Guitar Praise Stirs Up A Conversation (a.k.a.–Can There Be Such a Thing as a Christian Video Game?)

[Editors Note:  If the subject of Christianity or religion in general is something you can't handle in a mature way, then read no further.  Trolling will not be tolerated, so don't bother.]

First off, if you haven’t already, read this article on Gamastutra, and then come back.

Seriously.

Why are you still here?

Let me lay down this caveat–In case you don’t know, besides being an avid gamer, I work as a Pastor of Worship Arts at a church that numbers about 1000 weekly attendance.  My job is to use art to communicate biblical truth, be that through music, drama, dance, spoken word, whatever.  One of my main responsibilities is to lead the singing in our church, and I oversee close to 100 volunteers that comprise various styles of art and music, most of which could be classified as modern Christian rock in the latter’s case.  In fact, I write my own music that we sing in the services as well.  My job is something I’m proud of and feel blessed to be a part of, but I don’t usually talk it about here.

Ever since Rock Band came out…nay since I first sat down to play Guitar Hero, I’ve run into people in my circle of association who absolutely love the track lists of these games, and yet can see the potential of releasing a selection of music by Christian artists.  It’s not uncommon to hear someone say to me, “Wouldn’t it be cool if they had some David Crowder, or Switchfoot, or Mae, or Future of Forestry tracks in here?” (ok, maybe that last one is just me).

I understand that Christ followers are now a minority in this world, and an unpopular one at that, but there’s a whole slew of music I listen to (good music too!) that hasn’t yet made it to the mainstream music rhythm games.

I think if Harmonix branched out and did a few genre track packs, and including a track pack from some popular Christian artists, that it would be more successful than most people would think.

That hasn’t happened yet, but what has happened is some random company is putting out a Guitar Hero clone with some really great songs, all focused on music that has lyrics that are based on scriptural truth.  Unfortunately, like most “christian” media, it will probably be a half effort and suck beyond belief (I’m looking at you, Left Behind, *gag*).  It’s PC only, and it’s unclear whether or not it’s infringed on trademarked assets from the mainstream rhythm games, but I’d be unsurprised if that was the case.

Most gaming websites have taken to the standard Christian bashing that I’m used to, So imagine my surprise when Tycho from Penny Arcade had a fairly level headed outlook on it:

If some Christian music is terrible, well, it takes many of its cues from the greater culture. The standard ratios apply. Of course, most of my reference points are ancient now, because I don’t spend a lot of time in the House of the Lord.  I just know that a blanket dismissal of this music is unwise.

Even though he only references cheesy 80’s hair band Christian music (and there’s a place for that cheesiness too!), I was thankful that he didn’t dismiss the idea out of hand.  As he said, and most of us know, Christian music has the same amount of good and bad material out there.  It’s just it’s own little community.

On top of all that, I came across a great article on Gamasutra, which challenges the word Christian being used as an adjective.  It does an excellent job of pointing out the flaws of most christian art mediums today, while at the same time defending it from being harassed unfairly by people with their own agenda looking to Christ-bash.  They even manage to quote one of my favorite modern theologians, Rob Bell:

“Something can be labeled ‘Christian’ and not be true or good… It is possible for music to be labeled ‘Christian’ and be terrible music. It could lack creativity and inspiration. The lyrics could be recycled clichés. That ‘Christian’ band could actually be giving Jesus a bad name because they aren’t a great band. It is possible for a movie to be a ‘Christian’ movie and to be a terrible movie. It may actually desecrate the art form in its quality and storytelling and craft.

“Just because it is a ‘Christian’ book by a ‘Christian’ author and it was purchased in a ‘Christian’ bookstore doesn’t mean it is all true or good or beautiful. A ‘Christian’ political group puts me in an awkward position: What if I disagree with them? Am I less of a Christian? What if I’m convinced the ‘Christian’ thing to do is to vote the exact opposite? Christian is a great noun and a poor adjective.”

I would absolutely agree with that, and yet I think there’s a place for music that glorifies God, both explicity in the lyrics, or implicit through the intent of the artist and their life.  In fact, It’s my personal belief that there is no greater thing that we can do with our talent than to use it to honor and glorify and point back to the creator.

The problem is that most christian mediums do that in a mediocre way.  How sad, especially considering that it used to be the opposite.  The greatest pieces of music and art several hundred years ago came from the church and were directed to God.  Now many times christian culture is simply a poor reflection of popular culture.

The Gamasutra article ends thusly:

Christians should not be demanding video games prefixed with a faith label, as if that cheap and easy classification provides some kind of invisible moral safety net for their and their children’s media consumption.

Rather, believers should simply be demanding good and beautiful games that delight in creativity, make people happy, present or explore the world in interesting ways and maybe, just maybe enable us to catch a glimpse of their God, from whom all good things are claimed to flow.

Amen, brother.

–WG

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