Squid Game as Anti-Gospel Lecture Series

It has long been argued that everyone is a theologian promoting through their actions, words, products, and attitudes something about whatever god(s) they either do or don’t believe in and that god(s)’s relationship to the world and those in it.  If this is true, then some of the most influential theologians today are not lecturing in the academic commons of universities or seminaries; instead, they are those directors and creators of viral videos and/or tv/streaming series that enjoy wide acclaim, accumulate countless views, and are reiterated by cultural memes, satires, commentary, and popular discussion. Believers living among such voices must not only be aware of such implicit and explicit theologies that are celebrated and revered in our culture, but they must also be prepared to point people who don’t even realize they are being lectured to toward true biblical theology by correcting where competing theologies get it wrong and communicating in compelling ways what is right concerning the Lord God and his relationship to the world.  

Enter Squid Game—an immensely popular new (though now considered only relatively new) Netflix series that secured the record for the biggest series launch when it eclipsed 111M views shortly after its release. What have over a hundred million viewers taken their time to observe? The answer is a nine-episode Korean thriller that follows Seong Gi-hum—a desperate man who has hit rock bottom—and hundreds of others who are equally destitute as they compete in an extreme series of games for the equivalent of about 38 million dollars (US currency). What becomes clear early in the series is that only one person can win the prize money and those who lose any of the competitions end up paying with their lives. For a host of reasons, I cannot warmly recommend viewing this series to those reading this. However, assuming some will and don’t want to have anything important exposed, I must mention that I will be revealing things about this show in the remainder of this discussion that might spoil elements of the story (grim and uninspired though it may be).  

Given that hundreds of millions of people around the world have watched this series and have also, no doubt, been introduced to, if not, influenced by the implicit and explicit theology that it consciously or subconsciously promotes, I could not help but seek to expose its narrative for what it is (at least in part)—an anti-gospel message—with the hopes of directing people to a vastly superior story.  

The Gospel Narrative 

Before one can understand how Squid Game portrays what might be described as an anti-gospel narrative, she must first come to grips with important elements of the true gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel message begins with a perfect world that God created. In this world, the Lord’s most special creations—human beings—were uniquely designed to relate to him personally and gloriously. However, shortly after God completed his creation and established proper boundaries to keep it that way, mankind disobeyed God, allowing sin to infect everything about the human person and the world that he/she inhabits. As a result, the creatures that were made to relate meaningfully to God were separated from him (both in life and in death), became indebted in their own iniquity, and were rendered woefully incapable of achieving, working, winning, or paying their way back into the Divine’s good graces. It was in this desperate situation that the benevolent Creator of the universe decided to enter the broken world in a most special way—through his Son Jesus (God made flesh). This Jesus lived a perfect life, was punished for the sins of others when he was crucified on a cross, and rose again three days later, paying the sin debt that humanity owes and defeating the power of death for all who would trust in him. Placing faith in Jesus’ person and work results in reconciliation with God and eternal life (where wrath and punishment because of sin once ruled). All this is made possible through grace for those who believe. One day, the same Jesus who came to die will return to reign with his people in a new heaven and a new earth for all eternity. This is the greatest story and it communicates an accurate understanding of God, the human person, sin, redemption, and hope found in Jesus Christ.  

