So please just put the book down and pick up the best book there is to read (The Bible).  Continue to do the will of God and your faith will be bolstered.  James teaches us that as we continue to do things in accordance with God's will, then God will bless us.  The more we are blessed by God the more our faith grows.  It is a circle of building.  Pray and be thankful that God loves you so much He is always willing to take time from His day to listen to you talk about how your day was.

Sincerely
Brother Jerry

I have already told myself not to read anymore of Dan Brown's books. Or anything like Holy Blood, Holy Grail. I am reading The Bible. I just finished reading Romans. And I think Romans 3:23 says it all, that is the golden text of Romans.
All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Remember that.

*Sigh*

 

So I take it you all aren't fans of The Inferno's "divine justice"?

[Revelation 21:8]

Where as the Bible shows, Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

The second death is spiritual death, correct? Does this have anything to do with annihilationism?

Hey Everyone,

I was just wondering if anyone here has read The Inferno.

It is a Catholic view of Hell, including Purgatory. But I don't think It will offend any of you 

If you don't know about it already, The Inferno is about Virgil leading Dante through the nine circles of hell. The complete Divine Comedy includes Dante going through Purgatory and Heaven.

As for translations, I would recommend the translation by John Ciardi.

I guess someone doesn’t grow up overnight. I still have a lot of growing to do, and learning. I recently listened to a sermon by Jim Berg entitled "Anxiety, The Silent Killer". This sermon is one of the best I have heard in a long time, I could relate to the sermon as I listened to it. I found myself going, "Wow, this really correlates to my situation and attitude." The sermon doesn’t specifically talk about not blaming others, but it does outline several problems with most people "these days". I recommend it to anyone dealing with anxiety or depression. That sermon and "More Than Enough Hope" are available on Sermon Audio.

But I digress.

Also you don't have to exaggerate. I know very well that you are not ignorant nor can you plead so in this particular case. You knew what you were doing.

Look, I knew that the book had ideas in it that contradicted the scripture (greatly) but I was ignorant to the fact that the book would damage my faith.

Of course you should find a way that this is my fault. Go ahead.

Ok hopes_daughter,

It's all my fault. I decided to read the book, it's nobody's fault but mine. You know what? I deserve to be apart from God. In fact, I should get leprosy and loose all my money to a scam artist. While I'm at it, I might as well quit school while my skin is falling off and die in a gutter.

Because we all know that everyone should be perfect and not make mistakes. And if they do? Oh, they deserve to suffer.

It's people like you that make me wonder sometimes.

We are really talking about a book and movie that are objected to by most Christians because of false information designed to deceive people about JESUS CHRIST. Here, we have a perfect example that it did deceive and harm faith in JESUS CHRIST. That is generally the work of the devil and is the way most Christians view the Da Vinci Code book and movie.

I realize that now. Thank you for being supportive and giving POSITIVE feedback.

Well I don't know, how far did you get in the da vinci code before you knew it wasn't Christian? The last sentence?

I didn't think it was anti-christian because my sister-in-law who goes to church every sunday and claims to be christian BOUGHT the book and let me BORROW it. I thought it would be safe since i know a couple Christians who have read it and were not offended. Excuse me for being ignorant.

I could easily be wrong, but I think that 'Cracking the Da Vinci' code is a book that shows how false and foolish the Da Vinci code is. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm almost sure I read some news about this.

Yes, that is why I want to read it. Why would I read something I knew would damage my faith? 

Thanks for the Article, DreamWeaver.

I'll copy + paste it into my database of text files. 

[go eat some more Spiritual food from GOD'S WORD.]

It weakened your strength in CHRIST, and that is the nature of garbage and sin. Ask GOD to help you avoid things like this in the future, and listen to the voice of the HOLY SPIRIT in your heart when HE says "NO, this is wrong." When you hear or feel this, put it down and go eat some more Spiritual food from GOD'S WORD.

