Hey, Ya Know What?

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.)

Best home made lightsaber duel ever!

Please forgive the geek in me. This is pretty cool...

Link: Best home made lightsaber duel ever! VideoSift.

My Entertainment Guilty Pleasures

We can not all have great taste ALL the time. There are some times when we enjoy things that just can not be explained. Either these things are devoid of substance, or those who have created them or perform them are devoid of talent. Another aspect of these things being guilty pleasure is that we don't generally announce them to the world. We keep them in the closet. No loud and prouds on this list. I'm curious about what some of your guilty pleasures are in music, movies and TV?

Starship Troopers - This movie is horrid. The faux documentary style is cheesy and the acting is so bad that you almost root for the insects to take them all out. But for some reason, when I watch this movie, I enjoy it.

That's So Raven, Disney Channel - This is actually a very funny show and a good one to watch with the kids. But come on, at 33, I'd have to say it's a guilty pleasure to watch the hijinx and shenanigans of 3 goofy high school kids. Or maybe not.

The Fighting Temptations - This movie's plot is so old and predictable. Actually it's two fold. Boy meets girl. Boy messes up. Boy loses Girl. Boy makes it up and gets girl. The other part is Boy is selfish. Boy tricks people into thinking he means well to get material things. Boy is exposed and abandoned. Boy finds 'happiness' in material things elsewhere but then feels empty. Boy makes it up and everyone lives happily ever after. Ever heard a story like that? But every time it's on, we stop to watch. I think it's the music. Evette, I swear it's not because of Beyonce. :)

Air Supply - Ok, I don't own any albums and have never grabbed an mp3, but if I flip channels on the radio and hear them I can't help but stop, and maybe even sing along. But I'm not taking a trip to Brokeback Mountain or anything over them.

The O.C - I am not gaga over this show like I am Lost or 24, but I it is the epitome of guilty pleasure. Watching people with all the money in the world have lives more messed up than your own is sometimes entertaining if not therapeutic. And the show does have great music. Best on TV even. No Air Supply here.

C & C Music Factory - OK, that's just ridiculous. I 'm kidding here. I shouldn't even be a blogger that is taken seriously with jokes like that. That's not big boy blogging.

Bruce Willis movies - So shoot me?

The Cure - I know I have a couple of people who will back me on these guys, but not many. There isn't a lot of talent, they are very gloomy and nihilistic, but I like them just the same. Except for Robert Smith's lipstick. It's too red. He should go down a couple of shades.

I may do a part II... So, tell me your guilty pleasures?

 

Technorati Tags: TV, Movies, Music, Guilty Pleasures

Hey, that's kinda like Jesus

So, I had the day off and was going to use it as one of those 'mental health' days. You know, sleep in, leave for lunch and spend the afternoon acting like there is no one else on the face of the earth. But, when I woke up, that just didn't seem quite the way things should go down. So, just before lunch, BeBe, Ricky and myself hit the road. They got to have BK for lunch and then a trip to Toy 'r' Us to spend a couple of gift cards. More than enough for a 4 and 6 year old on any given day. But hey, this was to be one of those days to remember. One for the ages! That was when I came up with the idea that we needed to go see Narnia.

Three theaters later we found one that was not sold out. I went in with hardly any expectations because I'd read so many contrarian reviews. Thank goodness I read them. The movie exceeded every expectation I had. I've read the books at least 5 times each so I had a very clear view in my head of how things should look. I was not let down. I was afraid Aslan's entrance wouldn't be very majestic having seen him in the commercials already. No sweat. His initial appearance was just fine. Ricky could hardly wait. "Daddy, where's the Lion?!" I responded "Soon, Beaver just said he's on the move." That was a little too fun to say, even if it was lost on a four year old.

The best part of the whole movie for me was Aslan's sacrifice and resurrection. BeBe was devastated when Aslan died. She wept and said "he can't be dead. he just can't be." When Aslan reappeared in all his glory she made another comment. "Hey, that's kinda like Jesus." As parents we often wonder just how well we are doing. Moments like these help. Big time.

Other highlights... the children were great and it was good to really SEE them as children. It can be easy to lose that view when reading. Mr. Tumnus was fantasic and Tilda Swinton nearly stole the whole thing as the White Witch. What else... I know, any of you other readers have that same feeling when you first saw the lampost as you did when you saw your first hobbit hole? You know, that feeling of being home? Oh, and anyone else find yourself thinking some of that Turkish Delight might be pretty good?

As we drove home B just went on and on about how it was the 'greatest movie she'd ever seen' and how she'd like to be friends Lucy. I thought it was a good movie too. But for me, it was an even greater day.

Technorati Tags: Jesus, Family, Narnia

Narnia or Da Vinci Code

As usual, Dan Kimball has a well thought out and though provoking post. He makes the case for the Da Vinci Code movie being a better evangelistic tool than Narnia. I like his conclusion and do agree. Check out the link below and see what you think.

Link: Vintage Faith