would that make it a bad game?

I'm interested in seeing where folks draw the lines here.

Regards,

Rich
BlogRodent

a quick thought:

the theological problem with the game (as it has been described in the above article) is not that it portrays spiritual conflict. the problem is that it defines our enemies in this conflict as as being other humans and not satan, his forces, the power of sin or the agendas and priorities of the world. As Paul wrote "our struggle is not against flesh and blood"...

maybe an accurate video game of spiritul conflict would involve navigating a virtual character through a series of near-impossible tasks such as working in the business world whilst maintaining personal integrity, recycling trash consistently, being a loving spouse, building relationships with seeking neighbours and friends and keeping a close walk with God.

ok... not such an exciting game to play, but you get my point: shooting people has nothing, biblically-speaking, to do with killing people.
the game-makers' error is, before all else, a theological one...

thoughts?

Bad theology + commercialized novels + painful movies = a worse video game.

Once again, the Christian community looks mean and horrible. So why is is that when people talk about Christians the words "love", "grace", "mercy", and "generosity" are rarely ever used? Instead words like "hate" and "judgment" are. Perhaps we are beginning to see why this is.

I wrote about this game a couple months ago (click on my name to link to the post). I'm skeptical of anything Left Behind to begin with, and find myself disgusted by the idea of a game which glorifies the worst violent aspects of it. But the gamemakers aren't blind to this danger, and seem to be trying to undermine to the very anonymous violence of their genre. You actually *lose* spirit points for killing, even in self-defense (that's why prayer is necessary), and units aren't annonymous at all, they have each been given a complete back-story to emphasize that these are real people whose lives are in your hands.

To tell you the truth all of this is a natural evolution in the faith and values of the western church. We have for so long left God out of the picture in all of our endeavours. We plan, we strategize, we market, we sell, all in the effort to entice others to 'be like us'. All the while God is 'left behind'. We prefer him as an idea rather than a reality. The problem is that we love the world too much. We want Church to be more a reflection of our desires. We have always wanted entertainment that pacifies our christian sensibilities. And now the thin edge of the wedge has paid off. Who cares now? We now have a taste for blood.

We may sit before our computer terminal and pontficate in a heated righteous anger over this latest bit of spiritual insanity, but the fact of the matter is if we would only seriously and humbly look within we would find that we are equally to blame. Forget all the intellectual gynmastics used to justify our 'witness' to the world: we love the world! And the disquieting truth of the matter is that those who love the world and the things of the world; the love of the Father is not found in him / her.

God, and God alone, help us!

Ian, I see the problem one hundred and eighty degrees in the opposite direction - that the church is too heavenly minded to do any earthly good.

For God so loved THE WORLD that He gave His only begotten son...

The medium is the message.

I have a hard time seeing how violence is an appropriate medium for the Gospel of peace.

Mike,
John 3:16 and I John 3:15-17 are looking at the world in different ways. Both are powerful teachings. Perhaps the reason we are so messed up is because we so often confuse God's love for humanity (and the command to love our neighbour as ourself)with our adulterous love affair with the things (material, lusts and philosophies)inherent to this world.

Ian - I can see where you are coming from. I have this feeling [much like Mike] that the reason is that we've forgotten how to "love the world". We've somehow lost clarity that from the beginning of the Scriptures to the very end the story of God is about invading earth with heaven [or the rule and reign of God].

God is not somewhere else waiting for the world to become so bad that he can finally take his people away. He is about coming here - in the garden, through the tabernacle, through the Temple, in the incarnation, through the Church, and finally [according to Revelation 21] taking up permanent residence here. God's dwellling place will then fully be with humanity.

Mission accomplished.

my worry is that there are some out there that can see this (as with any violent video game) as "training". And love 'em or hate 'em, LaHaye and Jenkins have created... dare we call it a 'mania' about the end times. Yes, we should be ever watchful and hopeful for the coming of the Lord, but is the warfare part really the part we should be focused on?

I am grateful for this article and the responses. I am deeply saddened by our evangelical brothers and sisters who still believe that violence is acceptable in God's kingdom.

