Programs, studies planned to counter ‘The Da Vinci Code’

The Christian community is gearing up for the upcoming May 19 theatrical release of “The Da Vinci Code,” directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks, by offering Bible studies and resources that offer a biblical responses to the best-selling book’s claims about Jesus.

Lee Strobel, author of “The Case for Christ” will be co-hosting an outreach event broadcast by the CCN satellite network. “Unlocking the Da Vinci Code” will be aired live May 21.

Mark Mittelberg will also host the 90-minute broadcast, featuring opening footage of Strobel at the Louvre Museum in Paris, the site of the fictional murder that opens The Da Vinci Code.

Dr. Erwin Lutzer, senior pastor of Moody Church in Chicago and author of “The Da Vinci Deception,” will address the historical issues raised by both the book and movie.

The event will also feature a live, interactive Q&A session for the satellite audience. For more information visit ccn.tv.

• Grizzly Adams Productions Inc., producers of family friendly network television shows, has united with Bethany House and Cook Communications to provide free curricula for the church and Christian broadcasting markets that will help churches confront “The Da Vinci Code” movie. Visit jimgarlow.com or call (800) 811-0548 for more information.

• Renowned author and speaker Josh McDowell offers readers “The Da Vinci Code: A Quest for Answers,” a 128-page book with downloadable study guide aimed specifically at questions raised by the movie. For more information, visit josh.org.

• The Web site The Da Vinci Dialogue offers responses to the claims put forth in Dan Brown’s book The Da Vinci Code in an open forum that welcomes “discussion, debate and disagreement.” George Barna, Josh McDowell, Gloria Gaither, Tony Campolo and Chuck Colson join a host of other scholars, experts and prominent Christians in talking about the book and film. Visit thedavincidialogue.com.

• Act One lecturer and screenwriter Barbara Nicolosi is one of many Christians taking the opposite stance. She says on her blog that she’s “campaigning for a kind of non-campaign” in regard to “The Da Vinci Code” and is instead urging people to go to see DreamWorks’ new release, “Over The Hedge,” which opens on the same day. For more information, visit churchofthemasses.blogspot.com.

Writers Jenny Brokaw and Alex Murashko contributed to this report.
Published, April 2006

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