Game of ‘Reality’

1 Corinthians 9:19-23, “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.”

Realism is something many writers strive for, but man, is it difficult to nail down. Some argue over what’s realistic and what isn’t. Other times we debate whether or not getting everything accurate in a story is more important than simply making it entertaining. Even then we never seem to reach a consensus over either question. Still, most everyone wants some level of realism in their fiction, and some franchises are applauded for not pulling any punches period. One such franchise is the ever gritty Game of Thrones television series. Based on the book series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin, this show prides itself on pushing the envelope on life’s unfairness and power’s corruption. The series itself was even heavily influenced by the War of the Roses that waged from 1455 to 1487. However, it’s shows like that which remind me, Biblically speaking, how unfiltered ‘realism’ can go too far - even if well intentioned.