“What? Play Dungeons and Dragons… at Bible college? Isn’t that game evil?” I thought after my friend asked me to join his campaign in the lunch line. I had heard growing up that D&D was spiritually dangerous, immoral, and opposed to the Christian faith. But as we met to play every Monday night, I realized just how wrong those old notions were.
I saw friendships grow, I saw moral struggles and goodness triumph, I saw redemption and genuine moments of discipleship, I saw themes and principles from Scripture reflected in the broad strokes of the narrative. Best of all, it wasn’t a sermon. It wasn’t preachy or dull—it was personally engaging, imaginative, and a ton of fun!
You don’t have to be an expert player or a genius Dungeon Master (DM) to make this kind of sanctified D&D work. Fellowship, redemption, virtue, and ultimately biblical truth can shine through a typical D&D campaign—it’s just a matter of how you play and how you lead.
Sidebar: Is D&D Actually Evil?
When you think of Dungeons & Dragons, the first things that probably come to mind are epic combat, whimsical worldbuilding, and the thrill of seemingly endless storytelling possibilities. If you’ve spent any time in the American church, you likely also have heard of D&D’s sordid past—along with a lot of misinformation.
I discuss D&D’s unfair association with evil and the occult, and its true potential for Christian discipleship, in my short book, Discipleship & Dragons: A Non-Preachy Handbook for Christian D&D Players. In it, I explain more about the social context of the 1970’s and 80’s that led to this unfair anatomizing of D&D in Christian circles and how this game can and has been used for redemptive purposes—along with practical examples for the aspiring Christian DM. You can also check out my other article: “Is Dungeons and Dragons Evil? DnD Through a Christian Lens”.
That sidebar aside, let’s get started!
The Dungeon Master as a Shepherd
Being a Dungeon Master is a magic trick. With just a few rough plot points and some basic storytelling principles, you dive into a world of improvisation, letting your players run wild with endless choices. As the game unfolds, the story takes on a life of its own—one that neither you nor the players planned in advance. This spontaneous storytelling is the magic of D&D, where the unpredictable twists and turns make every session feel fresh and exciting.
Being a Christian DM doesn’t change this basis much, so don’t feel overwhelmed! Leading a campaign with the hope of anchoring it to Christian virtues and biblical faith doesn’t mean forging a rigid plot structure—nor does it mean just letting things happen. DMing is about subtly guiding your players through the narrative while respecting their choices. Think of it like a shepherd leading flock.
The shepherd isn’t there to build fences but to steer the sheep away from pitfalls and into green pastures. You subtly direct the game’s narrative, tone, and worldbuilding to complement a Christian worldview, and let players’ actions happen in this context without forcing them onto some predetermined path of righteousness. You cannot choose what players do, but you can be creative with how their characters develop and the kinds of situations they end up—ultimately with the end of redemptive arcs for each character.
But how do you do this practically? If you’re a follower of Jesus, a lot of this process will flow naturally. Because you already value truth, goodness, and virtue, those things will overflow into your worldbuilding and storytelling naturally. High-flown ideals of Christian DMing aside, the question here is, in the average session, how do you practically incorporate biblical truth?
The Everyday Stuff: Roleplay, Combat, Puzzles, and Character Trials
A typical D&D session is a few hours broken up into a few main components: roleplay, combat, puzzles, and character trials. Each of these is an opportunity to subtly introduce meaningful, biblical themes. And no, I’m not talking about giving a sermon mid-session or forcing Bible verses into every conversation. It’s all about creatively finding ways to make biblical truths come alive within the game’s world and narrative.
Roleplay: Meaningful NPCs with Purpose
Non-playable characters (NPCs) are often the unsung heroes of your game. They don’t just serve as quest-givers or shopkeepers—they can be vessels of wisdom, deep truth, and catalysts to character development and redemptive life lessons. By drawing from biblical principles, your NPCs can subtly point to truths like compassion, self-sacrifice, redemption, honesty, and the players’ duty to overcome evil with good.
Let me give you a couple examples of how you could do this…
Example 1: A Call to Service and Self-Sacrifice
Imagine your party is helping a village oppressed by a cruel governor. Some characters might be feeling hesitant to get involved. Here’s where an NPC could step in with a little biblical wisdom, saying something like, “True greatness is found in service and sacrifice. You were meant for this—your help will change lives.”
This moment echoes Matthew 20:28, where Jesus talks about coming to serve, not to be served. It might not be an outright sermon, but it makes your players think about service in a deeper, more intentional way.
Example 2: The Struggle Between Good and Evil
Later, the party faces a dark sorcerer, but they soon realize it’s not just a battle against a man—it’s a battle against an evil cosmic force the man is channeling. One of your NPCs, perhaps a traveling hermit or prophet, could say something like, “What you fight isn’t just flesh and blood—it’s the darkness that seeks to corrupt the hearts of men. Defeat that, and you’ll have victory.”
This ties into Ephesians 6:12, reminding players that their fight is spiritual at its core. It’s a subtle but powerful way to show them that sometimes, the real enemies aren’t the ones with swords and spells, but the unseen spiritual powers that seek to enslave and corrupt the wills of humans.