That is what sin does isn't it? And things like this instill doubt about the true nature of Christianity. It is nothing more than the will of Satan, deceiving all that he can. Or possibly the Antichrist, waiting for the Tribulation, gathering followers.

I used to think that little voice inside me that told me something was wrong was only my conscience or intuition. But now I realize that it is the Holy Spirit, guiding me through life, and hopefully closer to God.

Who cares what anyone else thinks of you.  When you stop careing and worrying what others think of the relationship between you and God is when you are going to feel closer to God.

I do have a problem with caring about what others think of me. Sometimes I just try to ignore it and say, "Thats just the way I am" but I really need to work on it.

I really do want to attend a local church.

You have outlined many different problems in your post or should I say excuses But it seems to me that you realize that you have sinned against God by reading this book.

I have a problem with making excuses, too. 
But I take it everyday at a time and try to live my life like the Lord wants me to.

As for the Da Vinci Code.  Maybe you could post what is bothering you and we could answer some of your questions.

It was the theory about Constantine making Jesus seem divine to make Christianity a political power. The book explained that his miracles were fabrications to make the people follow Christianity. It made too much sense to me, and I guess it deceived my naive mind.

First of all I want to welcome you to Christians Unite. There are many wonderful Christians here that I am sure will give you some excellant support in words and in prayer. I will be praying for you.

Thank You, I am looking forward to being a member here.

To all those willing to listen,


A couple months ago, curiosity took over me and I began reading the Da Vinci Code. Now I am realizing that it was a big mistake.

Before reading this book I had just realized and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I prayed everyday, and I am sure that I received answers from God. I had faith in the Lord and read the bible every night before bedtime. I was at peace with myself after a lifetime of doubt (I was NOT raised in a Christian home).

I began to read the book simply because I didn’t realize that it was Anti-Christian. I had no idea that this book would undermine my faith and leave me confused about the nature of God. I had no idea that it would leave me doubting the validity of The Bible, doubting the life of Jesus himself!

After reading the book I felt that my whole faith had been destroyed, and it didn’t bother me at all. This is what frightened me the most. I didn’t even care that my beliefs had been destroyed. I just went on with my life as if nothing had happened. I feel so distant from God now, but I am able to pray to him again.

I used to pray in deep concentration and ask the Lord questions, and I heard the answers! Now I can only bring myself to ask him for forgiveness, I have neglected him and in the process have lost my faith. I can only ask him now to restore my faith, but nothing has happened yet. No glorious vision. No answer from above. Only silence. This doesn’t mean my faith is gone, it is just damaged. But not beyond repair.

Now I formally ask for your help, I am lost and can’t find myself. Raised in an Agnostic home (or maybe Deist, my parents believe in God) I have never been to church. I had never owned a Bible until I asked a friend for one. I had to find God on my own. And I thought I was at peace with God until I read that awful book.

I know it is fiction, and even the non-fiction book the so-called history is based on (Holy Blood, Holy Grail) is a disgrace to history, and Christ himself! The man that presented the bloodline theory said in court that he had made the whole thing up! I hope to read the book Cracking the Da Vinci Code, but I don’t need that to realize the whole idea behind Holy Blood, Holy Grail is ridiculous.

You might think, "Well this guy obviously wasn't a 'true' Christian because a book wouldn’t damage my faith!"

Well, when I read that book I was on shaky ground with my faith as it was, I had just became a Christian and was very vulnerable to evil influence.

I can anticipate your answers. Go to church. Read Your Bible. Seek help from a pastor. I will be blunt; I have trouble understanding the Bible. I know there are answers within, but I have trouble unlocking them on my own.

And frankly, If I start going to church every Sunday (which I want to do) my parents will think I am crazy, and they will never let me forget that I am just another “religious freak” as they describe people with faith. I wish my parents would wake up and smell the coffee.

I feel stuck, all around me I see hypocrites. They are having premarital sex, doing drugs, going against God’s word and not thinking a second though about it.

I wish I could the peace I had with God before I was deceived by Satan.

Any suggestions would be helpful.