I taught concerning the fallacies of the Davinci Code last Sunday.
It was an interesting experience for me. I sensed that some were engaged with the foundations of our faith, others wondered what all the fuss was about, and others still couldn't have cared less.
One thing I think I am going to emphasize on May 21st. A study on the Da Vinci Code is not so much to show the THREAT that is there from the book, but the OPPORTUNITY that is there to talk about our faith and the things of Christianity to those who are seeking, howbeit through the book itself.
Here is a copy of a blog from Mark Roberts, a pastor in California....If you have time, read it and share with us what you think.
"In my last post I summarized some of the ways in which The Da Vinci Code contradicts classical, orthodox Christian belief. It's not hard to imagine how a book that denies the inspiration of the Bible, the reliability of the New Testament gospels, and the deity of Jesus Christ might be upsetting to Christians. FAQ: Why worry about "historical claims" in The Da Vinci Code since it's just a work of fiction?
"But," you might want to respond, "it's just fiction! It's a novel, for God's sake. It's going to be a fictional movie. Why get so worked up about fiction? Why refute fiction as if it were fact? Why get so worried about apparently factual elements of a fictional story?"
I can't tell you how much I wish every reader of The Da Vinci Code, and every viewer of the upcoming film, had this perspective. If everybody who was exposed to Dan Brown's story concluded, "Well, that was a great ride, but his stuff on Jesus was a lot of hooey!" then I could start blogging on something else, rather than exercising myself on this topic for the next several weeks. But, I'm sad to say, millions upon millions of readers and viewers of The Da Vinci Code will not reject its treatment of Jesus and early Christianity as wildly creative fiction. In fact, they will believe that Dan Brown has revealed the truth about Jesus. And they'll believe this passionately.
The Da Vinci Code? What, me worry?
I know because of the e-mail I have received in response to my online article Was Jesus Married? A Careful Look at the Real Evidence, and the published version of this piece that forms an appendix to my book, Jesus Revealed. I've received dozens of notes from people who not only reject my view that the evidence doesn't support the hypothesis of Jesus having been married, but also are just plain angry with me. They have found the "evidence" of The Da Vinci Code to be so persuasive, and they are so attached to the idea that Jesus is married, that my rather sober treatment of the historical evidence carries no weight whatsoever. The folks who have written to me didn't take Dan Brown's view of Jesus as clever fiction, but as hardcore fact.
They're not alone. Lest you think my blog readers are a bunch of crazies, consider the following evidence:
In a beliefnet.com survey, 27% of respondents said that Mary Magdalene was "Jesus' wife."
Not to be outdone, one in three Canadians who read The Da Vinci Code believe "there are descendants of Jesus alive today and a secret society exists dedicated to keeping Jesus' bloodline a secret."
A more recent Canadian survey found that 17% of all Canadians and 13% of all Americans are of the opinion that “Jesus’ apparent death on the cross was faked” and that "Jesus was also married and had a family." If accurate, this means that tens of millions of North Americans believe Dan Brown's fictions to be true.
There's no denying the fact that millions of people have been influenced by The Da Vinci Code to believe things about Jesus that are contrary to orthodox Christian belief, and that are, as we shall later see, highly improbable and unsupported by the available historical evidence.
Yet you can't exactly blame the readers of The Da Vinci Code for taking many of its claims about Jesus as historically valid. In the unfolding of the story, "facts" like the marriage of Jesus and the unreliability of the biblical gospels are "revealed" as common knowledge among informed Christians. At one point the novel's historian-guru Sir Leigh Teabing notes, "The vast majority of educated Christians know the history of their faith," which includes the "fact" that Jesus was just a mortal who was elevated to deity by the Roman emperor Constantine to augment his power (p. 234). FAQ: Why do people believe that fictional elements of The Da Vinci Code are historically accurate?
Furthermore, the first page of The Da Vinci Code contains a claim about the factuality of the material in the book. It reads: "All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate" (p. 1). Yet it is in the description of ancient Christian documents that Dan Brown makes some of his wildest claims about the Bible and Jesus. The first page of the book suggests that he is speaking historical truth.
Curiously enough, Dan Brown seems not to have read his own first page. His own website asks Brown, "But doesn't the novel's 'fact' page claim that every single word in this novel is historical fact?" [MDR note: What a ridiculous question!], Here is Brown's answer:
If you read the "FACT" page, you will see it clearly states that the documents, rituals, organization, artwork, and architecture in the novel all exist. The "FACT" page makes no statement whatsoever about any of the ancient theories discussed by fictional characters. Interpreting those ideas is left to the reader.
Hmmm. Actually, his "FACT" page says that "all descriptions" of these things are true, not that they merely exist. When Teabing describes an ancient document, Dan Brown the author suggests that his description is factually true. Dan Brown the webmaster suggests only that the document exists. Will the real Dan Brown please stand up?
In fact, the real Dan Brown has made known his personal views on the purportedly historical background to his novel. And there's little doubt that he believes the stuff Leigh Teabing feeds to Sophie Neveu is historical fact. For example, Brown's website asks him, "The topic of this novel might be considered controversial. Do you fear repercussions?" Brown answers: FAQ: Does Dan Brown himself believe that his fictionalized "history" of Jesus and early Christianity is true?
