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Answering Dan Brown
Monday Mailbox
Dear friends,
On May 18 our cinemas will commence showing the Da Vinci Code, a movie based on Dan Brown’s best selling fiction novel. There’s a part of me that wants to say, “O, please just go away…” because it just seems to be a high nuisance-factor diversion. I find it hard to devote time and resources to a story that bears little resemblance to historical fact, decent scholarship, and (in the minds of at least some) any literary merit.
There is no doubt that the Da Vinci Code movie could present us with some great challenges. Christians will need to know how to answer some of the questions people will raise. And, friends, people will raise them. Some have reported how reading the novel challenged their faith in God. Others, or how it confirmed their suspicion of the church. As hard as it may be for us to acknowledge these challenges, these consequences are real.
How important it is then for every Christian to be informed (at least as well as they can be) about the reliability of the New Testament account. How critical it is for us to remember some of the basic material we covered last Sunday night: to submit our minds, thoughts and rational capabilities to God and His word.
On the other hand, the Da Vinci Code presents followers of Jesus with some unique opportunities:
We can tell people who Jesus really is and what he has done for us. His forgiveness, grace and work in the lives of his followers is not fiction and can be historically verified
We can read up on how best to answer the claims of the Da Vinci Code. I would recommend (the first three are in the church library)
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The truth behind the Da Vinci Code
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Cracking the Da Vinci Code
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The real Da Vinci Code (ABC DVD)
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We can also make copies of an excellent sermon by John Ortberg, from Menlo Park Presbyterian Church,
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'The Da Vinci Code - A Response' Nicky Gumble, who in his typically well reasoned and logical manner gets to the bottom of Brown’s claims and refutes them convincingly. Pick up a copy at Word, Koorong, and perhaps the Cleveland Christian Bookshop. It will cost about $4.00, well worth the money, and worth considering buying a few to give to friends.
Of course, the best way to help people find out about the real Jesus is to introduce them to him through witness or bringing them along to a service at your church.
In the weeks just prior to May 18, we hope to have a service or two that will deal with the Da Vinci Code subject matter. These will also be prime opportunities for you to invite guests. Please prayerfully consider this, an uphold your pastors as they prepare their messages.
Above all, continue to pray that you will be able to give an answer to everyone for the hope that you have (1 Pet 3:15).
Have a great week, church!
