<![CDATA[Purpose: This article aims to develop a theological analytical framework for reading video games as meaningful digital cultural practices without reducing theology to doctrinal abstraction or dissolving it into uncritical cultural acceptance. It responds to the growing significance of video games in shaping moral imagination, identity, and existential reflection in contemporary digital life. Methodology: This study employs a comparative literature review design with a dialogical-conceptual analysis approach. The analysis focuses on Martin Nguyen’s concept of religious imagination and Frank G. Bosman’s formulation of video games as locus theologicus. Data were collected through close reading, conceptual annotation, and thematic mapping of the two primary texts, supported by relevant literature in digital religion, cultural theology, and game studies. Findings: The study finds that Nguyen and Bosman share a view of theology as a lived and situated practice, yet differ in their sources of normativity. Nguyen emphasizes measured imagination grounded in revelation and ethical orientation, while Bosman highlights conscious play as a reflective engagement with existential experiences in games. Research Implications: The article contributes to religion and media studies by offering a framework for analyzing video games as spaces of moral, existential, and theological reflection. Originality: The originality of this study lies in its cross-tradition dialogue between contemporary Islamic theology and Christian cultural theology, resulting in an integrated framework of measured imagination and conscious play for the theological analysis of video games.]]>
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