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Christians Urged to Prepare for Sharing Truth After Da Vinci Code Movie Released

By Steve Cable
March 17, 2006

(AgapePress) - The impending release of a movie version of the blockbuster novel The Da Vinci Code is stirring debate in Christian circles. To many, the release represents an attack on the Christian faith. Many others also see in it a door opener for sharing the gospel. The resulting impact will depend on how prepared Christians are to respond effectively.

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown combines a murder mystery with a conspiracy theory that challenges the foundations of Christianity. In this fictional story, Brown's protagonists discover that the Holy Grail is actually Mary Magdalene. According to their sources, Mary Magdalene was the wife of Jesus, the mother of Jesus' child, and the chosen leader of Jesus' church. This information has been kept from the world through a plot instigated by Emperor Constantine to hijack early Christianity for his own purposes. The conspirators commissioned a revised set of gospels promoting the deity of Christ while destroying more accurate documents portraying Jesus as only a great moral teacher. As one of Brown's fictional experts states, "almost everything our fathers taught us about Christ is false."

The Da Vinci Code movie, directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks, is scheduled for a May 19 release. Its release will introduce a broader audience to the disturbing claims of the novel. Should Christians ignore the movie, picket the movie, or encourage people to see the movie? Each of these positions is being espoused by at least one well known Christian. Whatever position one takes on viewing the movie, it is clear that Christians should be prepared to respond to the public reaction it for the following reasons:

Impact on Culture. The novel has sold over 30 million copies and the movie will be a major media event. According to research by the Barna Group, "Nearly one-third of adults (29%) contend that movies have had a substantial impact on the development of their personal morals, values and religious beliefs."

Challenge to Our Faith. Many Christians who are not well grounded in apologetics were influenced by the book, says Barna. "... 53% of a national sample of adults who have read The Da Vinci Code from cover to cover stated that the book had been helpful in their 'personal spiritual growth and understanding.'"

Opportunity for the Gospel. The novel/movie creates a natural bridge to eternally important topics. The ease with which these conspiracy theories can be unmasked as flimsy fictions can move the Christian into an authority role adding weight to their testimony.

Christians Urged to Prepare for Sharing Truth After Da Vinci Code Movie Released (http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/3/172006f.asp)

Ok. The DaVinci Code is bad. We get it.

And if Christians only share the truth when there are big, public "anti-Christian" events such as this, then how much of a Christian are they really?

Hello Sapphire,

There are millions of Christians who try to share the TRUTH and the GOOD NEWS every day. In fact, many of them are being beaten, tortured, put in prison, or killed for the attempt.

It's also true that the vast majority of Christians don't have big budgets, fancy movie equipment, and theaters to use in trying to do God's Work. So, it's pretty discouraging at times when we see the resources of the devil at work. One of the big things that Christians must learn is to keep working and not let the devil get us down. We can receive encouragement from the Promises of God that His Word will always be used and never return void. Maybe that should really be the big point of this thread.

It really doesn't matter how simple or meager the resources are of God's children in trying to spread the GOOD NEWS. God will use them and us to do His Will. We will need strength, determination, and encouragement to keep going, and we can get that from God's Word and each other.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Revelation 1:7-8 NASB  BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen. "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

Brother,

You are missing the point, you can point out to those seeing the movie in the Bible why the movie is bad. Your testimony Sapphire, can speak volumes brother. Use it to testify to those seeing the movie.

Sister Sapphire is only 17, and mature then most his age in Christ. In someways, he like to harrass us, with his comments. ::)  As only a teenage boy can do....... ;)

TalkerCat,

Sister, you're right, we are everywhere and we're trying to yield to God in doing whatever He Will. I give thanks whenever I hear about or see the work that God is doing in these possible last days of the Age of Grace.

Here's something that I've been thinking about that I wish all Christians would think about. We all know that God could do BIG and HUGE things that would make the devil look silly, but God doesn't choose to do this. Instead, He is using His own children, working in and through them.

Think about this for a minute and see how you feel. I know that we are completely unworthy for Almighty God to use, but I also know that He wants to use us, and we feel Him leading us to do things for Him. It really doesn't matter how big or how little the task is that HE wants us to do, it's a matter of honor and love for us to simply yield and do His Will.

