Everyone enjoys a love story. Boy meets girl, girl is attracted to boy, boy does his best to impress girl, boy later finds out that girl is really a goddess…wait, what? Yes, that’s basically how the scenario goes in Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete, a JRPG which came out originally on Sega Saturn, then PlayStation One and PSP as Lunar: Silver Star Harmony. It’s one of those classic games with a plot, characters and atmosphere that show why video games can be just as entertaining as any fiction book.
It’s about Alex and Luna, two young teenagers out looking for adventure and mystery. One longs to be the future DragonMaster and protector of the Goddess Athena while the other just wants to make sure that he’s safe and brought home in one piece. Together, they fight off monsters, discover a floating magical city, and join with new friends while thwarting the plans of an evil emperor out to rule the world as it’s god.
I played this game many years ago on my PlayStation solely because it looked like an anime from the box art, with no other knowledge going in. That goes to show my love for anime and video games doing a crossover! As I went on the journey to save Lunar from darkness, I noticed the various churches, worship practices, statues, and priests that were dotted throughout the game. There is also a focus on the deity Althena who created the world of Lunar after a great war with Zophar, a god of destruction. She won this war, banished him, and created Lunar where the survivors of the four races from the Blue Star (Earth, but it’s never stated) are sent. Over time, the people worship her as their god but she does not intervene in their affairs. This got me wondering how I could compare this game to real life Christianity, and if it holds up.
It’s interesting to see how Althena never helps anyone that calls out her name, yet Jehovah God, the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacab does respond to our cry when we seek Him. This is very important to mention because if you were to follow the theology of Lunar: Silver Star Story then you would imagine that we serve a silent, inactive God.
Deuteronomy 4:28-29
28 There, in a foreign land, you will worship idols made from wood and stone—gods that neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell. 29 But from there you will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him..
*SPOILERS AHEAD! BIG ONES BY THE WAY!*
The main female protagonist, Luna, is crucial to mention. Around the end of the game, you find out that she is actually the reincarnation of Althena who gave up all her power to become a human and live amongst her creation. Dyne (the former DragonMaster and one of her protectors) convinced her that humanity would be fine without her aid, so she became a baby and was raised by Alex’s parents. Sound familiar? (John 1:10-14)
John 1:14
14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
The creator of the game’s story was written by Kei Shigema, but I’m not sure if he used the bible or any other Christian reference for the story even though there are parallels. There’s also Zophar, the form of evil in the game that is out to destroy the world. You could say he’s the devil of Lunar, yet he’s never given that title. As you can see, there lots of material here for a believer in Christ to find in this game.
Speaking of Althena, being the goddess of the world, she seems frail and in need of protection from her DragonMasters, yet our God is quite the contrary. Instead of needing assistance, He comes to our aid (Psalm 121:2). Jesus Christ came down from Heaven, was born from a virgin birth and became a man, lived about 33 years (scholars debate, I’m not going there!), was crucified, died and resurrected on the third day. Unlike Athena who eventually dies naturally with Alex of old age and never returns, our God is still alive and sitting on His throne in Heaven (Matthew 19:28).
This gives me great comfort because throughout my life I have seen His hand over every area that I give unto Him. Whether it’s my marriage, money, job, the opportunities given to me to write here at Beneath The Tangles or my health, I’m daily grateful to have a God that hears me when I call. He does not have any favorites, nor “special” ones (Romans 2:11). Those that call on His name will be saved, so I encourage you, if you haven’t sought God for answers or help before, do it today. I challenge you to take some time alone with Him and open your heart to the One that made you, loves you, and is your Heavenly Father.
Not a goddess of the moon.
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Well done. The connections you made were thought-provoking.
Thanks Robert appreciate that, God bless ya.
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