Will you see the DaVinci Code movie?

[Ben W]

I note that the Catholic church has called for a boycott of the DaVinci code movie, will Baptists be participating in this boycott?

 

[thjplgvp]

I am purchasing the book today in order to more clearly understand the reasons evangelicals are speaking against it. If it is based on the gnostic gospels I don't see the problem at this point since those gospels have never been considered accurate nor part of the cannon.

 

[Daughter]

I won't be going to see it but I plan to be reading up about it (from Christian apologetics websites such as John Ankerberg's)lest anyone asks me any questions about our faith after seeing the film or reading the book.

Me and my hubby were saying this morning that we find it fascinating how many are treating this as though it were non-fiction. satan definitely is the father of lies!!!

 

[Daughter]

Originally posted by thjplgvp:
If it is based on the gnostic gospels I don't see the problem at this point since those gospels have never been considered accurate nor part of the cannon.

You're right but I'm concerned about those who don't know this - such as possibly new Christians or the unsaved...

Mind you I just heard it got a bad review in Cannes... but then again there's so much hype it's unlikely to flop.

 

[thjplgvp]

I would be interested in hearing the reasons why one would believe that seeing the film is a sin.

Would someone care to elaborate?

 

[Karen]

Here is a partial answer to your question. If at all like the book, it portrays the Lord as a liar and a deceiver.
Do you not think watching such things goes against honoring Who the Lord Jesus is?

Can you just dismiss attempts to besmirch the Lord as "it's just fiction"? I can't.

Karen

 

[KenH]

I have no plans to watch this movie but that is a personal choice unrelated to the stance of the Catholic Church.

 

[UnchartedSpirit]

Several Church leaders have suggested preparing to take someone else who desires to see it just because it has blasphemy, and then talk to him/her about the TRUTH that the movie and or book has portrayed. I don't have enough memory to do so, and I'll probably look silly reading directly from one of those code cracking books, so I don't have to see it.

 

[Priscilla Ann]

I do plan to see the movie. The book was a great piece of fiction and I'm eager to see it on the big screen.

 

[thjplgvp]

Karen, (my wifes name)

Are you saying you read the book? Secondly is it my sin because I hear or read or see someting that suggests a moral problem with Jesus even though it is a false assumption?

I am not taking exception with your answer but I fail to see how someone elses portrayal of Christ causes me to sin.

 

[Emily25069]

I will see it. Our church is doing a 4 week long study on Sunday Evenings against some of the fallacies that the book and movie portray, and I think it will be good to have at least seen the movie.

Having said that, it was originally something I wanted nothing to do with. My husband brought the book home a few weeks back and I practically tossed it across the room. I have heard it called a good work of fiction, but if something portrays Jesus as a liar, even if fiction, can it really be called good? I think not.

My husband is leading one of the small group studies at our church though, so he does have to have either the book read or see the movie and its doubtful that he will make it through the rest of the book with how big of a work load he has.

 

[Hope of Glory]

I find that it helps to be knowledgeable about a subject if you are going to confront someone about it. That's why, if you're going to confront someone about Harry Potter, read it. Mormonism? JW's?

 

[Karen]

Originally posted by thjplgvp:
Karen, (my wifes name)

Are you saying you read the book? Secondly is it my sin because I hear or read or see someting that suggests a moral problem with Jesus even though it is a false assumption?

I am not taking exception with your answer but I fail to see how someone elses portrayal of Christ causes me to sin.

I have not read the book, but I have read a number of things by people I consider reputable. I have no trouble with people reading something such as this book, though, to engage the culture.
I do have trouble with people reading something that dishonors the Lord and denies cardinal doctrines of the faith and calling it "just entertainment" and enjoyable.
Someone else's portrayal of Christ does not cause you to sin. It is what you do with that portrayal that counts.

We need to recover a sense of the holiness of God and Who He is.

Karen

 

[Karen]

Originally posted by Priscilla Ann:
I do plan to see the movie. The book was a great piece of fiction and I'm eager to see it on the big screen.

You certainly can do as you wish. But I am troubled that you consider this a great piece of fiction. Why?
Where would you draw the line in untrue things said about the Lord in a work of fiction?

Karen

 

[Sir Joyful]

I do plan to see it. I would like to know some of the specifics in the instance I do need to explain it to someone. This isn't the first movie about this topic This movie addresses many of the same Ideas. Just another bit of what the world loves to do, cast doubt on the truth.

 

[Marcia]

Those who are planning to see the movie but not read the book, please be aware that the movie softens some of what the book alleges. This brief article explains that:
http://www.religionnewsblog.com/14672/Da-Vinci-Code-Backs-Away-From-Book

I am planning to see the movie because of my ministry. I read the book and marked things as I read that were against Christ or the Bible, and then read several online articles that point out the errors in the book. I've marked my book accordingly. I do this to be prepared to answer questions and to talk to those who have read it and are being influenced by it.

The book brings up a lot of old attacks on Christ, such as Gnosticism. It also brings up the idea of a feminine consort for God and even alleges it is true. This seems to come from the Kabbalah and other esoteric beliefs.

I have a page on my website with links to helpful articles on the book
http://cana.userworld.com/cana_DaVinciCode.html

My pastor is doing a 4-part series on this, pointing to the truth as found in God's word vs. some of the heresies revived by this book. One of the main characters is a historian and he spouts off historical "facts" as though they are true.

 

[Marcia]

Daughter, since you are in London, you might find this article of interest:

Two thirds of Britons who have read Dan Brown's thriller believe that Jesus fathered a child with Mary Magdalene, a claim rejected as baseless by historians and Bible scholars.

Those who have read it are also four times as likely to think that the conservative Roman Catholic organisation Opus Dei, whose members include the Cabinet minister Ruth Kelly, is a murderous sect.

Seventeen per cent of readers are convinced that the lay group, whose founder was canonised by the late Pope John Paul II, has ordered or carried out a murder, compared with four per cent of those who have not read the book.

..{ }.... The poll found that more than one in five British adults has read the book, which has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide, and that a large proportion believe its central claims.

Sixty per cent of the adults polled said after reading the book that they believed there was truth in the suggestion that Jesus had children and that his bloodline survives, compared with 30 per cent of those who have not read it.

http://www.religionnewsblog.com/14671/Most-Da-Vinci-Code-readers-believe-Jesus-fathered-a-child--UK-poll-finds

 

[swaimj]

Down the hill from our church building is a theatre, and next door to that is a diner. On Saturday and Sunday nights after the movie our church is hosting "Coffee, Tea, and DaVinci" at the diner. We are offering complimentary coffee or tea to anyone who wants to come discuss the movie. We're praying for a good response and opportunities to share the gospel.

To prepare for this I have read the book and I plan to see the movie.

 

[Karen]

swaimj,
That sounds great.

Karen

 

[Daughter]

Marcia,

That's exactly what I mean! People are ready to believe all that rubbish from Dan Brown... yet scoff at the truths of Scripture.

Yep satan truly is the father of lies and has many deceived.