Watching The DaVinci Code: Good Stewardship?
After sending out the announcement earlier today about my DaVinci Code review, a friend wrote to me in a private email, questioning why I would even spend a dime to see that movie. The writer went on to explain that the only reason these kinds of movies are made is to put money in the hands of Hollywood's producers and investors, and to confuse young Christians.
I responded that, first of all, I got into the movie for free because a friend runs the theater, but regardless I would have paid to see it because I want to know what's going on. A cultural event of this magnitude needs to be addressed by the body of Christ. I cannot talk to others about it, if I myself have not seen it, or read the book.
It's a story that deals with the core of our faith, questioning the very Divinity of Christ. That's why I went to see it. I don't think that God wants us to bury our heads in the sand.
I want to know where I need to prepare and learn so I can be ready, like Peter tells us ...
"... Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have ..." (I Peter 3:15)
Is viewing a film like this good stewardship of our time and money? Or is it poor stewardship, giving over to the devil what belongs to God (those are my words now, not the original emailer I noted above)?
Comments welcomed.
posted by weave @ 2:30 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
The History Channel has had numerous documentories from different viewpoints with international input. They have also reviewed the movie. Your excuse in support of viewing the movie is very, "of this world". Spin it anyway you like. There are also many books available on the subject, again with diverse point of view.The last thing a person who is walking by faith with the Lord needs, is to run to the theater to make him a better or more aware and educated christian. Hollywood has you, isn't it scary how smooth Satan works?
Ellie,
There are also many books by Christian leaders who have written and refuted the book's claims. Here are three:
The Truth Behind the DaVinci Code by Richard Abanes
The Davinci Code Fact or Fiction? by Hank Hanegraaff and Paul Maier
Cracking DaVinci's Code: You've Read the Fiction, Now Read the Facts by James L. Garlow and Peter Jones
And Dr. Kennedy's ministry has produced a DVD titled The DaVinci Delusion.
How could these refutations have been written without reading The DaVinci Code? Are you telling me that all of these Christians' excuses are very "of this world," too? I don't buy your reasoning at all.
In my view, the cause behind the alarm in the Church over the DaVinci phenomena is present because the Church has done a poor job of instructing and discipling believers in the core elements of our faith. The advent of this film and the Church's reaction to it exposes a weaknesses in both the American evangelical church and the Catholic church. For the one who is rooted in Christ, there is nothing in this film to be afraid of.
Having said that, I am certainly not implying that every Christian should see it. I am not pushing this film. I went to see it for the reasons I explained in my posting. But each of us must determine how God is leading us and respond accordingly. Some of us may have the liberty to do so, and others may not.
Thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog. I invite you to return and read more of my stuff.
I'm not sure that I will view the movie. I haven't read the book, although I am learning about it at Sunday school via the Lee Strobel video and workbook. I am not usually a fan of that type of movie, so I am not drawn to it to begin with. But I also don't want to watch something that will offend me - whether it is an R rated movie with offending language or visuals, or a movie that offends the foundations of my spiritual beliefs. I have too many other positive options to spend my limited time on. I do appreciate reading Mark's perspective because I know him and trust him. Ultimately, though, how prepared I am to minister to an unbeliever who has bought the lies in this book is my responsibility.
I'm very passionate about God and his son Jesus Christ. You kids don't know me but I'm not considered judgemental or critical. If I took the time to comment it was because I was profoundly struck by what I read.
I was called to prompt you by the spirit of God that works in me. My comment was not about me, but the concern was about your walk with him and many others who you may be influencimg on your blog. Did you ask God in prayer if he wanted to to see the movie and then share it on the web?
Thanks, Ellie, for continuing the dialog. I very mush respect your views, and appreciate you sharing them. I am glad that you are so passionate in your love for Christ and your desire to serve Him.
For the record, us "kids" as you call us have a collective history of walking with Christ that is closing in on 90 years. My friend George is in his late 60's, and has been in relationship with Christ since the mid 1950's. George is a pastor/teacher in the body of Christ, though now officially retired from any role that affords him a regular salary from the church. He has pastored a number of churches down through the decades, and is currently quite engaged in his church, though no longer in any official leadership capacity. I, on the other hand am a young man of only 54 but have been in Christ for 38 years now. My support has been provided through working my 40 plus hours a week in a variety of careers from the civil engineering field, to the manufacturing industry, to real estate sales.
Now, to your direct questions.
No, I did not specifically ask God if He wanted me to see the film. But I did sense that He wanted me to see it.
In the years since the book was first released, I had consistently felt absolutely no desire whatsoever to have anything to do with this book. Its premise was quite offensive to me, and remains so. But my boss had read the book a couple of years ago, and spoke about it often, intrigued by the conspiratorial aspects of it, the mysteries of some so-called ancient code, and by its denigration of the Catholic church. He regularly challenged me to read the book. But I had no desire.
I work in a fairly worldly environment, where my co-workers have no shame in using foul language, or saying things that would make many of my Christian friends blush. Often, my co-workers say things in front of me just to see how I will react. Ironically, though digusted sometimes with their behavior, I must confess that I have a genuine affection for these folks, and count them as among my very best friends, despite their continued resistance to the gospel and its power to redeem.
For two-plus years I heard about The DaVinci Code, not only from my boss at work, but from others, and certainly from the public media. I steadfastly held (and hold) a repugnance to the concept of the book, and never even entertained an interest in reading it, although my very best friend in Christ had reluctantly read it in response to his unredeemed brother who, like my boss, challenged him to do so.
As the release of the movie drew near, I began to consider to see it, only because of the hype surrounding it and a desire to not be ignorant of the story's specific nuances and claims. I really, honestly, did not want to see it. I knew that viewing it would be agonizing at times, as my Savior's name would be slandered, and His character besmirched. And it was.
But then an invitation came, an opportunity to see the film in a private viewing the night before its official release. I sensed, honestly, that God was breaking down my resistance because He wanted me to see the movie. That no doubt seems strange to you I'm sure, as it has to at least one other of my Christian friends, but I sincerely believe that it was God who opened that door.
I marvel at the ability of God to handle things like this. His name is cursed often, and dragged through the mud regularly. He was once stripped naked, whipped, spat upon, mocked and crowned with a painful ring of thorns, called names, and hung upon a cross in public view to die an agonizing death. Yet His arms remain open, loving, and welcoming to all who reach back to Him. And to those who don't, He sorrows over their lostness.
God is big enough to handle The DaVinci Code. It is not the first time, nor the last that His name and reputation suffer slander. He no doubt grieves every time the movie rolls, or the book's pages are turned.
How wonderful it would be if we lived in a world where everyone loved and honored Him. But we do not. Yet look at what ends He went to to meet us in our fallen state.
I am certain He grieves every time a theater projectionist flips the switch. And yet, knowing Him as I do, I highly doubt that His grief precludes Him from showing up in those same theaters. If He can be there, why can't I?
I will post again soon with my response to your second question.
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