[Apologetics] Fw: 14) The Da Vinci Code

[Stephen Korsman]

FYI.  Stephen

*
What is The Da Vinci Code?*
The Da Vinci Code is a novel written by American author Dan Brown and published in 2003. It is a worldwide bestseller with 36 million copies in print (as of August 2005) and has been translated into 44 languages. 


*Novel Synopsis*
While in Paris on business, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon receives an urgent late-night phone call: the elderly curator of the Louvre has been murdered inside the museum. Near the body, police have found a baffling cipher. While working to solve the enigmatic riddle, Langdon is stunned to discover it leads to a trail of clues hidden in the works of da Vinci. 

Langdon joins forces with a gifted French cryptologist, Sophie Neveu, andlearns the late curator was involved in the Priory of Sion - a secret society whose members included Sir Isaac Newton, Botticelli, Victor Hugo, and da Vinci, among others. 

In a breathless race through Paris, London, and beyond, Langdon and Neveu match wits with a faceless powerbroker who seems to anticipate their every move. Unless Langdon and Neveu can decipher the puzzle in time, the Priory's ancient secret -- and an explosive historical truth -- will be lost forever.


*Gods Truth comes into Question*
The Da Vinci Code appears to be your average thriller, right? However the "explosive historical truth" is alleged evidence that calls into question the deity of Jesus Christ. This evidence suggests Jesus had a secret marriage to Mary Magdalene and that their bloodline is still alive today. The church (primarily Catholic Church) is accused of covering this up for centuries in order to retain its power and influence. 


*Why would anyone believe this?*
Well, the book opens with the claim by Dan Brown that "all descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate". As widely noted in the media, there has been substantial confusion among readers about whether the book is factual. One of Dan Brown's characters from the novel even states, "The historical evidence supporting this [story] is substantial." 

Brown also uses a combination of mythology and half-truths founded on a skewed perspective of Church history. In Brown's view, the heretics in the early Church were the real truth-tellers, and the Church banned their doctrines because they threatened the Church's power base. Finally, Brown has his characters claim that the Gospels aren't historically accurate. Instead, it's the Gnostic gospels - books discarded by the early Church as unreliable - that tell the truth about Jesus. 


*The Da Vinci Code Movie is Coming*
On May 19th, The Da Vinci Code will launch worldwide as a major motion picture. It is expected to be the biggest movie release of 2006. It stars Tom Hanks (Forrest Gump, Apollo 13), Ian McKellen (The Lord of the Rings), and many other Hollywood stars. Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13) is directing the film and Hans Zimmer (The Lion King, Gladiator) is composing the original score. 

Millions of people around the world will see The Da Vinci Code for the first time. Your friends, your family, coworkers, and neighbours will watch this movie and have questions. 

Are you ready to give a response for the hope you have? Do you feel equipped to answer their tough questions when they arise? 


*An Opportunity to Reach Out*
It is amazing how God can use something intended to mislead to instead point to the truth about His son, Jesus Christ. We want Christians to use this movie as an opportunity to talk with their non-Christian friends, family, and acquaintances. The movie will start the conversation and it's up to us to help steer it in the right direction. 

The Jesus Film Project and TruthMedia are teaming up to bring you and others the information, ideas, and resources you need to talk with your friends and
loved ones in a real and educated manner. 


*What we are doing to Help?*
TruthMedia has developed a brand new website < http://www.DiscussDaVinci.com > www.DiscussDaVinci.com that is intended to be used in partnership with other evangelistic sites. Here visitors can engage in real dialogue about the movie and start to uncover the truth about what is fact and what is fiction. 

< http://nltr.crusade.org/images/tdtu/dv_cover.gif > The website will also contain articles and video clips of apologetic material that will help visitors find the truth in a non-threatening way. Hundreds of trained Christian email mentors will be ready to take personal emails from visitors who have more questions on faith and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 

In 2004, TruthMedia created a similar website in conjunction with the movie The Passion of the Christ. In only five weeks from the launch, there were over 391,000 unique visitors, 143,000 people exposed to a concrete gospel message, over 1,500 indicated a rededication to Jesus, and 868 indicated a new decision for Christ. It was absolutely astounding to see God work in this way! 

We believe we can expect these same results from The Da Vinci Code strategy.


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