Please think about the partial explanation of a secret that is explained in the Holy Bible. You will see portions of Scripture that say something like this, "These things I tell you that your joy might be more full." They usually pertain to good works, Christian living, Christian testimony, and many other positive things that Christians should and could do. They really boil down to instructions for Christians to be happy and joyful in JESUS. There are many levels of joy and happiness, so it shouldn't be much of a surprise to find out that the more yielded a Christian is to God, the happier and more joyful that Christian will be. When you hear or feel the leading of the Holy Spirit, just say, "Yes LORD, Your Will be done." Don't just say it, mean it with your heart, rejoice that God wants to use you, and go do His Will. Know that God will equip you for the work He wants done, and pray that He will help you do and say ONLY the things that will bring GLORY to HIM.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Colossians 1:9-12 NASB  For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.

"Christians of Convenience", maybe?  :-\

Oh wait! That was a rhetorical question, right?  ;)

??? ??? ???


But are "we" sharing the truth?
Or are we only "united" when it's "against" something?

I'd just like to make 1 comment here, I have already posted on this subject on another thread.
All Christians should  be united in Jesus and ALL should be sharing the truth  always, while we are able to do so. Many Brothers and Sisters are losing their lives here on earth for dong just that in spite of the fact that they know what awaits them.

I can always count on sincereheart to understand me.  ;)

I didn't mean to turn this into a whole thing. Heck, I didn't even read the article. It's just that the title of the thread makes it seem like, as sincereheart put it, we should only be Christians when it's convenient for us.

Because, let's be honest, it's a lot easier to witness if you're witnessing against something tangible.

And Dear Sapphire, if you think that Christians only come out for media releases such as this, you obviously haven't been a Christian very long or you're a very weak one; because trust me little brother, WE'RE EVERYWHERE!

...And for the reasons stated above, this offends me.

Don't be offended Sapphire. Your posts are short and sweet and therefore easy for someone to misunderstand if they don't already know you. I've been here almost two years now and I still have a hard time understanding the meaning of some of your posts.

I must agree with your statements though as the Bible tells us we must be ready in season and out of season.

I have been here, just short of two years (3 more days is 2 yrs.) I have finally figured him out. He is a normal teenager brother. Who like to make off the wall comments at times. I believe it is called scarsm.

I don't understand teenage boys, abd I;m not even going to try. Believe me nothing is harder than trying to understand teens, I raised 3 girls, now I am raisibg 2 more teens and it's still as hard as it was when I went thru my other daughter's teenage years.
So little brother don't think I ignore your posts, I just sometimes don't know what to make of them. So I don't respond.

After finishing raising my son, boys are harder then girls to raise. Girls are a cake walk, compared to boys.

YEAH RIIIIIGHT you mentioned 1 boy try 5 girls with atittudes!!!

How about, 1 girl, and 1 boy with atittudes!!!! My late wife said I was like a rock, that couldn't be moved. Both of my children are that way. ::)

How about 1 boy, 3 girls all alone without help from their dad morally or fiancially, and 2 stepdaughters with troubled backgrounds

I can't say that sister, I was always there when my kids were growing up. Heck, I'm still there for them if they need it. :D  I've helped others with kids as well. We had a family of 2 of our own. We also had outside kids, that called us mom and dad. almost 32 of them. When my wife was killed, they all attended her funeral. They all keep in touch with me today, which is why I was gone most of today.

All alone? No mom in the picture?

ROFL! I can *see* that!

Yeah me, I was the mom and dad too, lol believe it or not one time my kids gave me a Father's Day card. :(

Thanks sister!!

I believe it is called scarsm.

Actually, I believe it's called sarcasm.  ;)

And if I may chime in on this little teenage boy/girl discussion, I never gave my parents any trouble really; all in all, I was probably exceptionally easy to raise. Now, my little sister, who's just recently turned 14, is pretty much exactly the opposite.

Thus, I'd have to say girls are tougher to raise.

But then again, what do I know about parenting?

Boys - girls, Girls - boys. All of them are quite a task to raise, each of them having their own personalities that make it a different task altogether. I have 1 girl and 2 boys, plus raised many more (nieces/nephews mostly) each one had their own difficulties. Some more difficult than others.

AMEN brother!

Ah! Then they weren't all alone!

 ;D

Probably more than any adult would like to admit! I bet you can relate to being a teen better than any!  ;)

I know many "normal teenagers" and he certainly doesn't qualify as one. (That's a good thing, Sapphire W34PON. Not that normal ones are bad... They aren't.)

I know many "normal teenagers" and he certainly doesn't qualify as one.

What's normal?

