Biblical Metaphor in Game of Thrones: The Raven and the Prophet

Man on Fire

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Bad News comes on black wings. So the saying goes from Game of Thrones.

"The Raven." Edger Allan Poe.

Prophets in the Bible often came bearing bad news. Jeremiah, for example, walked around with an Ox Yoke to show the Bondage people would be enduring. Isaiah walked around naked for three years to show the nakedness they would endure as they were taken away from their homes.

The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, "There is still one prophet through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah." "The king should not say such a thing," Jehoshaphat replied. (1 Kings 22:8)

A Prophet was not a popular person in his day. He often carried a hard word.

Ezekiel was a Watchman of God. A Watchman sits in his tower and watches for danger.

The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, 3 and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, 4 then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head. 5 Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves. 6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.’ (Ezekiel 33:1-6)

When the Watchman saw danger, it was his job to warn the city. Given he didn't do his job, God would put the blame on him. Given he warned people and they did nothing, it is nobodies fault but theirs.

Many Priests typically wear black. There is Johnny Cash "The Man in Black." A Prophet may be a "Man in Black" like a Raven bringing bad news?

I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. (Luke 10:19)

26 To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— (Revelations 2:26)

In explaining the Trinity, in terms of authority, Jesus Christ is to The Father as Joseph was to Pharaoh. Jesus Christ could be said to be Hand of the King. Power starts with Father God. Power was given or delegated to Jesus Christ.

"Game of Thrones Theme Song."

There are more. Let me know if this sparks your interest? The following is a song from the Sons of Anarchy soundtrack a found a few days ago for the first time that seems to fit well with these metaphors:
 
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grasping the after wind

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I see nothing whatsoever edifying for a Christian in Game of Thrones.
Nor anything that relates to the Bible.

I would agree. It is entertaining but not edifying and certainly not in line with Christian morality or Christian theology.
 
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Man on Fire

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I see nothing whatsoever edifying for a Christian in Game of Thrones.
Nor anything that relates to the Bible.

I would agree. It is entertaining but not edifying and certainly not in line with Christian morality or Christian theology.

In the principalities there may be themes. These themes or ideas represent something.

"Hand of The King" may be a theme. This theme or idea is present in The Bible story of Joseph. Joseph was like a Prime Minister to Pharaoh in a way. He had delegated authority. This theme or idea is present in "Game of Thrones."

Bad news comes on Black Wings? There is a theme or idea there. It is representative of something.


  • Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, (John 5:22)
  • Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (Matthew 28:18)
  • 26 To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— 27 that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give that one the morning star. 29 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Revelations 2:26-29)

The Father delegated authority. Jesus Christ would be Hand of the King in a way?

Viewing the Trinity in terms of authority, and Jesus Christ as "Hand of The King" may help solve some points of contention. It is a way to order or frame our thoughts. Game of Thrones would provide a teachable moment, and be something that may currently be on many people's minds. The Orthodox and the issue with where The Hoy Ghost comes from exactly for example.

Link: Eastern Orthodox teaching regarding the Filioque - Wikipedia

In a variety of Sci Fi and Fantasy there has been a twist, at times, depending on the series, of various things that may be in the spiritual similar to mythologies. They often play on themes or ideas.
 
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Man on Fire

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  • We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Given you do not understand the OP, you should humble yourself before God and pray for understanding. God is awesome. He is a jealous God. Where people were thinking about Game of Thrones, we may capture their thoughts, and bring them in line with Christ.

For example, in Ancient Rome, there were hand gestures. These hand gestures were believed to have pagan symbolism. Given Christians stated they were pagan, and rejected them, they would be giving up something to Satan. They would be giving up something to the devil. Satan has no power. He is a liar. God is a creator. He created it all. It all belongs to him. When you see Orthodox icons, many of the Saints and Jesus Christ have gestures. These gestures had particular meaning or symbolism.

What does this hand gesture mean in Icons?

Satan is a liar with a Paintbrush. The Lord comes as a thief.
 
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~Anastasia~

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While I think it's a good thing that a right mindset can help us to see the good and true wherever it might be ...

My husband once borrowed Game of Thrones from Redbox without realizing what it was. Probably the first disc of the first season. I watched a few episodes, but had to stop. It appeared to be degenerating and brought images to my mind I wish I'd never allowed in. Certainly not edifying. I'm not surprised there a bit of backlash with suggesting such a source is not edifying.

Murder of children and near-graphic sex, including same-sex activity is hardly the sort of things we should be looking for God in.
 
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Man on Fire

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While I think it's a good thing that a right mindset can help us to see the good and true wherever it might be ...

My husband once borrowed Game of Thrones from Redbox without realizing what it was. Probably the first disc of the first season. I watched a few episodes, but had to stop. It appeared to be degenerating and brought images to my mind I wish I'd never allowed in. Certainly not edifying. I'm not surprised there a bit of backlash with suggesting such a source is not edifying.

Murder of children and near-graphic sex, including same-sex activity is hardly the sort of things we should be looking for God in.

All those things, in some way, are in the Bible or referenced there of.
 
