The Bible Role-Playing Game (BRPG) is a tool for exploring the Old Testament. Its mission is founded upon 2 Timothy 3:16-17, which says: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (New King James Version). The BRPG acts as a tool for exploring biblical stories, themes, and context through study and role-play.
The BRPG is a table-top role-playing game. Table-top means this game is physical (as opposed to digital). Role-playing refers to how the participants (or “players”) engage with the Old Testament context, which is through playing the “role” of a person from the Old Testament setting. The BRPG is called a game because it uses “quests” or “adventures” to explore the Old Testament context, culture, and biblical story through a coherent and holistic story.
The game has multiple “players” and one “host.” The host is the one who has studied the Old Testament world, created quests, and runs the game world. This means the host reacts to the actions of the players from the perspective of the story or setting they are in. For example, the host may describe a new setting the players have just journeyed to or become the voice of a non-player character they encounter. The host is the one who must extensively study the context, biblical setting, and themes present in order to explore them through quests with the players.
The players role-play as characters in the Old Testament setting of their quest or adventure. They must work together to complete their quest (for example, delivering an urgent message to another city). While the host describes the setting and quest, and attempts to immerse the players into the biblical world, the players can explore the world as creatively or straightforward as they wish (for example, they may hire someone to deliver the message, attempt to shoot the message tied to an arrow from a mountain, or simply travel to the city).