Hello Sapphire,

Great Question! I don't think that there is an answer for that. I remember being a teenager 40+ years ago, and I seem to remember changing my attitude and opinions about things almost daily.  :D  Is that normal? I don't know.

Let's see:  1) determine who you are;  2) determine what you want to be;  3) determine how to get there; 4) change your mind and start over. In the meantime, old people over the age of 20 who aren't very smart keep messing with you. Am I close?  :D

Love In Christ,
Tom

Matthew 5:14-16 NASB  "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;  nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Watch out, DW!  ;D

TC, Should we be praying for you about that "attitude"?  ;)

I can't even begin to count the number of times I changed my major!  :-X


ROFL!  ;D

ROFL!
(http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0SADRApEW6UsPkak0fqBh5vLjgjXow2EbRTv7VYvyQynqfD9kqDsbwSwUxsNRu4FYRwAvSiGAdQP4w9TyAZPILeLt*VizeR0lzOfWPZE9npxLAAAAynJNAg/seen_norm.gif?dc=4675495658848917302)

Just for you, Sapphire W34PON  ;)

(http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TgAAAPQY7*7xeN!SaxAtKAO9HPhQPseamKfwkvO5ZMCR4PQz1uevy5yvjVJ2J2nLiyUuLoZMtGRELmwRW2P*RV9kt7OgLiJZkI8BOow35L*F5XSy4*Zs2A/do_noth_be_noth.gif?dc=4675495658349842102)

TalkerCat:
I was extraordinarily disappointed in your responses. Although I clearly understand that no saint on earth is perfect, your cold-heartedness and judgementalism shocked me. I was greatly blessed by many of your earlier posts. Apparently your lack of love for "smart alecs" is your weakness.

As professing Christians, we are blatantly sinning when we look down on others, judging them. How are you to know someone's heart? Any form of prejudice is evil, be it towards different races, different opinions, or those with different mind-sets or ways of expressing themselves. We must show God's kindness to all. As the saying goes, "Love the sinner, hate the sin." It's obvious you can show His love to others - I've seen it shine through many of your posts. Try showing it to all, even those you apparently loathe. Don't look down on anyone - try to see them through Jesus' eyes. How do you think God feels when you show derison to another one of His children, no matter who? You know He doesn't show favoritism, as it states in many Scriptures.

As you said in "Re: GOD don't want you to have TATTOO",


What kind of statement are you making?

Dear sister, I don't mean to preach at you! I just hate to see anyone getting stepped on, no matter who's doing the stepping. The only reason I'm even saying anything is because I understand how hard it is sometimes. Recently one of my co-workers has, shall we say, "gone to the dark side of the Force". She's a very unhappy lady, I believe, and though she says she's a Christian, she's doing more harm than good. She has the nasty little habit of talking about others behind their backs, gossiping and spreading lies, sometimes to the point of being openly hateful and malicious (most recently, and most vindictively about myself, but others on occasion). It hurts. However, I've found that the more love you show someone bothering you (whether they do so intentionally or unintentionally)... You just can't imagine how wonderful it is! Whether or not they "act better", you know deep in your soul that you did the right thing. It's a beautiful feeling. I hope you can share it soon.

With love in Christ,
kestrel

brothers and sisters, I think all concerned here need to take some time out. What I see here is people accusing someone of something and then doing just that same thing themselves.

A lack of understanding people and their intentions is easily done on a forum such as this when we cannot see the expressions and meanings behind what is said.

My apologies! I was trying to inject laughter to lighten things up and apparently failed. My reference to DW was a joking reference to him referring to himself as a smart-aleck ("smarty pants") in another thread.

I apologze most especially to Sapphire W34PON who's not even here to defend himself. In my efforts to lighten things up, it seemed to just fuel the fire. And now it feels like "gossip" since he's not here.

So for my part in all this, please accept my apologies to all concerned!

Brothers and Sisters,

As a career police officer, I know that the subject of teens is a very "iffy" subject, and it really needs to be put into context with one's thoughts at the time from their perspective. It appears there are several perspectives being considered in the last few posts, and I have a few other perspectives from law enforcement.

First, I can tell all of you that I taught my children to show respect, and there were obviously many things that I didn't tolerate. I'm sure that the same is true for all Christians who love their children.

I knew teens who were already career criminals at 13 years old. I also knew alcoholics and drug addicts at 10 years old. I worked with many teens who didn't live to 20 and many others who had their third or 4th trip to prison by age 20. In short, I'll tell you that I remember many who broke my heart and the hearts of other police officers who had been working with them, on and off duty.

