Friday, April 28, 2006

Yes, by all means, seek the truth

About a year ago, I was watching a priest from the Catholic organization Opus Dei, which is villified in Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, defend the secretive group's practices on television. My friend, not a Christian, immediately saw this as an opportunity to probe me about my views, since he apparently saw The Da Vinci Code as some sort of indictment of Christianity. Even though I hadn't read the book, I knew it's basic premise was hogwash. Yes, it might be nice reading, but it's FICTION for crying out loud! To my knowledge, Dan Brown has not come forth and tried to advertise his book as anything else. Yet, my friend and many other people see The Da Vinci Code as laying bare the man-made origins of Christianity. (Hence, the upcoming movie's tagline: Seek the truth.)

Anyhoo ...

The Wall Street Journal's OpinionJournal.com had an essay today on how Christian groups are taking advantage of The Da Vinci Code movie to spread the gospel.
They certainly aren't embracing "The Da Vinci Code" and its conspiracy theories about the supposed marriage of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, the phony divinity of Christ and so on. Yet many view the film as providing an unconventional occasion--a "teachable moment," as they say--to spread their faith. "It's a marvelous opportunity to be positive," said Josh McDowell of Campus Crusade for Christ in the Orlando Sentinel. "If you look carefully, truth will always stand."

The movie's tagline happens to be "seek the truth"--a phrase that feels like an invitation to explore and think rather than a demand to watch and submit. It distantly echoes Acts 17:11, which urges people to read Scripture so that they may determine its validity.
I think this is an excellent idea, especially given how much interest the whole thing has generated.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

yes! My parents' church did a movie night on Sunday with a movie that discusses, and refutes, much of the silly stuff in the DaVinci Code. Of course the book's a good read, and the movie should be fun. You just need to suspend intelligence and belief to buy it. The people that actually believe that stuff work harder at not believing Christianity than we have to work to believe it!

Tyson said...

"The people that actually believe that stuff work harder at not believing Christianity than we have to work to believe it!"

that's an interesting way to look at it, saur! seems many people are eager to believe untruth cloaked in even the thinnest of veneers. however, we are no better than they, for the bible says God has revealed truth to us who believe ... i've been thinking a lot about predestination recently. not that i buy the once saved, always saved stuff, but it helps humble me to remember that God is the one who showed mercy, and my belief is not merit on my part.