The Anti-Gospel Narrative of Squid Game 

The gospel narrative and Squid Game’s narrative begin in much the same way. Both depict people in over their heads in immense debt (the gospel involves debt to sin and for the game participants it is mostly monetary debt to creditors or loan sharks). The theme of resulting desperation rings true in both stories also as we see people seemingly unable to have their very real issues fixed in their own strength. However, something intervenes to provide an answer for the sorry figures in Squid Game in the form of an opportunity to win liberation from their problems in a series of games. Throughout these games, it is the cleverness and ability of the players that takes centerstage and their personal strength is awarded with opportunities to advance closer to victory. Along the way, those who can’t compete well die (with the kind of violent efficiency that seems to undervalue human life altogether). The main character—who I guess you might call a protagonist—is thrust into this scenario and ends up as the last man standing, winning the vast sum of money and “freedom” from the crippling debt he owed. However, though victorious, Seong Gi-hum can’t enjoy his winnings as he remembers what he and others were made to go through to earn it. He wanders for a year or so and finds himself in much the same position he was when the story began—bitter and depressed. As time progresses, the viewer and Seong Gi-hum learn that the game’s creator had entered the competition as one of the contestants—not to save the contestants, but to observe the competition firsthand. This creator is eventually taken out of the game in a clandestine way, sparing him the pain of a violent death in the dystopia that he himself created. It is also revealed that the creator of the game is terminally ill and desired one more cheap thrill at others’ expense before he died. The games have become a tradition in which the creator invites the super-affluent to make large wagers on players and the outcomes of individual events throughout each year’s competition. This tradition appears poised to continue even after the creator dies. The show is a pessimistic look at humanity that glorifies horror and exalts the human capacity to work his way out of trouble. However, even when such a victory is attained, viewers also see that it cannot be enjoyed by the one who has worked so hard to win.   

Two Narratives Collide 

By now I’m sure you have already identified some of the ways Squid Game serves as a sharp antithesis to the gospel message of Jesus Christ. However, in case you missed some of the important parallels between these two stories, here is a helpful list.  

Benevolent Creator Vs. Selfish Sadist 

In the gospel story the Creator is an all-powerful and benevolent God who desires to share his love for his Son in the Spirit with others—namely, human beings (Neh. 9:6; 1 John 3:1). This is why he creates them in the first place and is highly interested in redeeming them when they go astray (John 3:16). In Squid Game, the creator figure is a selfish sadist who has near-absolute control over the domain of the competition and its competitors which he manages for cheep thrills and personal gain.  

The Image of God in Man Vs. Expendable Game Pieces 

According to the Bible, human beings are fearfully and wonderfully made with great purpose, originally equipped with the capacity to reflect the Creator’s glory (Gen. 1:26-27; 2:7; Psalm 139; Eph 2:10). In fact, even after the fall, God repeatedly reiterates that human life, even in its broken condition, is not only highly valued, but loved and should be treated as such (Gen. 9:6; James 3:9). In Squid Game, humans are portrayed more like expendable pieces on a diabolical board game. They are there simply to entertain those who are watching from the outside placing their bets as they would in a horse or dog race. Characters come and go with such great frequency and violence that it is easy to become desensitized to what one is seeing as human life is snuffed out with gruesome efficiency.  

Salvation by Grace through Faith Vs. Salvation by Works 

The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches salvation by grace through faith and reveals that men and women are totally incapable of doing anything in their own power to be reconciled to the Creator and repay the immeasurable debt they owe because of sin (Eph. 2:8-9). Salvation is offered as a gift from God to those who place their trust in who Jesus is (God made flesh) and what he accomplished (redemption through the cross and empty grave) (Rom. 10:9-10). The anti-gospel of Squid Game teaches that freedom from desperation and debt is achieved by personal performance in the series of competitions that have been laid out for them. It is their cleverness, agility, and effort that will see them through to the end. However, even in this series, all but one proves they were up to the challenge. The majority learn that even their best efforts aren’t enough to bring them salvation.  

Savior Sacrifices himself Vs. People are Sacrificed for a Chance 

The narrative of God reaches its climax when God sacrifices his only begotten Son to redeem people from their sin (John 3:16-17). This willingness to send Jesus and see him killed for undeserving sinners reveals the immeasurable grace and love of this benevolent Creator (Rom. 5:8). The narrative of Squid Game involves people sacrificing themselves for a chance at redemption and everyone, save Seong Gi-hum, coming up short. In fact, when the creator of the games is due to lose his life by losing one of the competitions (after inserting himself into the games as one of its contestants), it is later learned that he escapes unscathed, only to die a year or so later. In this show, people, not the creators, make the sacrifice and this they do for the sick pleasure of those betting on the action.  

