Da Vinci Code

Earlier this week someone asked me why a Christian would want to see a movie or read a book like "The Da Vinci Code" when it is so obviously anti-Christian. I thought about that question and why anyone might want to see or read something so contrary to what we believe.

My answer is that these works, the book and the movie, are first and foremost fiction. They are interesting stories that hold a person's attention. Basically the book is a good read. It is intriguing and sometimes thrilling. But, if you believe the theories behind the book, then you are believing something based on bad theology, bad history, and some literature that was just plain a hoax.

So why should I read it? Well, I can't tell you what you should do, but I read the book so I could intelligently talk with folks about what the world now thinks is important. Already, I have had several opportunities to discuss church history, theology, Christology and several other topics with some folks that otherwise would not have even asked me a question.

Mr. Brown may have an agenda against the church in general and the Catholic Church in particular, I don't know. What I do know is that even extra-biblical evidence points to the fact that the early church thought Jesus was divine long before the Council of Nicea. And, there has been no legitimate evidence found to corraborate any of the allegations that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married.

So here's the deal the way I see it. For two thousand years, the church has worked hard to open its books to the world and point to both the humanity and the divinity of Jesus. It doesn't make good sense for anyone to think that the church has worked so hard to bring people to the faith, only to then keep the "real" truth from them.

Well, that's my thoughts. What about yours? I'd love to talk with you about it. Why not come to church sometime and let's talk. We are a people who believe all are welcome and that the open discussion of ideas is important. What have you got to lose?
Allen