The Da Vinci Code

Once again the enemy seems to be succeeding in preoccupying the Church with the unnecessary. I have been hearing about churches organizing boycotts, and instructing members that seeing the movie will damage their faith.
What a sad statement. If watching a movie undermines one’s faith, that is a pretty weak faith…and just more proof that the Church lacks in true discipleship. It seems to me that our reaction is all wrong. I see this as a great opportunity to learn how better to “…always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;” 1 Peter 3:14-16 for the whole thought process.

And maybe these churches are doing that. I was behind a lady at Office Depot the other day, where she had just made copies of a flyer for her church. I noticed that they were going to discuss the Da Vinci Code in detail as it compares to the Bible. I have also seen several church marquees inviting people in for that reason.

I hope that they are handling it right. My fear is that it will produce in people a sort attitude which says, “I am right and you are wrong, and if you disagree with me, I will show you how wrong you are by pounding you with my big Bible until I drive you away or you shut up. Or, I will simply isolate you from my world. [Because my faith is too weak to actually Love you unconditionally and engage you in intelligent conversation] And in the meantime I will certainly boycott that movie! [However, I will not 'boycott' certain other movies, or TV shows that I have no business seeing. And the reason that I am acting this way is because I am a weak, immature Christian with little or no faith of my own…I have only what I get at church on Sundays and Wednesdays]

By the way, have you read the definition of boycott? The words ‘coercion’ and ‘isolation’ are used to describe it. Is this what Jesus intends for us to do?…isolate and coerce the unsaved--or those brothers and sisters who are weak in Faith? I think not.

Josh McDowell has written a book entitled, The Da Vinci Code: A Quest for Answers. (If interested, go here. I have not read it yet, but I have ordered it.) I think Mr. McDowell has a far better approach than the majority of churches. Following are a few excerpts from his study notes that can be downloaded free; also here, under Additional Resources. Pay special attention to ‘Conversation’and ‘Cooperation’.

DEDICATION: …the character in the book who invites his friends Matt and Andrea to meet for spiritual conversations revolving around The Da Vinci Code—is a Christian, who…is intentionally pursuing the Christian’s mission of sharing the good news with others.

PREPARATION: …Chris has prepared to give an answer..he’s already read The Da Vinci Code and he’s all set to invite his friends to learn more with him.

CONVERSATION: …most of Chris’s interaction involves asking questions. He didn’t preach at them; he invited them, asked them, interacted with them—even learned a few things from them. That’s a good model for all of us, to enter true spiritual conversations, talking and listening, giving and taking, asking and answering, in sincere interest and cooperation.

“COOPERATION: One of the best things you’ll see Chris doing…is entering into a process of mutual discovery with Matt and Andrea. He involves them in researching questions they all have, instead of merely telling them what he wants them to know. He asks them for input and feedback, and lets them see and hear who he really is and what he really believes, even as he learns more about them and what they believe. He never seems to forget that they are his friends, and that they deserve to be treated with gentleness and respect.