Saved to Life Abundant Vs. Saved to Guilt and Heartache 

The biblical gospel teaches that those who are saved by grace through faith in Christ are given eternal life and this in abundant supply (John 10:10; 11:25). This realization brings hope and peace amid a broken and fallen world as believers anticipate a preferred future with their Lord and Savior in heaven (1 Thess. 4:13ff). The anti-gospel of Squid Game paints a grim picture of the victory it offers as the winner of the competition is plagued with grief and guilt, unable to enjoy his winnings and the security it provides. As soon as he begins to finally turn a corner, he is so riddled with the desire for revenge for what he experienced, that he seeks to reinsert himself into the games to destroy those who are keeping it going. In at least this last observation, it should be noted that the creators of Squid Game do get something right—any salvation that can be earned in one’s own strength does not last and does not ultimately satisfy.  

These observations/comparisons between the true gospel and the anti-gospel of Squid Game are important to identify given the international popularity of this show and the anticipation many have for its second season. Believers would do well to recognize that many millions of people who are viewing these episodes are not only being entertained by a provocative new show, they are also being lectured to in ways that are diametrically opposed to Scripture and what it has to say about who God is and his relationship with mankind. Now that the subversive theology of this series has been exposed, may we be ready to meaningfully engage those who have seen this popular new show and share a better, more compelling story: God’s story of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World.  

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Jeffrey Dickson, PhD studied Theology and Apologetics at Liberty University where he now serves as an adjunct professor of Bible and theology. Dr. Dickson is also the senior pastor of Salem Baptist Church in Sabot, VA, where he lives with his wife Brianna and their children.

What Sort of _______ Is This?

A mystery seized the disciples.  The mystery’s answer unlocks the door to the Book of Matthew; it unscrambles the Gospel itself; and it opens the gate to your life – to its present satisfaction - its eternal future.  The disciples wondered, ‘What sort of man is this that even the wind and the sea obey him?’ On that occasion their boat is caught in a Galilean sea windstorm.  Waves are lapping over their fishing vessel’s sides.  They are being swamped.  They panic.  They fear they are sinking. Then Jesus speaks to the winds telling them to be silent.  The sea hushes.  There is dead calm.  The disciples gasp, ‘What sort of man is this that even the wind and the sea obey him?’ The original language of the text does not have any noun after the ‘what sort of’.  Literally, it’s ‘what sort of____’ is this that even the wind and sea obey him?’.  One has to supply the noun.  That is, the question: what sort of ‘one’, what sort of ‘person’, being, is this to whom the wind and sea are subject?  It’s the same question I want to put to you.  ‘What sort of “one” is this that even the wind and the sea obey him?’  I trust you have already responded to it.  Answering this question is a confession one continually reaffirms.  Answer it for yourself again.

Ancient people answered it similarly.  The weather – rain, wind, thunder, and lightning – said the Canaanites is controlled by Baal, the Canaanite god.  The Egyptians said the weather was controlled by Horus, the falcon-headed god.  The ancient Greeks said it was Poseidon, the god of the sea.  Poseidon controls the oceans and the seas.  The Romans answered it was Jupiter.  The Jews said in Psalm 107 the Lord God ‘made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.’

The ancients all agree controlling the weather is the domain of a god – not of a human.  Atheists like Richard Dawkins or theologians like Rudolf Bultmann say ruling the weather is not the work of a god. They do agree it is not the province of a human, either.  Upon this we’re all are agreed:  commanding the weather is not in the province of a human.  The disciples’ rhetorical question, ‘What sort of’, one, person, _?__ , is this that even the winds and the sea obey’ - anticipates the answer.

What sort of person this is again is highlighted just two chapters later in Matthew 10: 34-39.  Jesus says, ‘Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.  For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household.’  This is jarring! The Lord’s anointed has not come to bring peace but a clash.

He declares he will turn son against father; divide daughter and mother; and daughter in law against mother in law.   He will deliberately split life’s most enduring, affectionate and necessary bonds.   Elie Wiesel and his family were Jews who just got off the Nazi train at Birkenau.  A Nazi SS officer wielding a club barked, ‘Men to the left! Women to the right!’  Suddenly, Elie was separated from his mother and sister.  He watched his mother and sister disappear into the horizon.  That was the last time he ever saw his mother.

Jesus separates family members. He claims there is a deeper, more necessary bond than the familial bond.   There is a relationship more primary than family.  The relationship with Him is greater than the familial bond.  Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.  He inserts love for himself between that of son and father; daughter and mother.  Love for Him surpasses the primary human love.  Love for Him is more fundamental and transcendent than human love.  Who ranks above the love for your father?  Who ranks above the love for your daughter? Or your mother?  Jesus says whoever loves mother more than me is not worthy of me.