Combat: Mercy and Armor for the Soul
Combat is a huge part of D&D, but what if we could turn these fights into opportunities for growth and reflection? Here’s how you can weave biblical themes into your battles without slowing down the action.
Here are a few practical examples you can borrow from…
Example 1: Showing Mercy in Battle
Picture this: your party has defeated a powerful enemy, but now they’re faced with a decision. Do they strike the final blow, or do they spare the enemy’s life? This can be a challenging moment of virtue for a character, especially one with a rigid idea of justice or one with a penchant for revenge. Perhaps an NPC or a player suggests mercy as a form of strength, saying, “Even in the heat of battle, mercy can be a powerful weapon. We don’t know what change might come from sparing him.”
This principle echoes Matthew 5:7: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” This kind of scenario is a great opportunity to explore the power of mercy—and it adds a layer of moral depth to the game that goes beyond just butchering enemies.
Example 2: The Full Armor of God
Your party is facing overwhelming odds (as they often shall). Have your characters prepare for battle in both physical and spiritual ways. An NPC could say something like, “Let’s not go into battle unarmed. We fight with the strength of the Light, not just with steel.” Then, you could “buff” the party in a way that helps them face their foes—whether it’s temporary points to their armor class, a bonus to other relevant stats, etc. Breaking out of just narrative implications of virtue and showing practical game-mechanic implications can help ground the points you are trying to hint at.
This ties into Ephesians 6:10-18, where we’re urged to put on the “full armor of God.” It’s a perfect way to bring that truth into the game without it feeling forced.
Puzzles and Challenges: Teamwork, Sacrifice, and Faith
Puzzles and challenges in D&D aren’t just brain teasers—they’re moments when your players need to think and work together. Why not tie these moments to biblical truths about fellowship, unity, sacrifice, and faith?
Example 1: The Power of Community
What if your party is faced with a puzzle that can only be solved by each character using their unique abilities? One might need to read an ancient language, while another has the strength to move a heavy object, and so on. As they work together, the solution becomes clear. You can draw on 1 Corinthians 12:14–17, which speaks about how the body of Christ is made up of many parts, each with its own role.
You could even have an NPC remind them, “Just as the body is made up of many parts, so too is the strength of a group found in its unity.” Might be a bit on the nose, but things like this are memorable and impactful to players.
Example 2: Sacrifice for the Greater Good
What if the group is faced with a situation where one character must sacrifice something precious for the greater good—maybe it’s a magic item or their own safety? Here’s where John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” can come into play.
This could be a powerful moment in the game where a character has to make a tough, selfless choice. It’s a perfect setup for deep roleplay and can really show the value of self-sacrifice and love.
Character Trials: Growth and Redemption
In D&D, character trials are a crucial part of personal development. These moments of internal struggle and choice can reflect real-world spiritual growth in the players themselves (I talk more about this idea in Discipleship & Dragons). The key is making those trials connect to biblical themes in a way that resonates with your players.
Example 1: Overcoming the Past
Let’s say one of your characters was once a vampire, a werewolf, or some other dark entity, but now they’ve been redeemed. During a pivotal moment, they face a temptation that represents their dark past. It’s a chance to lean into Romans 8:1—there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ.
In-game, you could describe the character’s past coming to life in their mind—perhaps an illusion of their former self—and then offer them a choice to walk in the light of their new identity.
Example 2: Faith Over Fear
Another character might have a traumatic past filled with fear—fear of failure, rejection, or loss. They might have to confront something terrifying, and in that moment, they turn to rely on their party.
This might recall to mind the principle reflected in 1 John 4:18: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.”
You could weave in moments of tension and choice where the character has to choose trust and love over fear—giving them the opportunity to grow spiritually and emotionally, and perhaps even receive a boost of power or confidence.
Conclusion: Redemptive Storytelling
At the end of the day, D&D is about storytelling, and storytelling is about transformation. Whether it’s through roleplay, combat, puzzles, or character trials, you have endless opportunities to weave in themes of grace, redemption, mercy, and growth. The key is subtlety—finding ways to drop these truths into the game without making it feel preachy or forced.
So, in your next campaign, why not challenge yourself to sprinkle in a little bit of biblical wisdom? You might be surprised by how much deeper the game becomes—and how much more meaningful it becomes.
If you enjoyed this article and want to learn more, check out Discipleship & Dragons: A Non-Preachy Handbook for Christian D&D Players. (Use the promo code: REDEEM to get a 30% discount!)
I Wrote a Book!
Discipleship & Dragons: A Non-Preachy Handbook for Christian D&D Players
If you enjoyed this article, I’ve written a more in-depth treatment in my short handbook “Discipleship & Dragons: A Non-Preachy Handbook for Christian D&D Players”. In the book, I go into more detail about the history and redemptive potential for DnD. I give practical advice for worldbuilding and using scenarios session-by-session to champion real transformational growth in players through their in-game characters.
Read the book and join the Christian DnD movement and help create a positive shift in the atmosphere of this expanding subculture. Who knows? Your DnD campaign could have an eternal impact on the lives of those gathered around your table.
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