Cracking the CodeMovies are important part of our culture. The tell stories, carrying myths from one generation to the next. Many Christian leaders have shown us how movies carry basic truths that touch us at the heart level and carry the story of the Redemption in interesting ways.Saying that, the Da Vinci movie is an example of people caught up in making big money from a bad story. As a researcher, I’ve been taught to may sure that EVERY detail in my story is correct. In researching cities and documenting what I’ve found, one little fact that is not correct can destroy the entire thesis. If one fact is wrong, there is no longer any credibility on any other fact. The thesis is destroyed.The problem with Brown’s book – and the movie (which I understands follows the book exactly) – is that there are major and multiple errors in the story. The opening location in the museum does not exist in reality, the layout of the Westminster Abby is wrong, the historical facts are wrong, and even his opening facts are wrong. Read our paper if you wish more on this. Brown shoots himself in the foot not once, but over and over again. He destroys his own thesis.What should the Christian do? First, if you must see the movie don’t go on this opening week. That’s the week Hollywood gets all its statistics on the movie, makes a judgment on its success or not, and makes decisions from that. Wait.Second, protests don’t help much but give the movie more and free publicity. Pastors and their churches should take the lead here. The story can be used in a sermon (or sermons) to draw apathetic people to church with a little creative advertising. Why is Brown’s story wrong? What is the true story? Why is it true?What is Brown’s real message and purpose? What is God’s purpose? Which are you going to believe? What does that mean to you?For more info, scan our blog on Da Vinci.Also see the Christianaity Today review at: http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/reviews/2006/davinci.html
Online Conference – the Da Vinci Code
Church leaders and pastors: Join a free online conference sponsored by Mission America with Lee Strobel and Mark Mittelbergto explore the book and movie. The conference is on April 20 at 1 pm PDT.Get more information
DeMything the Da Vinci Code Movie
With the release date of the Da Vinci Code movie coming up as May 19 in the United States, the film is already stirring up a lot of controversy. Although the book is riff with errors and heresy, it does form a great platform for discussing serious spiritual issues with other people drawn to the film. Ron Howard directs, and Tom Hanks plays the lead researcher. You can find the official site for the film and trailers at:http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/thedavincicode/There are more trailer selections for this movie at:http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0382625/trailersOur own paper about the book is located at:http://www.creatingnewworlds.org/davinci2.htmFour other sites to help you:
The Da Vinci Deception
Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code has sold over 25 million copies in 44 languages. Amazon lists it (as this is written) as #17 on their sales list. It is, (according to Brown), a fictional story set against a background that leads the reader to assume is real. In fact, the background is story is poorly researched and highly inaccurate. There is a tiny, tiny bit of truth there and this is awash in a mountain of lies and untruths. Dan Brown himself should be aware of the errors in his book, leaving you to guess as to his own motives and purpose. The basic premises of Brown’s story are that:
- Jesus was not divine and married Mary Magdalene. A child resulted.
- There are people alive today who descend from that marriage.
- This secret was carried by a Priory of Sion through the centuries in hidden documents.
- The church suppressed knowledge about the marriage that, if known, would destroy Christianity.
At the time the book opens, the last four men carrying this secret are murdered. One of the four leaves a clue at his death that is followed, much like a scavenger hunt, through the book.This same book is now being made into a movie to be released next year. Directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks with an international cast, those producing the movie are already aware of the errors and are trying to downplay the religious themes in the book. The scriptwriter for the movie is Akiva Goldsman (“A Beautiful Mindâ€, “Cinderella Manâ€). The Apostle John writes of the Bible in Revelation:
For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.Rev 22:18-19 NKJV
 It is important for those who are Christians to understand these errors and to understand what Dan Brown was trying to do when writing this novel.Let’s take a scholarly look at the errors in this book.:See http://www.creatingnewworlds.org/davinci.htm
The Da Vinci Code
Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code is a hot book now – and the subject will be even more popular when the movie comes out. The problem is that the book is riddled with fallacies from Dan’s active imagination. This makes it an easy entrance subject for discussions about the faith. Read the book, but study the fallacies. A good starting point is http://www.aboutbibleprophecy.com/davinci.htm