My late mother Betsy had a college friend in Lynchburg who she kept up with over the years.  They would talk.  My mother inevitably got the conversation around to church.  ‘Claire, come to worship.  You belong there.  We miss you.’  But, Claire would remind her worship was at the time her family went to brunch.  My mother said, ‘Then change the time of brunch.’  Is that what you say? What sort of one even claims preeminence over life’s primary priority?

Jesus was leaving a large crowd.  One from his larger group of disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’  (Then I will follow you.)  To bury your father is one of those things you do to fulfill the commandment, ‘Honor your father’.  Some think the disciple was not speaking literally but meant he needed to care for his aged father.  After his father died and was buried, the disciple would be free then to follow Jesus.  Either way, Jesus’ response remains: ‘Follow me and let the dead bury the dead.’  The spiritual dead will take care of the physical dead.  First things first…following Me takes immediate priority.  Nothing – not even burying one’s father - comes before this One.

Jesus demands to be loved preeminently above your human loves.  In fact, if you love your father more than Jesus, you do not deserve Jesus; you are not suited to Him; and you cannot belong to Him.  ‘What sort of’ person is this that demands such exclusive love? 

Perhaps the greatest claim Jesus made was the one in Matthew Chapter Eleven.  He said, ‘All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’ (Matthew 11: 27-28).  Here Jesus claims ‘all things’- literal word is ‘all’ – all has been handed over to him by ‘my Father’.   The ‘all’ is inclusive.  Nothing is excluded from the set of ‘all’.  ‘Handed over’ is to turn over, deliver to or entrust to.  At my mother’s death, everything of hers and my late father’s – everything - clothes, address book, furniture, photograph albums, files, bank account, bills, and their 1820 Eli Terry clock – were handed over to my sister and me.  Everything.  What is handed over to Jesus?  Some contemporary scholars say it was John claiming this for Jesus not Jesus Himself.  Really? Jesus defines the Father- who- has- turned-everything-over- to-Him:  He is ‘Father, Lord of heaven and earth’.  What all does the ‘Father, Lord of heaven and earth’ have to entrust to Jesus?  Heaven? The Milky Way?  The Sun?  The earth?  All its inhabitants?  You? What’s not included?  Jesus said plainly, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given me.’

Jesus tells his disciples the reason they know hidden things and the wise and intelligent do not:  ‘no one knows the Son except the Father; and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’  The Father and Son share knowing exclusive to themselves.  We expect the Father to know the Son.  What is shocking is that Jesus says ‘no one knows the Father except the Son’.  In the original language, the word ‘know’ is intensified:  knows exactly, knows completely, and knows through and through.  Jesus is claiming He is the only One who knows God through and through; exactly as He is.  Who is it who knows God’s mind exactly?  Who is the only one who knows completely Tom Thomas’ mind? Who is buried in George Washington’s tomb?!

The second part of this is ‘no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him’.  Jesus is the only one who mediates and reveals God.  Revealing God is at the Son’s discretion and according to His own prerogative.

Jesus’ claim was on trial in a recent Senate hearing.  Russell Vought was being interviewed for a deputy position in the White House Office of Management and Budget.  Bernie Sanders took him to task for an article Russell wrote for his college newsletter.  Russell said Muslims ‘do not know God because they have rejected Jesus Christ His Son, and they stand condemned.’  Sanders asked him if he was being respectful of other religions.  Vought in his words was echoing Jesus.

Jesus is not disrespectful.  He is making an exclusive but truthful claim.  ‘No one – not the Buddha, Mohammed, the guru, the Imam, or Moses – knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’  No one can know the Father who does not first know the Son.  Who is it that makes such an absolute claim?  What sort of person is this?  Who is it the weather obeys? Who demands love surpassing all human love? Who knows completely the inner mind of God?  Who have you said Him to be?  Who do you now say Him to be?  He is the Person to whom I submit my body, my soul, my fame, my fortune, my friends, my reputation, my life, and my all!  You too?