The Da Richie Code

The Da Vinci Code opens across the country today and I told you I would give my take on the whole thing. And here it goes...

There have been protests already. Folks see it as a conspiracy to harm the church and deceive us all. And that could be the intent. But it's nothing new. Deception is always around the next corner. Every falsehood in this book has been argued before through books from the 80's all the way back to the gnostic gospels of the first few centuries after Christ. The difference here is that 40 million people didn't read about them all at once.

Churches all across American have spent tons of money on DVD's, books, and the like to make sure everyone knows the book is fiction. I say that was plainly obvious early on. Whether Dan Brown believes his claims or not, he has made a lot of money from the controversy. Heck, many Christians have made a buck already from the book selling their competing wares. Not all of them have, but many. And all for a book of FICTION. There are plenty of non-Christian resources out there refuting the ideas presented in the book. The History Channel has had many shows that blow up its claims.  Even extremely liberal MTV movie reviewer Kurt Loder says:

This vivid tale, set forth in a 1982 book called "Holy Blood, Holy Grail," has been demonstrated, quite conclusively, to be hogwash.

It's a poolside page turner and as those go, this one is pretty good. It's not high lit by any means, but that isn't the point. The point is entertainment (and Dan Brown's bank account). Thus far, the reviews of the movie are saying it doesn't translate well to film. For the most part, they have trashed it. So, the media doesn't seem to be in on the conspiracy (although many have claimed they are). If they were, you'd think they'd praise the film so more people would go to see it.

The worries that most Christians have are twofold. First, many believers are afraid that other believers will be duped and question their faith. Jesus himself said that not even the gates of hell could prevail against his Church and I think he will be faithful to that statement. So we can take that to heart and not worry quite so much about it. When reading the book I never once questioned my faith, church history, or Jesus.

The other worry is that those seeking God will be misled by the movie. I go back to the Bible and my understanding of it and know that the real reason these folks are led astray is not some book of fiction written by Dan Brown. On the contrary, it may be that this book sends someone to a believer to ask questions and allows the truth to be heard and this may be one of the steps that eventually lead to belief.

It's fine to be concerned. The truth is paramount. There are many folks who would like to twist it and turn it and make it what they want it to be. We have to be ready and wiling to expose lies for what they are. And there ARE people who believe the book to be true. That's a problem. But let's live in the tension between that and the fact that God is big enough to overcome this. To leave him and his power out of the equation turns us into "twisters and turners" ourselves. Because anytime he is relegated to the sidelines, we usually end up defining him and our faith on our own terms. (Raise your hand with me if you've ever done this.)

Comments

[rick]

Great post. Home run! Like Peter, we keep trying to save Jesus, when in reality we are often stumbling blocks.

Loved your last two sentences.

[BDD]

Both my hands are raised! I love your take on things. Helps keep me honest and thinking.

[Rich]

Thanks Rick and B!

[Bookwhirl]

I sincerely appreciate your take on things. Good points.