"Let us Prey" -- More on Left Behind Game

You know, I thought true believers were supposed to be raptured when Jesus returns, so why is there a born-again Tribulation Force that's fighting the Anti-Christ's minions? I guess I'll have to read the Left Behind books, or maybe I can play the video game. I don't plan on purchasing the game. In fact, I'd just as soon that my son doesn't play War Craft. But you know I'd rather he play War Craft than Left Behind, because Left Behind carries a theological message that I can't get on board with.

I earlier posted my misgiving and added a review of Barbara Rossing's excellent book: Rapture Exposed. In reading the LA Times today, I came across a short piece by Stephanie Simon that offers an interesting take on the game and its supporters and detractors. Though there isn't any blood or gore in the game, and you get more points converting than killing your opponents, it's still that idea that when push comes to shove, a muscular Christianity will defend itself by the sword. I find it interesting that the game's creator, Troy Lyndon, is quoted as saying that the game's purpose is to "spur teens to start thinking about 'matters of eternal importance,' such as the fate of their souls." Of course Focus on the Family, in its ever vigilant support of the culture wars is an enthusiastic backer of the game. Still, the real problem is the theology and what I consider a serious misreading of Scripture. The rapture isn't the center of the New Testament -- Jesus is.

Comments

Anonymous said…
My inaugural address at the Great White Throne Judgment of the Dead, after I have raptured out billions!
Read My Inaugural Address
My Site=http://www.angelfire.com/crazy/spaceman
SJR said…
There has been alot of misleading information spun throughout the public and media regarding Left Behind Eternal Forces game. I encourage you to visit www.menofgod.us & download a trial version. I believe the first hand experience will allow you the opportunity to judge for yourself and put these rumors to a rest.
Here is a statement from the CEO, Troy Lyndon, to clarify some of the misconceptions and propaganda:
LEFT BEHIND: Eternal Forces
A PC Game

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 Lyndon
CEO, Left Behind Games Inc.
Robert Cornwall said…
SJR seems to believe that we will believe that a game that allows one to kill for Jesus, even if it takes away points, isn't intended to suggest that this is the way Jesus would want us to act. As for the pre-trib theology. If you're basing the game on the book then you end up teaching the dispensationalism inherent in the book. To suggest otherwise seems to me disingenuous.
SJR said…
Dear Mr Cornwall,
We are NOT Teaching the pre- tri theology. The Game Left Behind Eternal Forces DOES NOT KILL in the name of Jesus or for Jesus.
Jesus is Not in the Game play what so ever.
The Game is of Good vs. Evil.
The book is simply used as a Fictional "backdrop" for the game.

I encourage you to check out our website www.leftbehindgames.com
SJR
Anonymous said…
Please read Matthew 24. The words of Jesus speak very eloquently for themselves:

30 "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

32 "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
42 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

45 "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Jesus believed in the rapture.

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