Engaging ‘The Da Vinci Code’ debate

DALLAS, Texas — Anticipating a huge interest upon the release of the movie version of the best-selling and controversial book, “The Da Vinci Code,” author Lee Strobel is challenging Christians to respond biblically.

The fiction book was published two years ago and is known as a mix of code breaking, art history, religion and mystical myth. The book’s claim that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and had descendants, has offended many Christians.

Strobel, author of “The Case for Christ,” and Gary Poole have recently completed a DVD-driven discussion curriculum with footage of their visit to Da Vinci Code sites in London and Paris. The study aims to equip Christians with answers to possible questions expected by the movie to be released in May. The movie is directed by Ron Howard and stars actor Tom Hanks.

Strobel said he anticipates that Christians may respond to The Da Vinci Code by protesting, boycotting, or ignoring the movie, approaches of which he is critical.

"I just think that that's not productive," Strobel said during a recent interview. "I can understand it, because when I read The Da Vinci Code I got mad, because it's saying that my faith is based on a fraud. But then I thought, ‘Wait a minute, my anger is not going to help too much. How can I use this for good? How can I do what the story of Joseph tells us in Genesis, where God took something that was intended for ill and turned it for good?’

"And so I think the other response is to say, 'You know what, that book is filled with so many historical inaccuracies it poisons people against the real Jesus; it points people away from the cross,'” he said.

"So my response as a Christian ought to be, if the whole country is going to be talking about this movie, if this is going to be a phenomenon in our culture, why don't I seize that opportunity, get into spiritual conversations with non-Christians and help get into a discussion about the real evidence and the real Jesus?"

Strobel said he hopes Christians will understand the importance of interacting with The Da Vinci Code viewers.

"I think to decide to engage in the culture is really the only meaningful biblical position to take, because there are people lost who are confused spiritually, who are headed on the path away from Jesus," he said. "We have an obligation, biblically, to reach out to them."

Strobel said he believes the movie's release will be a time of great interest in so-called spirituality and in the false picture of Jesus shown in the movie.

"If we can engage (the non-Christian audience), talk with them, let them give their opinions, do what 1 Peter 3:15 says, not only defend what we believe, but do it with gentleness and respect so that we can not demean them because they believe the ridiculous stuff in the book and movie, but we just engage with them," Strobel said.

By bringing movie-goers into a discussion, Strobel said he would like to see believers bring people into a study group, watch the DVD, and, through further discussion, come to discover the real Jesus.

"I'm praying and hoping that the church will take advantage of this, seize the opportunity and turn it for good," he said.

The DVD and books, “Exploring The Da Vinci Code” and “Discussing The Da Vinci Code” are scheduled to be released soon. Copies may be ordered through the Web site leestrobel.com.

Published by Keener Communications Group, April 2006

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