There is a fine line between Christian video games and video games made by Christians.
Or:
- Christian movies vs. movies made by Christians
- Christian blogs vs. blogs written by Christians
- Christian art vs. art created by Christians
- Christian novels vs. novels written by Christians
- Christian music vs. music recorded by Christians
If something is written, created, filmed, recorded and made by Christians, traces of Christ can usually be found in it. This isn’t necessarily the case for those things that are produced to be targeted towards Christians.
Take Christian video games, for example:
Even though these are a joke, doesn’t this leave a bad taste in everyone’s mouth?
Sure, these screens are a mockery, but so is a lot of so called Christian “___________”.
(Here are some more “Christian Version” video games.)
[via Dorkly]
Raoul Snyman says
I seriously doubt any of those is actually real. If they’re from Dorkly, I’m betting they are just made to make fun of Christians.
I do, however, have an issue with folks who say, “We’re Christians, but we’re not a Christian X” (usually “band”) – is there something wrong with being a Christian band? It just smells of being ashamed of the gospel.
The some folks then reply with, “yes, but then they can’t reach a greater audience.” Right, so they are looking for fame and wealth and whatnot? Cause with the lyrics of those songs, they sure won’t be spreading the gospel!
(As a side note, you do get some bands that don’t specifically mention God or Jesus in their lyrics, but when you meet them, and you see the shows they do, you have no doubt that they are Christians)
Music aside (because it’s a totally different ball game to technology), games are what you make of them, to a certain extent. I personally enjoy a little blood and gore every now and then to ease my stress, but I don’t play that with my son around, and I am careful not to only play that.
For instance, there are TONS of really good indie games out there that engage your mind rather than being full of fancy graphics and lots of blood. Browse around Steam or Desura (I prefer Desura as they are in the process of releasing a Linux client), and you’ll find a ton of great indie games.
As for Christian-themed games? Bring them on! Just don’t be ridiculous about it.
Jordan Wiseman says
“is there something wrong with being a Christian band? It just smells of being ashamed of the gospel.”
While I most agree with you, I can’t help but wonder if bands who don’t want to call themselves a Christian band aren’t ashamed of the gospel, but flat-out ashamed of being labeled a Christian band. Let’s be honest, “Christian” anything tends to be riddled with mediocrity, as sad as it is.
Take Switchfoot for example. They’re all Christians, but don’t want to be labeled as a Christian band for a variety of reasons, but I can guarantee that if they were signed to a Christian label instead of being independent, they wouldn’t be nearly as good as they are today.
Eric Dye says
Exactly.
Chandos says
The first Switchfoot album makes your point for you…
Raoul Snyman says
Have you ever heard the first DC Talk album? Or the first Newsboys album? EVERY band’s first album sounds horrible compared to their latest one. It doesn’t matter what they label themselves as.
Eric Dye says
Of course they’re fake (although historically, Christian video games have been just as much of a joke).
As for music, I think these bands are setting themselves apart from the Christian Music Biz as a labeled genre.