The themes explored in A Game of Thrones—power, leadership, truth, suffering, and love—are not just reflections on human nature but also on deeper spiritual realities. While the world of Westeros is often brutal, its struggles mirror the fallen nature of our own world, where sin distorts authority, truth is often suppressed, and the innocent suffer for the ambitions of the powerful. Yet, through a Christian lens, we can see beyond the brokenness to the higher calling Christ sets before us—a way of leadership rooted in servanthood, truth anchored in God’s Word, and love that triumphs even over death.
The True Power of Knowledge and Humility
Tyrion Lannister’s assertion that “a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge” (p. 124) underscores the importance of wisdom. As Christians, we recognize true wisdom does not come merely from books or intellect, but rather, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10), which, of course, is learned through the Scriptures. The Apostle Paul reminds us that “Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies” (1 Corinthians 8:1). Learning is essential, but without humility and love, knowledge can lead to pride and destruction rather than life-giving wisdom.
This connects to Tyrion’s warning about self-importance: “We all need to be mocked from time to time, Lord Mormont, lest we start to take ourselves too seriously” (p. 205). Scripture echoes this sentiment, as Proverbs 16:18 warns, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Even the greatest rulers and thinkers must remember their limitations, for only God is all-knowing and sovereign. Jesus Himself, though King of kings, demonstrated ultimate humility by washing His disciples’ feet (John 13:12-17), showing true greatness is found in servanthood rather than self-importance.
Leadership as Stewardship, Not Domination
In a moment of extending wisdom to his son, Rob, Ned Stark says, “Know the men who follow you, and let them know you. Don’t ask your men to die for a stranger” (p. 217). This reflects the biblical principle that leadership is about relationship and care, not merely authority. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, declares, “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own” (John 10:14). Unlike the rulers of Westeros, who lead by fear and coercion, Christ leads through love and sacrifice, laying down His life for His people (John 10:11).
Conversely, Cersei Lannister possesses a ruthless philosophy: “When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground” (p. 488). This reveals a worldly perspective on power where compromises and mercy are seen as weaknesses. But Jesus turns this mindset on its head when He says, “And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:44-45). One can imagine Cersei’s look of disgust if she were to hear these words! The world craves dominance, but Christ calls us to leadership through sacrificial love.
The Cost of Truth and the Denial of Reality
Tyrion observes, “Most men would rather deny a hard truth than face it” (p. 264)—a statement that reflects humanity’s tendency to avoid uncomfortable realities, often leading to cognitive dissonance. This is as true in Westeros as it is in our own world, where people turn a blind eye to sin, injustice, and even the Gospel itself. Jesus confronted this when He said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). But as He stood before Pilate, who cynically asked, “What is truth” (v. 38), we see that, even in the face of clear evidence (Jesus is Truth personified), many would rather embrace deception than be transformed by truth, that is, the Truth, Jesus Christ.
Ser Jorah Mormont shares a similar reflection with Daenarys Targaryen, “The common people pray for rain, healthy children, and a summer that never ends. It is no matter to them if the high lords play their game of thrones, so long as they are left in peace. They never are” (p. 233). His words remind us how earthly power often disregards the weak. This echoes the biblical warning that those who seek power for selfish gain will ultimately be held accountable. James 5:1-6 warns the rich and powerful who exploit others, while Psalm 72:4 declares that a true, godly king “will bring justice to the poor of the people; he will save the children of the needy, and will break in pieces the oppressor.”
Varys, the enigmatic spymaster, laments to Ned Stark, “Why is it always the innocents who suffer most, when you high lords play your game of thrones?” (p. 636). This is a question as old as the Book of Job (the scholarly consensus is that Job is one of the oldest books in the Bible). The suffering of the innocent is a deep theological mystery, but the cross of Christ provides the ultimate—and unsatisfying—answer. It is not the answer we want because the answer God gives is not displayed in power but in weakness, which He has chosen as His mode or relief to shame worldly wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:27).
Jesus, the only truly innocent one, suffered not for His own sins, for He Himself is sinless, but for ours: “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). His willing sacrifice shows God does not remain distant from suffering but enters into it alongside us, bearing it on behalf of the world. Thus, as you bear your own cross in any moment of suffering, Jesus doesn’t lift you up as two pairs of footprints become one pair in the sand; rather, He is there walking and suffering alongside you, just as Simon of Cyrene helped Him bear His own cross.
Love, Duty, and the Struggle of the Human Heart
Maester Aemon cautions Jon Snow, “Love is the bane of honor, the death of duty” (p. 662), which is a statement that reflects the difficult choices the characters in the novel face between personal desires and responsibilities. But in Christ, love and duty are not enemies; they are symbiotic. Jesus’ ultimate duty—to obey the Father’s will—was fulfilled because of His love for humanity. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). While the world of A Song of Ice and Fire often sees love as a weakness, Scripture teaches that it is love that gives duty its true meaning. A leader does not have to sacrifice one for the other; love can be—and is—the operator behind his duty.
Yet Maester Aemon also acknowledges the complexity of love: “We are only human, and the gods have fashioned us for love. That is our great glory, and our great tragedy” (p. 662). This aligns with the Christian understanding that humans are created for love because we are made in the image of God, who “is love” (1 John 4:8). However, in our fallen state, love is often twisted by sin, leading to suffering. The only way to redeem love is through Christ, who restores it to its purest form—selfless, sacrificial, and eternal.
Finally, more of Aemon’s words about honor echo the struggles of every believer: “A craven can be as brave as any man. How easy it seems then, to walk the path of honor. Yet soon or late in every man’s life comes a day when it is not easy, a day when he must choose” (p. 663). We all face moments when following Christ is difficult—when standing for God’s Truth comes at a cost (just consider the current anti-Christian climate of our culture). This is to be expected of the Christian life. Jesus never promised a life of following Him would be a life of comfort. Jesus warned His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). True honor, in the Christian life, is not about reputation or personal gain, but about faithfulness to Christ, even in the face of suffering.
Conclusion: A Different Kind of Kingdom
While A Game of Thrones paints a world where power is won by force, truth is often ignored, and love is a liability, the Kingdom of God operates by a different set of rules. In Christ’s kingdom, the weak are lifted up, truth is absolute and eternal, and love is the greatest power of all. Whereas Cersei declares there is no middle ground in the game of thrones, Jesus offers a totally antithetical path: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the Earth” (Matthew 5:5).
The story of Westeros is one of human ambition, struggle, and suffering, but the story of the Gospel is one of redemption, hope, and victory—not by swords, but by the cross. As Christians, we are called to reject the world’s pursuit of power for its own sake and instead seek the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33), where the last shall be first and where true victory is found not in conquest, but in the love of God, who is Himself love.
The Lutheran Column 