Parents were most often the primary cause for teens who were headed for prison or the grave, but that wasn't the case all of the time. There were actually many cases where the parents became prisoners in their own homes and threatened or abused by their own children. I know that sounds odd, but it was really pretty common, especially when gangs, alcohol, dope, and single parent homes were involved.

It's true that I don't know how to define a normal teen, but I have a pretty good idea about how to describe decent teens who have a very bright future and they're simply struggling through the very difficult teen years. I probably also have a pretty good idea about how to describe exceptional teens who might be leaders or anything else they might wish for the future, and those I mainly know from church settings.

It hasn't been long ago that guns became the most common way for a teenager to die. I say this only to make a point that society obviously doesn't have a very good handle on ways to deal with teens in the gangs, dope, and other things associated with going down a path to their own doom. I have many ideas about how parents should have done different things, but it's really too late in the teen years to correct out of control problems that have been brewing for the majority of the teen's life. It definitely involves teaching respect for authority, the parents being the first to receive proper respect. However, you now have to talk about parents who were drug addicts, alcoholics, and involved in criminal activity or otherwise very poor role models in teaching anything, especially respect for authority. So, teens who are out of control or on a path to doom probably had a lot of neglect and/or abuse from improper parents.

I mainly wanted to mention a few things that would illustrate how multi-faceted this discussion could be and is. Regarding Sapphire, he probably fits into the category of exceptional teens who will be leaders or whatever else they wish in the future. That doesn't suggest that they don't have a few rough spots to go through. I don't know of any teens who don't have a few problems to deal with.

Ref. this thread, I really think there were some misunderstandings because of folks thinking in different perspectives - all correct I might add. But, regardless of how many perspectives our society has tried to think about teens, many of the results are a crying shame for a civilized country. There has to be better answers, more perspectives considered, and society as a whole trying to stop what is happening to SO MANY teens in this country. I have dozens of pictures of their faces still in my mind - the ones who went to their dooms.

In my heart, I'm positive that raising children in the LORD is the biggest key to having a young adult ready and able to make it in this harsh world. I am so happy that I knew and got to see many teens over my career who did make it, and they will be the leaders with a happy and productive life. What good and caring parents can't do, JESUS is with the Christian teens, and I smile every time that I think about them. This should be a matter of prayer for every Christian all over the world.

Name calling is not proper when Christians are involved in a reasonable discussion. It might even be good to get some input from Sapphire for this discussion. I know beyond any doubt at all that fine young adults are not an accident, and you would be surprised to find out how many fine young adults have been involved with police and other agencies in trying to find solutions. After all, many of them have become victims of the gang members, dope dealers, and other criminal types.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Psalms 37:39-40 NASB  But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, Because they take refuge in Him.

Amen Brother. I had to quote that because it is well worth repeating. I understand precisely what you mean.

Amen sister. He does have a way doesn't he.

Hello TalkerCat,

Sister, I just read this thread again, and it brought back memories for me when I was a teen. One of them made me laugh pretty hard. I remember thinking that people over the age of 25 were over the hill and out of touch with reality.  ;D  I also remember many social studies that made me think:  If I didn't have so much homework, I could give them the answers to straighten everything out. We thought we could run the country from the school and do a much better job than the politicians. NOW, I'm laughing about today and wondering if some sharp group of young adults COULD actually run the country better than Congress and the Senate.  ;D

I'm glad that I got a few grins because it also brought back many bad memories of the failures in police work. Many of us volunteered for off duty work in neighborhood projects, sports, and all kinds of positive things to try and help who we called "at risk kids." That was one of the concepts of what was called "Community Oriented Policing", and it did involve a lot of volunteer work and time by people who cared about the future of the kids. Part of it even involved some pretty personal work like mentoring and trying to be one who would listen to their problems and try to steer them in the right direction. The work was very positive and satisfying, but many of the results did break our hearts. But, there were also some success stories that made us very happy. In short, it was an emotional roller-coaster ride, and going to many of their funerals was hard.

Now, I'm thinking about the original topic of this thread. I already know some adults calling themselves Christians who buy part or all of the DaVinci Code and other recent books that cause doubt in the Bible by actually calling it a lie. If some adult Christians can be deceived, many young adults will also be deceived. This makes me very sad because I know that life is pretty hard at times, even with JESUS with us. Many pretty intelligent people will reject the JESUS depicted in the DaVinci code, but OUR JESUS isn't in the DaVinci code. May God help us stand up against the devil!

