TAKE IT FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH
I went to the movies last Friday. I am not sure about the rest of you but I am a “I have to get there 15 minutes early to watch the previews” type of guy. This particular night I saw the first full length preview for The DaVinci Code, starring Tom Hanks and directed by Ron Howard. The preview was actually better than the full length movie that I saw (Curious George doesn’t have the same pop that it did when I was five). I can honestly say that I am clearing my calendar on May 19th and I will be in the crowd to see this movie on opening night.
My first contact with The DaVinci Code came after completing an internship in Anaheim, CA; upon returning to Cincinnati I had to find a way to keep my mind occupied for the 32 hour drive. After purchasing the book on CD I listened straight through the entire trip; no sports talk radio, no music, just one of the best novels I have ever heard. I began to do my homework on the books author, Dan Brown and read his other best sellers, Angels and Demons (also with theological undertones) and Digital Fortress. Needless to say I became a Dan Brown junkie.
After stating what a great fictional author Dan Brown is and what a great fictional novel The DaVinci Code is, it is important to keep the book in its proper place; a FICTIONAL story that plays off a combination of several liberal theological theories. The mistake that popular media and advertising has made is promoting the movie as theological fact. This has to be a major concern to us because it greatly discredits Biblical authority and reliability.
While this movie tends to cause concern, it also provides tremendous opportunity. Just as movies like The Passion of the Christ, and The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe; The DaVinci Code can be a vehicle to evangelize and present our faith to those who would normally never bring it to the forefront. Having a strong Biblical response to the claims made in The DaVinci Code, will give credibility to the Christian faith as well as open the door for other evangelistic conversations.
One opportunity to prepare a strong biblical response to the claims of The DaVinci Code will be right here on the campus of CCU. On March 23rd from 7pm-9pm or March 24th from 10am-12 noon; Dr David Roadcup, Dr. Tom Thatcher, and Dr. James Smith will be presenting the DaVinci Code Conference - a proper response to its claims about the Christian faith, the history of the Church, and the Holy Grail. Admission is free but we ask that you register online at www.CCUniversity.edu/events .
The DaVinci Code is a great novel by a great author and will be a great movie, but remember to take the story for what it is worth, join us at CCU on the 23rd or 24th to get the story with real value.
Ryan McCarty
Development Representative
ryan.mccarty@CCUniversity.edu
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