Our Lord was executed because people with strong religious convictions who thought they were protecting the laws of God. But, we still have this mentality which justifies killing people to protect our religious persuasion. by contrast, I believe that Jesus' resurrection teaches us that it is okay to die for our faith in obedience to Jesus' call to non-violence, because my death as a believer is not the end. There is life beyond the grave, with special promise for us who are part of the household of faith. I fear that those who believe in killing to protect the faith do not understand the significance of the resurrection.

On a more practical note, I think such video games make militarism to appear attractive.

I would like to include a quote which describes 'becoming all things to all people' in a more biblical light.
"True evangelical faith cannot lie dormant. It clothes the naked, it feeds the hungry, it comforts the sorrowful, it shelters the destitute, it serves those that harm it, it binds up that which is wounded, it has become all things to all people." Menno Simons

So, what would a truly Christian video game look like?

Conversion - sort of a racing game which travels to different streets across the country, but instead of racing you evangelize!

Or maybe:

Becoming Perfect -- you are the rich young ruler who has lots of money and has to give it all away to various neighbors.

Maybe we can have a Myst sort of game that wanders through the world of Revelation and we have to uncode the various puzzles.

There must be something theologically acceptable I can put into my PS2.

"There must be something theologically acceptable I can put into my PS2."

Dude, you should try Billy Graham's Bible Blaster!

(nod to the Simpsons).

Money is God. Why are we surprised? The Left Behind book series was expanded to make more money so why not a video game to make even more money.

This is beyond sad, an affront to the simple message of the gospel but is it really all that surprising. I think not which makes me even more sad.

"Left Behind" has left behind any pretenses of evangelism a long time ago. First you had a 10 book series (10!!) describing the last 7 years on earth. Now you've had two prequels...or is it more? On top of that, there are the "Military Novels" that coincide by a different author, the 30 or so Left Behind Kids...and let's not forget the Left Behind Hip Teen Series (I have no idea how many volumes).

This is ALL ABOUT MONEY. For Lahaye, Jenkins, and Tyndale.

Of course, I haven't even mentioned the movies, the Left Behind End Times Timeline posters, and of course...now the video games.

How much of this has been consumed by Christians vs. non-Christians? I would guess 95 percent plus has been purchased by Christians. That won't get the message out to the lost.

Sorry about all the rambling. All I know is that CS Lewis and JRR Tolkein did far more with many less volumes.

Dear friends,

So much has been written and talked about the coming video game Left Behind: Eternal Forces due out next month. My humble opinion is that it's wonderful to have this game become a catalyst for discussions that might help many grow stronger and others discover faith and I am thankful to the Lord for the opportunity. For me personally, my understanding was once darkened and I could not see. But now the light that is the light of all men has brightened my way and my prayer is that this game will light the way for others who walk in darkness.

Perhaps this will help you to understand our intention…

When you complete a game level you will receive a "reward screen" which will contain a brief theological vignette. If a player wants to continue with the gameplay they may by clicking a "continue" button. However, if they decide they would like to learn more, they may click a “find out more” button which launches a browser bringing them to a site where you can read, learn and discuss questions, comments and objections.

My hope is that thoughtful believers and seekers of truth everywhere will play the game with their friends and families. Anyone can begin to do that now by downloading the free demo at www.leftbehindgames.com.

Sincerest Regards,

Jeffrey S. Frichner
President
Left Behind Games Inc.

1 Corinthians 4 (The Message) ...it matters very little what you think of me (Paul), even less where I rank in popular opinion. I don't even rank myself. Comparisons in these matters are pointless. I'm not aware of anything that would disqualify me from being a good guide for you, but that doesn’t mean much. The Master makes that judgment.
So don't get ahead of the Master and jump to conclusions with your judgments until the evidence is in. When he comes, he will bring out in the open and place in evidence all kinds of things we never dreamed of---inner motives and purposes and prayers. Only then will any one of us get to hear the "Well done!" of God.
All I’m' doing right now, friends, is showing how these things pertain to Apollos and me so that you will learn restraint and not rush into making judgments without knowing all the facts. It's important to look at things from God's point of view...

Brother and Sisters,
The "Left Behind" game concept is Great! What people in the Christian community continue to do is this: "Judge!" It seems to never stop in Christ's Church. First, it was Christian contemporary music, then rap music, then rock music. It never stops, people Judge, Judge and Judge somemore. Remember, we are to take the "Gospel" to "Every" creature (Mark 16:15).