Love In Christ,
Tom

Proverbs 2:7-8 NASB  He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones.

All this has me thinking. And yes, thinking IS painful for me! :P
I think it's true that we all come from different perspectives on this. What saddens me though, is that one teen is being held up as a scapegoat for ALL teens.  :'(
And the subject of "teens" has always been around and always will be. Each generation remembers how things were "back in the day"....


One of the many lessons I want my kids to learn is that, even though it's not always easy- we have to see any person, of any age, through the eyes of the Lord.  And in His eyes, there is worth! Not one of us is any better than the other! And though we all have different personalities, there is a place for us with Him!

Amen! I've worked with kids for 25 years in the classroom, in counseling, in Sunday School, and in my own home. I've worked with "normal" kids and every exceptionality in Special Education. I've had desks thrown at me and guns pulled on me and even been asked out by some.  ::) Oh yeah, I even had one young man pull off his leg (literally - it was wooden) and threaten me with it. That was all in the emotionally disturbed/behavior disordered class, by the way.  ;) Though they were a volatile group, they were also amazing in their love!  :D

The group of kids that I saw that were most misunderstood were the special education kids in the "Gifted" classes. Those were the best and brightest of all kids- test wise- with high expectations thrust on them because of their "giftedness". 

The biggest problem I've seen has to do with the fact that parents have become so materialistically minded that children are left to raise themselves. They don't need more "rod", they simply need parents to care and be there for them! Our societal expectations have decreased the value of doing without "things" to care for what the Lord calls "blessings".

It's funny, but I remember being a teen and I remember them being much like they are now, personality-wise!  ;) And for the record, I don't ever want to be a teen again!  :-\

Amen! Only today's parents demand respect without earning it and by that I mean that they simply aren't there for our youth! Our youth are simply left alone to raise themselves!

Amen! And I'll say it again- I don't ever want to be a teen again!

:'(

Amen! As a parent, knowing God has His hand on them sure makes me rest easier!  :D

Amen again! And I don't see how calling a Christian brother in Christ as "weak" is helpful when he actually has a valid point about Christians only speaking out against something. 

Hello Sincereheart,

Sister, I think there were several misunderstandings. Communications on a forum with someone you don't know anything about is difficult, especially after the misunderstandings are several layers deep with various posters. I think this thread is a good example of just how easy misunderstandings develop. We've all done it, even those of us who have used forums for years.

I just hope that we're all past the bump in the road and maybe be able to drive around the next one.

Love in Christ,
Tom

Psalms 139:9-10 NASB  If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me.

*Fluffs hair again* You poor things! Luckily, I've never done that!  ;D

Like on the Autobohn?  :o

Blessed are the peacemakers, Tom!  :-*

;D  Sister, I haven't done it today yet, but my wife did have to send me to my room for other mistakes I made. I told her I didn't do anything, so I have to stay here until I remember.   ;D   ;D  I'm beginning to think that second childhood might be rough.

Ooh! Smart man! So you get all that peace and quiet?  :o
Hmmm.... I wonder if I can get sent to my room? ???
By the way, my 2nd childhood wasn't near as much fun as my 3rd!  ;D

I wouldn't know anything about a 2nd or 3rd childhood.


My wife and kids say that I haven't left my first one yet.


 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

The ills of the world is a deep dark sickness. It is a sickness that is taking over many of our young through the uncaring inaction of those who supposedly care for them. The cure ( the medicine) for both is Jesus Christ and His word. The instrument for delivery (the syringe) is we, ourselves.

Do we try to jab that cure in hard and fast with tremendous force or do we do so with love and compassion, grieving for those that are already suffering so?



I, too work with many teens and their parents daily. It is a travesty what both are going through. True many of them are putting themselves through this pain, but unknowingly so, not knowing there is a better way.

Have you been doing your part in delivery the message to these poor lost souls? As Sapphire pointed out, something we should be doing daily at every opportunity not just when something such as the movie gives us something to complain about.

See? This is why I hardly ever post anymore. Every time I do, arguments full of misunderstandings arise. Just 'cause I'm a teen.

*Yawn.*

As long as you understand that it's all your fault!   ::)
And it will, of course, be different when you're 18....  :-\
or is it 21-  ???
unless you missed it when you were 13, going by Jewish tradition.  :o
Hey! Did you have a Bar Mitzvah?  8)

Ok, I think I've used most of the smilies!  :P

This thread is now locked.