Left Behind -- The Game

I have received several postings from SJR, an anonymous worker at the Left Behind Game company. The poster has challenged my interpretation of the game, suggesting that the game doesn't teach Pre-tribulation rapture or that people kill in the name of Jesus. I will admit to not playing the game -- but I do beg to differ on a few points.

First, if the books teach dispensationalism as the correct interpretation of Revelation and the Bible as a whole, and the rapture figures prominently in the books and the game, then how can they say it doesn't teach a pre-tribulation rapture. I'm confused! There is also a Dominionist/Reconstructionist element here,which isn't surprising. Dominionism teaches that Christians have the right and responsibility to rule, to have dominion. Thus, the game at the minimum teaches the idea that Christians must take dominion over the land --- in response to the Anti-Christ. Good versus evil, black and white, us against them. When I play Age of Empires I know I'm playing a game, but this seems more than that.

As for killing in the name of Jesus. The Tribulation Force as described on the web site is an armed force. This isn't a pacifist group. Now maybe you do lose points by killing, but if I'm a 12 to 16 year old and I have a choice between being a special forces soldier and a nurse, I think I'm going to be the former. I may lose points, but I'll have fun. I've copied off from the web site the information about playing the game. You'll have to be the judge. You can also check out the Wikipedia article that gives a variety of responses and links. As for the theology, I just don't buy what the books offer and therefore what the game offers. Ultimately what it teaches is that it's us against them, and if you can't convert them, well what's left?


Gameplay
LEFT BEHIND: Eternal Forces is a Real Time Strategy game. You, as the player, control your forces from a vantage point high above the action.
You do not personally participate in the action; you command your units to perform tasks by giving orders via the game interface. You can order them where to go and what to do whenever you wish.
Lead the Tribulation Force from the book series, including Rayford, Chloe, Buck and Bruce against Nicolae Carpathia - the AntiChrist.
Conduct physical & spiritual warfare : using the power of prayer to strengthen your troops in combat and wield modern military weaponry throughout the game world.
Recover ancient scriptures and witness spectacular Angelic and Demonic activity as a direct consequence of your choices.
Command your forces through intense battles across a breathtaking, authentic depiction of New York City.

Control more than 30 units types -
from Prayer Warrior and Hellraiser to Spies, Special Forces and Battle Tanks!
Enjoy a robust single player experience across dozens of New York City maps in Story Mode – fighting in China Town , SoHo , Uptown and more!
Play multiplayer games as Tribulation Force or the AntiChrist's Global Community Peacekeepers with up to eight players via LAN or over the internet!

Comments

SJR said…
This statement is posted from an employee of Left Behind Games on behalf of Troy Lyndon, our Chief Executive Officer.

There has been in incredible amount of MISINFORMATION published in the media and in online blogs here and elsewhere.

Pacifist Christians and other groups are taking the game material out of context to support their own causes. There is NO “killing in the name of God” and NO “convert or die”. There are NO “negative portrayals of Muslims” and there are NO “points for killing”.

Please play the game demo for yourself (to at least level 5 of 40) to get an accurate perspective, or listen to what CREDIBLE unbiased experts are saying after reviewing the game at www.leftbehindgames.com/pages/controversy.htm

Then, we’d love to hear your feedback as an informed player.

The reality is that we’re receiving reports everyday of how this game is positively affecting lives by all who play it.

Thank you for taking the time to be a responsible blogger.
NYC said…
Hey, with so many people having an opinion about this game, how many have actually played it? And what credibility do they have? Focus on the Family has publications which can set the record straight for everyone…at http://www.pluggedinonline.com/thisweekonly/a0002989.cfm.
Robert Cornwall said…
I'm not sure that Focus on the Family is the best guarantor of it's value. Considering Jim Dobson's active participation on the right flank of the GOP and his own dominionist theological proclivities, I'm not surprised the Focus on the Family likes it.

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