No. As I mentioned earlier, the secret I reveal is one that has been whispered for centuries. It is not my own. Admittedly, this may be the first time the secret has been unveiled within the format of a popular thriller, but the information is anything but new.
Notice, Dan Brown "reveals" a secret that is really true, and that has been known for centuries, but not widely.
In an interview with bookreporter.com, Brown revealed more of his personal beliefs regarding Jesus and early Christianity. Question: Is this book anti-Christian? Answer:
No. This book is not anti-anything. It's a novel. I wrote this story in an effort to explore certain aspects of Christian history that interest me. The vast majority of devout Christians understand this fact and consider The Da Vinci Code an entertaining story that promotes spiritual discussion and debate.
Note: Brown wrote "to explore certain aspects of Christian history."
Bookreporter.com Question: What do you think of clerical scholars attempting to "disprove" The Da Vinci Code? [MDR note: It's not just clerical scholars, but academic scholars as well.] Answer:
The dialogue is wonderful. These authors and I obviously disagree, but the debate that is being generated is a positive powerful force.
Note: Brown could have said. These folks are crazy. My novel is just a novel. What's their problem? Instead he said, "These authors and I obviously disagree." Upon what do they disagree? On the historical facts. Brown really believes the stuff he puts into the mouth of Leigh Teabing.
In an interview in a National Geographic documentary on The Da Vinci Code, Brown added:
I began as a sceptic. As I started researching Da Vinci Code I really thought I would disprove a lot of this theory about Mary Magdalene and holy blood and all of that. I became a believer.
So, the reader who takes Teabing's revelations as historical fact, and who reads the "FACT" page as indicating that the novel is based on supposedly solid historical data, is not naïve and mistaken. In fact, this reader is tracking perfectly with Brown, who believes his novel reveals a secret about Jesus that is historically true, and a perspective on early Christianity that tells the real story.
Given the influence of The Da Vinci Code, and the tendency for millions of readers to believe the Dan Brown/Leigh Teabing view of Jesus and early Christian history, it's necessary to deal with part of The Da Vinci Code as if it were a work of non-fiction. The "What, me worry?" approach isn't possible for those of us who care about the truth, not to mention the truth about Jesus, His nature and mission."
Good stuff.
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4 comments:
I enjoyed Sunday's message and look forward to the 21st. I am also following several other pastors who are speaking on this issue with their congregations at this time as the movie opens. They all have the same message: Use this for discussion and to bring about a true knowledge of what the Bible and history say.
In order to do that, you must know what the Word says and what has been shown by history. As I say to many people, don't trust the writing (or word) of anyone, even your pastor, but read it and research it for yourself. In our "fast food" society, however, people don't take the time to do that, especially if they are concerned that it will preclude them from doing what they wish. Most people look at the Bible as a book of "don'ts" and I would like to say that the majority of those people are non-Christians. I can't say that though as a lot of Christians haven't matured enough in their relationship with God to realize that the Bible is a book of "do's" with some favorable "don'ts" along the way to ensure that we live a good life. Favorable "don'ts" are those don'ts that actually provide good things: Don't murder--that's a good don't otherwise we'd all be dead; Don't steal--another good don't otherwise we'd all be poor; Don't lie--otherwise how would we trust anyone; Don't commit adultery--kinda like the stealing thing; Don't covet--leads to that stealing and adultery and murder thing.
Anyway, I say all that to say this: In order to refute, you must know the material. In order to discuss, you must be knowledgeable. In order to understand, you must determine the intent. In order to love, you must be able to see beyond the words to the heart inside. Most people choose to take these things to heart and as truth because it makes whatever or however they are living their lives okay. It's an escape valve and they desperately clutch it in order to stay as they are. Now, if you use that in discussion with anyone, of course they will get angry so I don't advise it. But, ask them to do their own research or to read other opinions from real scholars.
Lastly, in all you do, do it in love. Love conquers all. Love conquers anger, hate, dissension, etc. And God is love so He wins!
Love God, love people. Speak the truth in love.
Jon
I guess I’m one of the one’s who could care less about the DeVinci Code book and movie. I don’t plan on reading the book or going to the movie. I believe that there are some places that as believers we should not go and literature that is not profitable for us to read.. I know how this may sound, but I believe before we try to be intellectuals and open minded, that we need to have both feet firmly planted in the Word and Will of God. I think focusing our minds and discussion on this and other worldly media, that attack that our faith is just another way, our adversary (the devil) gets us to chase or tails in a circle. We don’t have to defend the Bible or the Word of God. It stands alone and states who it is and changes lives as the Holy Spirit opens it to the minds and hearts of those seeking the Father in Jesus Christ.
The singer Madonna, is involved in Jewish spiritualism called Kabbalah. Amongst Jewish people, Kabbalah isn’t encouraged to be studied until you are firmly grounded in Torah. Kabbalah is considered to be the last thing to study.
After our congregational meeting Wednesday, I was again wondering where our church is going to be headed in the next 5 to 10 years once all of the old people are dead? I looked at who was at the meeting and who attends Wednesday nights and Sunday nights where the majority of the teaching is, and well….