How many people who complain about the game will truly ever play it? Or are they simply finding something to complain about and judge? Fact tis this - The devil has taken over the entertainment industry, movies, music, etc. And the Earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof -
Psalm 24:1. We need to begin to create fresh products that show Christ as who he is - God. And show that Christ is coming again.

I have read so much mis-information about this game it is unbelieveable. Even on this website. The player loses points for killing unbelievers, not gains points. They never says "praise the lord" after someone is killed. So instead of tearing down a tool for evangelism - why do'nt we try to actually "pray for it to prosper" and accomplish the thing that God wishes it too?
Blood-Bought Media c/o Ryan Jarvis

Now that the game is out... as One stated above... how many critizing and judging off of other peoples opinions;
Have actually Played this game? My guess is a very small percent if any.
I as a parent did go to the website and did a little "homework". I do not like the violence in most of the popular games out on the market today. After allowing my son to play the demo... he found it to be interesting enough an wanted the game. I did purchase the game for him... for the level of violence IT DOES NOT HAVE.

Watching my son play the game, I can personally attest that this game IS NOT about Christian's killing non-Christians.

First to put things in perspective... It is a GAME.
Second, it is clearly a game of Good vs Evil. After the rapture... where the story begins... hence... All the "Christians" have already Vanished!
What you have left is Beleivers... seeking the truth as to what "may", have happened, vs the Global Peace keepers which is actually a One World Government (the Anti-christ) deceiving the masses.
This game wasn't intended to replace my bible an teach my son the meaning of God, Jesus Christ, and the world that surrounds us. That is my job as a Parent.
What it is... Is a Game, with choices... and consequences. Also, Alot LESS violence than people are writing about.
I have never read the series, so I can not compare the ideology of the books, just that I DO NOT see in the game... what everyone is up in arms about.
It is a Game... That my son enjoys.

Groups arguing a debating this game should really focus on the real tragedies in our country! Stop sweating the small stuff!
Move on to a Real issue. Feed the poor & house the homeless on our soil! And while they have so much time on there hands Find a Cure for Cancer.

This post is provided by Troy Lyndon, the CEO of Left Behind Games.

FOCUS ON THE FAMILY endorses our game. Read below to find out why!

Our game DOES NOT encourage killing.

Our game is NOT anti-semitic.

Our game is NOT anti-muslim or anti-islamic.

It is anti-EVIL! The ultimate bad-guy is the Antichrist who wants to eliminate all faiths and all religions, except his and he is deceiving the entire world.

Our game does NOT teach the pre-tribulation theology of the book series, except that this worldview is utilized as a FICTIONAL backdrop of the game.

In the past several days, numerous people have been and continue to spread misinformation about the game.

Our game is the first game ever to encourage the use of PRAYER and WORSHIP as the most effective means to resolve conflict.

Physical warfare is discouraged as the LEAST EFFECTIVE means for resolving conflict…and a gamer loses points for using a gun.

This is the world’s first high-quality inspirational game which intends to model positive behavior by discouraging physical warfare.

Please play the game for yourself and help us to get out the TRUTH.

In an industry which creates so much gratuitous violence and gore, LEFT BEHIND: Eternal Forces presents a healthy alternative. We need your help to get the word out!

PLAY THE GAME and find out for yourself that this game is about the battle of good versus evil.

Here are a few things said by others:

- The Anti-Defamation League, although they speak out against the book theology, says “Conversion to Christianity in the game is not depicted as forcible in nature, and violence is not rewarded in the game.”

- AOL says it is a “Positive Moral Message”

- Focus on the Family says “Finally! A game Mom and Dad can play with Junior”

- Concerned Women for America says “A game we can wholeheartedly recommend!”

- Wired Magazine “Few are as ambitious and polished as this PC title.”

- ArsTechnica.com “This is a game that Christian parents can buy their kids, and one that Christian kids can play themselves without any guilt about "questionable content."”

- Women of Faith says “In an industry that is full of destruction with no hope, the LEFT BEHIND game

- Clint Thomas from Chaos Theory says “For years we’ve been telling kids what to run from and not what to run to, until now!”

Should you have any concerns about this game, please go to the contact us page on our website at www.leftbehindgames.com and we’ll do our best to connect with you.

Sincerely,

- Troy