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~Anastasia~

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All those things, in some way, are in the Bible or referenced there of.
Oh yes there's everything in the Bible. Including inappropriate behavior with animals and human sacrifice to pagan gods. That doesn't mean they make edifying entertainment to recreate and watch.

I'm not demanding that you or anyone else not watch it. I'm just saying that I'm not surprised that Christians would object to using it as an object lesson for Christian themes.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
 
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Man on Fire

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Oh yes there's everything in the Bible. Including inappropriate behavior with animals and human sacrifice to pagan gods. That doesn't mean they make edifying entertainment to recreate and watch.

I'm not demanding that you or anyone else not watch it. I'm just saying that I'm not surprised that Christians would object to using it as an object lesson for Christian themes.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

There had to be a falling away. Given your children go to a public school, on the back of the school bus in grade school they are being hit with a variety of stimuli. What stimuli? What does the graffiti in a 5th Grade bathroom look like at an elementary school?

You do not have to watch Game of Thrones to be saved. Given someone did, they now have an in or teachable moment to talk to people about God? Ignoring that ugly things have been happening or do happen is blinding.
 
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~Anastasia~

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There had to be a falling away. Given your children go to a public school, on the back of the school bus in grade school they are being hit with a variety of stimuli. What stimuli? What does the graffiti in a 5th Grade bathroom look like at an elementary school?

You do not have to watch Game of Thrones to be saved. Given someone did, they now have an in or teachable moment to talk to people about God? Ignoring that ugly things have been happening or do happen is blinding.
As you like.

And no, my child wasn't hit with such stimuli as you imagine. I work in public schools and there's actually a fairly tight control on that level of depravity at school (though it's not impossible a child could bring in contraband). But it's certainly not something the senses are automatically assaulted with in every public school. Some things are bad in some schools, but not to the level of what I saw on the Game of Thrones DVD, or I'd find another job.

I'm not sure what you mean by "you don't have to watch Game of Thrones to be saved".

I'm simply saying, here in a forum about spiritual formation, that exposing oneself to graphic depictions of evil might not be the best path to godly spiritual formation, and that I'm not surprised that other Christians agree with that point.

I'm not looking to argue with you though. If you disagree, that's your right. Carry on.
 
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Man on Fire

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I too have worked in public schools. I find that many students have been exposed to a variety of stimuli, and some parents are bad. Their kids share things their parents allow them to watch. You may be surprised at what a lot of them are aware of.

Game of Thrones is a teachable moment. There are a variety of spiritual allegories or metaphors used in the series. Given someone has read the books or watched the TV show, it is something that could be discussed.

  • For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the LORD. Live as children of light (Ephesians 5:8)
  • You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. (1 Thessalonians 5:5)

As Christians we are to build the Kingdom of God. We are children of the light. Given you are living well, and doing the right things, you may not have to be exposed to the darkness. To deal with the darkness, and to see, some Christians may have to deal with some ugly truths.
 
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Man on Fire

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I have been doing a variety of things for God. I have worked a lot with allegories for the Spiritual. The other day, I discovered Origen. Origen was an early Christian philosopher. I don't know that I agree with him on everything, but in terms of Allegorical Interpretation of Scripture, he may be close.

In various forms of media, particularly music videos, fantasy and Sci fi, various artists or writers have used Allegories for one reason or another. Maybe someone wasn't even trying and just made something. Maybe they did it on purpose.


Quote from article:

Allegorical interpretation of scripture

According to Origen, there are two kinds of Biblical literature, which are found in both the Old and New Testaments: historia ("history, or narrative") and nomothesia ("legislation or ethical prescription").[145] Origen expressly states that the Old and New Testaments should be read together and according to the same rules.[147] Origen further taught that there were three different ways in which passages of scripture could be interpreted.[147][30] The "flesh" was the literal, historical interpretation of the passage;[147][30] the "soul" was the moral message behind the passage;[147][30] and the "spirit" was the eternal, incorporeal reality that the passage conveyed.[147][30] In Origen's exegesis, the Book of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs represent perfect examples of the bodily, soulful, and spiritual components of scripture respectively.[148]

Origen saw the "spiritual" interpretation as the deepest and most important meaning of the text[148] and taught that some passages held no literal meaning at all and that their meanings were purely allegorical.[148] Nonetheless, he stressed that "the passages which are historically true are far more numerous than those which are composed with purely spiritual meanings."[148] Origen noticed that the accounts of Jesus's life in the four canonical gospels contain irreconcilable contradictions,[149][150][151] but he argued that these contradictions did not undermine the spiritual meanings of the passages in question.[150][151] Origen's idea of a twofold creation was based on an allegorical interpretation of the creation story found in the first two chapters of the Book of Genesis.[129] The first creation, described in Genesis 1:26, was the creation of the primeval spirits,[152] who are made "in the image of God" and are therefore incorporeal like Him;[152] the second creation described in Genesis 2:7 is when the human souls are given ethereal, spiritual bodies[153] and the description in Genesis 3:21 of God clothing Adam and Eve in "tunics of skin" refers to the transformation of these spiritual bodies into corporeal ones.[152] Thus, each phase represents a degradation from the original state of incorporeal holiness.[152]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origen
 
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