*Note: there is an audio version of this article:
Minecraft can be seen throughout the Bible in more ways than you may think. Let’s start with the Nether…
There are several verses in the Bible that actually use the word Nether, of which I’ve picked two-Ezekiel 32:18, and Ezekiel 32:24:
“Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt, and cast them down, even her, and the daughters of the famous nations, unto the nether parts of the earth, with them that go down into the pit.” (Ezekiel 32:18)
“There is Elam and all her multitude round about her grave, all of them slain, fallen by the sword, which are gone down uncircumcised into the nether parts of the earth, which caused their terror in the land of the living; yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to the pit.” (Ezekiel 32:24)
Taken together, these verses link the Nether to “the pit”- Hell. Another way you can tell that the Nether is synonymous with Hell is because you hear wailing and gnashing of teeth in the Nether, as described in Matthew 13:50 when speaking about Hell.
It can’t be a mere coincidence that in Psalm 139:8 It says: “If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.” AND it just so happens that players are unable to make a bed in the Nether. As of this writing, any attempt to create a bed in the Nether ends in a virtual explosion!
The Bible is the answer to everything. It even shows the way to Hell in Matthew 7:13:
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:”
This verse and the Nether verses are connected, and the tying link is in Jeremiah 17:1:
“The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;”
Here we see how the Bible reveals exactly how Minecraft goes against the word of God and is leading millions of devoted players into a trap:
Players take a “point of diamond” (a diamond pickaxe), and use it to create a wide gate, that leads directly to destruction, the “nether parts of the earth.” Then, the game rewards you for it.
In 2 Corinthians 13:1 it says “This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” We have just been shown several. Today, God gives you a choice:
“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:”
Today is the day of salvation, choose life-choose the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Video Games and the Bible 
This…. is….. AWESOME!!
What if you play this game but avoid ever going to the nether? is it still sinful?
That’s a great question, Troy!
“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17)
The issue is not that going to the Nether is sinful. That article just shows to what extent Minecraft is built on a corrupt foundation (Psalm 11:3, Psalm 127:1), as with anything that is not founded on Christ. I cannot tell you that it is sinful, but if you are truly a born-again believer in Christ, ask God what you should do. Read your Bible and whichever way God leads, follow him.
However, if you are not saved, the Nether is not half as bad as Hell, and you DO NOT want to end up there (Luke 12:4-5, Luke 16:22-23, Mark 9:43-48, Psalm 9:16-17). If you do, you will be there forever, and it will only be the righteous judgment of God because you did not believe on Jesus Christ who came, died, and rose again to save you.
God bless you, and good luck with your search.
You people are idiots
Your ability to take mateaphors literally and entirely out of context is astounding.
Man, I am a devout Christian and all, but you’re reading and looking WAYYY TOO FAR into things. I hope God will help you take a step back and chill out. Also, you seem to have all this fun, playing all these games, then write about why others shouldn’t play them, making some pretty absurd connections between things. Some of what you write is good, but much of it is out there.
Hi Bob, thanks for taking the time to write. In your comment, I spotted two main points:
1. That I look too deeply into things and, therefore, make some “pretty absurd connections.”
I can’t say I entirely disagree with you on this one. Though I stand by what I write, and believe that my arguments, connections and conclusions are all valid, I think they can sound a bit ridiculous because:
A) The subject matter seems innocuous (as in the case of Minecraft).
B) I haven’t had the time to build a large body of evidence around a series (like Mario or Alan Wake) as I have with Assassin’s Creed, Halo, Tomb Raider, The Legend of Zelda, etc.
However, I don’t think these reasons alone are enough to discount the points the articles make.
2. Your second point seemed to be that, I “seem to have all this fun, playing all these games, then write about why others shouldn’t play them.”
First, I actually don’t play most of the games you see on this site. Because of the colossal amount of footage, quotations and video game information freely available on the internet-along with my personal experience and knowledge of gaming as a gamer, journalist and former addict-it is usually not necessary to physically play a game to discuss it knowledgeably and with authority.
Second, it is not my responsibility to tell someone what they should and should not be doing. I simply state what is in the video games, and what is in the Bible. What someone decides to do from there is between them and God. In the case of a Christian, I earnestly believe the Holy Spirit will lead them in whichever way they need to go-whether it is to play a game, not play it, or discontinue playing video games altogether.
It really comes down to liberty, and each person’s individual walk with God:
“For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.” (Romans 14:2-8)
“But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.
I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.” (Romans 14:10-14)
A warning from the same chapter:
“Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” (Romans 14:22-23)
God bless you Bob, have a great day.
Your Friend,
Nelson
I am a parent who’s child keeps begging her for this game. Something in my spirit keeps telling me no. I then start to research and have read several articles. Thank you for sharing your opinion. I do not believe it is wise to play this game. I am not a gamer, this makes it a bit more challenging as a parent to decide which they can play and what not to play. This game seems to draw kids in and if my observations are correct they want to play it constantly. If they do not get to play, what does the behavior become like? How honest are parents being about the issues they see their children having because of video games? If they are begging, whining, crying, angry, jealous, pretty much willing to do anything for the games and the systems to play them, then what would one call this? Sure sounds like an addiction from where I come from!
If your child acts that way about it, I think that’s why your spirit is telling you not to purchase it.
Are there any video games that are not sinful to play? I have stopped playing a lot of the games that are featured on this site because of the reasons I have seen. So I am looking for any good games to play that are not sinful or satanic. Thanks.
The ‘sinfulness’ of a game is, ultimately, between you and God (barring a few elements).
I think this is most comparable to the situation found in Romans 14:2-23.
If you believe a game is sinful, find an alternative–there’s tons of amazing, fairly innocent games in a number of genres for those willing to look! Many are created by independent developers that need support, and of these, quite a few can be found in our “Review” section or YouTube channel.
However, if you find the Liberty/grace to continue playing a game or series, enjoy it. Let God lead you where he will and everything tends to take care of itself. 🙂
Hope that helps and you find what you’re looking for!
Your Friend,
Nelson