It is a runaway best selling book in America and in many other nations around the world. On May 19th it will be released as a major motion picture. Book sales have increased this week with the publishing of the paperback. Multiple millions of copies have sold and even more millions of people have read the book.
The text of Dan Brown’s new novel “The Da Vinci Code” assails the divinity of Christ, purports that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene, declares that He had children, asserts that the church has been involved in a massive theological cover up for two thousand years and suggests that there are alternative Gospels one might read. The fictitious book is filled with the lies that would make the early apostles cringe. However, the doctrine of the novel is nothing new since the writers of the New Testament addressed many of these heresies in the first century. Same principalities, same devil, same anti-christ spirit (see 1 John 2 and 4)!
Our culture is being saturated with the philosophy of a fictional book that is coming across to people as if it were fact, truth and history. The Bible tells us that people will turn away from the truth in the last days and be turned to fables (2 Timothy 4:3,4). How could people be so gullible and so easily deceived? There is a reason! When a person rejects the knowledge of God (see Romans 1:28) they must embrace another philosophy of life. The presentation of a heretical doctrine is then quickly accepted when it reinforces one’s bias against God.
To acknowledge even the existence of God, let alone His laws and commands, is to admit that one is a sinner. In order to cover or eliminate one’s conscientious conviction of sin, one must get rid of God. In order to get rid of God, one must find enough evidence to do so. Dan Brown, albeit fictitiously, has provided ammunition for those who doubt and those who violently object to the intrusion of the Almighty into their lives. But here are the realities:
- The book is a novel! It is fiction not truth — not history — not fact! (2 Timothy 4:4)
- The book is built on a sandy mix of man’s opinions, lies and deception, revision of history and partial truths. One cannot build anything on this kind of revelation. (Matthew 7:26, 27)
- People who are looking for an excuse to reject Christ, or a reason to accuse the church of hypocrisy — have been given a new tool to do so. (Romans 1:18-32)
- It will not produce good fruit. People will reject faith. People will lose hope in the Only One who can give it. (Matthew 7:15-20)
Having said all these things, how should a believer respond to this obvious assault against the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ? This is no joke. This is not just another book or movie. It is a serious attack against the divinity and reputation of the only One who can save the human soul. It certainly is an aggressive offense to all those who believe and all those who know and love our Lord and Savior.
Nevertheless this is not a time for us to stand on the street corners with signs of impending doom, yelling at passersby and telling them where they are going!
Instead this is a golden opportunity for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Josh McDowell recently said this may be the greatest opportunity for evangelism in our generation — “bigger than Narnia and the Passion of the Christ” put together.
The Bible tells us that even the wrath of man will bring praise to God!
“Human opposition only enhances your glory, for you use it as a sword of judgment.” Psalms 76:10 (NLT)
We should not worry about trying to defend God or His Word. He can handle that. Rather we should ask the Lord for wisdom and insight as to how to give an answer for the hope that is in us (1 Peter 3:15; Colossians 4:6). We need to ask the Holy Spirit to increase our love for people. Not everyone is wicked and looking to defame God. Most people are part of the multitudes in the valley of decision sincerely searching for truth.
Dr. James Garlow, who recently spoke at The City Church (listen) addresses these issues in his best selling book and resources. They are directed at addressing the Da Vinci Code phenomena. Here are some highlights.
- Look at this as an opportunity for the Gospel and pray for open doors of conversation.
- Don’t react to people in anger, respond with wisdom (Col. 4:6)
- Engage people in conversations about Jesus
- Look for opportunities to invite people — to a small group (we are starting Da Vince groups)
- Present the real Jesus to those who are hungry and searching — and pray with people to receive Christ as He opens the door! (use the Word of God)
Novel, motion picture, modern day heresy — all these are opportunities to present Jesus Christ in a fresh way to a new generation! We might actually end up thanking Dan Brown.
He doesn’t have a clue, and Da Vinci didn’t have a code. But Jesus has the answer for the human heart!