Scott's Thoughts

The Da Vinci Code

I decided to read "The Da Vinci Code" while on vacation. Why this book, why during this time? The book is very popular, and conveys the impression that nearly everything we have traditionally believed about Jesus and Christianity is untrue. As a pastor, I thought it would be important to know first-hand what the book is saying. Why on vacation? Most of my reading is for sermon preparation. Vacation is a good time to do other reading. And, I wanted a book that I could read in between checking the map for directions and handing toys and books to the girls in the back seat. In other words, one that wouldn't take much sustained concentration to finish.

Well, The Da Vinci code is definitely entertaining. Dan Brown, the author, has crafted the book so that nearly each chapter ends with some new twist or surprise. As a suspense novel and thriller, I suppose it's good. At times, as they say, I couldn't put it down. However, the style of writing itself leaves something to be desired. Although I'm no expert, I'm fairly certain The Da Vinci Code is not destined for literary greatness. In fact, to me it read like a movie script.

As a reliable source of information about Christianity, the book is awful. If it was portrayed as nothing more than a novel, then at least it would be harmless. However, Brown packages the historical inaccuracies and outright falsehoods as the products of serious scholarship. The result is that someone who doesn't know any better may read certain passages and say, "Gee, I never knew that (e.g.) Jesus married and had children." For a good critique of The Da Vinci Code's historical un-truths, see Dr. Craig Blomberg's article at: http://www.denverseminary.edu/dj/articles2004/0200/0202.php.

In the early part of last century, liberalism, or "modernism", began to redefine who Jesus was and the work that he came to do. It tried to salvage the moral teaching of Jesus while denying that he was the eternal Son of God who came to save from sin. Now that classic liberalism has petered out, it appears that outright paganism may take its place as biblical Christianity's major challenger in our culture. Brown extols the virtues of pagan spirituality and worship while he tries to challenge the very foundations of the Christian faith. As Christians we may be interacting more and more with those who, in a similar way, altogether reject Christianity. And The Da Vinci Code and related "resources" may be their source of information. For this reason alone the book is important to read and understand.