Personally, I won’t give legitimacy to these topics, by mentioning them. The only legitimate truth is the Word of God. If you don’t know the Word of God, then any wind of doctrine, any new book, any TV evangelist will move you, and a double minded person, need not think he will receive anything from God, because he unstable in all his ways.
There are a lot of things that you don’t need to know, but one thing you do. The Word of God is true concerning you, now and for eternity.
In reply to Jon, relying on scholars is exactly the reason this is being discussed today. I’m not a scholar and I wasn’t born yesterday, but things are plain. It’s black or white (no gray), right or wrong, your a saint or a sinner, your in or out, the Word is true or false. The Word of God is not open to discussion. It is the final answer for all the problems of man. Like in the beginning, God offered to give the Torah, to every nation on earth. And they all declined. They didn’t like the prohibitions that the Torah had connected with it.
Thou shalt not have any other gods before you, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not commit adultery etc. The Jews on the other hand said. Everything God has spoken, we will do.
As Christians we need to learn to answer God in this manner when He speaks to us through his Word or emissary, and say we will do and we will understand. Understanding comes from studying the scriptures and the Holy Spirit will teach us. Now The Holy Spirit is the only reliable scholar we have. And guess what? He lives in us! We need to be just dumb enough, to believe what the Word of God says, without any earthly scholarly certification.
Not only are “church” scholars discussing the fact or fiction of the DeVinci Code, but homosexuality and abortion just to mention a couple. Don’t let your eternity ride on earthy wisdom, when the real “know it all” abides within us, if we allow Him.
Wisdom is applied Knowledge
You were preaching to the choir with most of what you said, Youth Extreme. But,
like King Solomon said. There is nothing new under the sun. Meaning sin is sin, there is always a new way to do it. The troubles with our society, are the same today as they were two thousand years ago, that’s Bible. We have better technology, chemistry, philosophy, and theology, so we can do it better. To tell you the truth, if Jesus came back today, I think the church would find away to crucify him again.
Contrary to popular belief, ignorance isn’t bliss. The Word of God says, My people perish or are destroyed for lack of knowledge. You were right. Jesus hung out with the outcasts of society of his day, but He never compromised who and what he was. He taught the people, like none that they ever heard before. Jesus knew the hearts of all men (because he was God).
Let me ask you, how well do you know your group? How do they live? What are they doing and what are they involved in?
Do you know, who’s drinkin and druggin? Who’s living and sleeping with who? Do you care, or should you care?
Jesus didn’t say, go into all, the world and be tolerant of sin and maybe they will evolve into a good person if they hang out with us long enough. No, Jesus said go into all the world and preach the Gospel. He who repents and is baptized will be saved and he who doesn’t will be damned. He also told us to make them disciples. That means teach them something. Why, because the devil like a roaring lion wanders to and fro seeking whom he may devour. We’re told to study to show ourselves approved of God.
We talk about impact. Are people getting saved. Are their lived changed through repentance and confession of their faith. Or are they evolving into a good person who still needs to accept the finished work of salvation that Jesus paid for on the cross? What if these people died today? Can you say without a doubt, where would they go?
When the devil comes in like a flood, are they be able to stand and not fall away? These are questions we need to ask ourselves. Because we’re going to stand before the Lord and give account as a steward for what we did, with those souls he put in our way.
Jesus asked Peter three times, Will you feed my lambs, will you feed my sheep. Feeding is synonymous with teaching. If we care, we will teach them the commands of Jesus.
Wow, this is awesome dialogue. What I think of as I read all of this is that Christians as a whole do not understand what it means to “serve” outside the church. Before we moved into a small group we were told from Christians, “it’s going to take a lot more of your time, it’s going to mean turning your home upside down for others, it’s going to mean allowing them to invade your lives, yours theirs.” I immediately was like – yea, what’s different from when I wasn’t doing an “official” small group. I don’t advertise those I sit with, those who I connect with, and those the Lord ask me to “go” nor is it necessary to do so. However, from those Christians I have spoken to and listened to, this seems foreign to them and how they operate in the body of Christ. Why is that? Aren’t all Christians to serve Christ by going “into the world”? Why does it have to be a chore, another scheduled “event” to truly open their lives and their homes to others outside the church, especially non-Christians? I learned from non-Christian parents how to care for the needy, providing clothing to those without, provide shoes for those without, a car and other belongings. And yet in the body of Christ I see many that just assume work with those that are the easy ones to deal with, have it together, and always show up at church for everything. I was not sheltered from the world growing up in an alcoholic home, but if it weren’t for Christians reaching and teaching me who Christ was (from where I was, not in the church), I would not be saved or alive today. It’s the least I can do in return for the Lord to show others the same hope that I was offered in Christ 30 years ago. If just one life finds the hope that I found, it is worth all the spilled pop and time it takes to show them a life without corruption and sin. I like the way Rick worded it, we are trying to look and see how we can apply Biblical principles into their daily lives, where they are, not where we are or where we think they should be. That’s the challenge, but one the Lord desires we seek to please and serve Him.
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