![]() The majority of my efforts in researching the existence of Christian input on BoI often yields apologetics concerning a defense in favor of BoI’s imagery as benign, reviews that are more emotional than analytical, or they simply do not address the content concerns at all. ![]() Unfortunately, one lens from which criticism is lacking is that from the perspective of Christianity, the “inspiration” of BoI’s plot. The interpretations of what exactly transpires as story beyond the intro of The Binding of Isaac through its dozen-plus endings are as bountiful as they are fascinating I am particularly fond of those addressing the psychosis Isaac suffers as a result of residing in comprehensive dysfunction: divorced parents, absentee father, (mother’s) post abortion stress syndrome, and malnutrition. As his mother bursts into his room, knife in hand, to confirm her allegiance to the voice from above, Isaac hurls himself “down into the unknown depths below.” At this point, the camera pans out, showing Isaac and his “pet” fly beaming at this imaginary narrative that he has just finished creating. He conveniently stumbles upon a trapdoor that he had never noticed before, hidden under his rug, which leads to the basement. He panics, looking for a place to escape, but cannot for the window is barred like a prison cell. TO PROVE YOUR LOVE AND DEVOTION, I REQUIRE A SACRIFICE! YOUR SON, ISAAC, WILL BE THIS SACRIFICE! GO INTO HIS ROOM, AND END HIS LIFE AS AN OFFERING TO ME TO PROVE YOU LOVE ME ABOVE ALL ELSE!” She complies and grabs a knife, much to the terror of an innocent Isaac witnessing this process from the crack in the door of his room. The voice from above returns once again, saying, “YOU HAVE DONE AS I’VE ASKED! BUT I STILL QUESTION YOUR DEVOTION TO ME! TO PROVE YOUR FAITH, I WILL ASK ONE MORE THING OF YOU. The Binding of Isaac begins with the titular character engaged in typical things that amuse children such as “draw pictures and play with toys” while his mother watches “Christian broadcasts on the television.” One day, his mother hears a “voice from above” which says, “YOUR SON HAS BECOME CORRUPTED BY SIN! HE NEEDS TO BE SAVED!” Isaac’s mother then removes “everything that was evil from his life,” which included his toys, his GameBoy, and even his clothes! The voice from above returns and tells his mother that Isaac’s soul is still corrupt! “HE MUST BE CUT OFF FROM ALL THAT IS EVIL IN THIS WORLD AND CONFESS HIS SINS!” His mother complies, and locks Isaac in his room. Spoilers, ahoy! “The Binding of Isaac” by Lixuu This piece will not be exhaustive in its analysis of the franchise’s lore it will instead critically address the most crucial themes and icons pertaining to the relationship between The Binding of Isaac, Christianity, and the player. For those who are simply interested in BoI in terms of its merit as a video game, you will have to look elsewhere. Consider the subtitle to this special edition of Backloggery Beatdown as a Content Warning, if not also the entirety of this first page, for this editorial is dedicated to almost everything The Binding of Isaac ( BoI) has to offer in terms of potentially spiritually compromising content.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |