Let’s Not Circle the Wagons, Church!

Christians take two different tracks when dealing with all things dealing with The DaVinci Code.  Some say, "We should not support it!  It's wrong and we need to tell people it's wrong."  Others say, "Read the book, watch the movie, and know what you're dealing with so you can engage the culture in a dialogue."

I confess, I'm in the second track and my mindset was vindicate in Great Clips of Frankfort, of all places.  Long overdue for a haircut and conducting some business in Frankfort today, I had a few minutes and stopped for a haircut.  I sat down in the chair and the worker asked me, "So, did you go to the movies this weekend?"  I said, "No, time wouldn't permit.  Why?"  She then started peppering me with information about The DaVinci Code.  She was hearing all sorts of things about it and said, "You know, it made me question the what I had been taught."  

Thankfully, I was able to answer some of her questions and put her mind to rest for the time being.   Yet, if I was that someone who said, "I'm a Christian and I just think that it's wrong and you shouldn't go see the movie because it's wrong," you may shut down the conversation before it even begins.  Yet, I was able to reassure her about the trustworthiness of the Scriptures, the fact that church has not been hiding everything under the sun, and that Jesus is who the Bible says He is, etc.

This movie is heresy, yes.  But it is also an opportunity to engage the culture in a conversation and to steer that conversation to the glories of Christ.

1 Peter 3:15-16
But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; [16] yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

Da Vinci Code Confirms Rather Than Changes People’s Religious Views (Barna)

From The Barna Update: May 15, 2006

A survey we completed this week shows that among the tens of millions of people who have read the bestseller, The Da Vinci Code, from cover to cover, the book has influenced their thinking – but it has not necessarily changed their religious views so much as it has confirmed what they already believed prior to reading the book. The long-awaited movie adaptation of the book releases later this week amidst considerable controversy and counter-marketing efforts by Christians.

To find out more about the impact of the book and the likely popularity and impact of the movie, click here to read the article.

Would Dan Brown Flunk a HISTORY Class?

Have a problem with Dan Brown's theological proclamations in his runaway bestseller in The DaVinci Code?  Listen to Michael Horton's interview with Western Michigan University's history professor Paul Meier.  Learn why Maier says that if Dan Brown submitted a paper with research of the quality of the research he did in his book, he would have flunked his class. 

(NOTE:  This interview will be up through May 20th, so be sure and listen to it this week or you can download the mp3 for three or subscribe to the Podcast if you have iTunes which you can download for free.)

Deciphering The DaVinci Code (Mohler)

Just an excellent article and review of this work and so-to-be-released movie.

Click here to read!