Bring it On, Da Vinci
I'm sure that many evangelical leaders around the world would love nothing more than to tar and feather me for my next statement, but so be it.
I'm actually looking forward to The Da Vinci Code.
There, I said it.
I know, you're probably wondering if I have gone liberal (which I assure you I have not) or have just simply lost my marbles (which I cannot assure you I haven't), but the truth is that I feel pretty confident in light of the movie's immanent release. I mean, what do we have to fear? Is this movie really going to threaten the church? Are millions going to be deceived any more than if the movie had not been released?
Sure, you could make the argument that this movie has potential to fuel an already rampant skepticism towards Christianity around the world and in our own culture. You could argue that millions of youth and other impressionable people will, in their minds at least, be given a substantial reason not to believe in orthodox Christian teaching. And, most likely, you could argue that many Christians will be plagued with doubt concerning what they already believe to be true.
Yes, you could argue all those things. But one thing I am beginning to understand about God is that He is so much bigger than all the devices of evil. God is not in any way threatened by Ron Howard or Tom Hanks. The integrity and power of the Word is not endangered by Dan Brown or his borrowed ideas. Despite what they think of themselves, even Hollywood does not hold sway the eternal destiny of mankind.
But even more than this, I am optimistic about grace. I find hope in the character of God. Despite whatever challenges the world faces, God's grace is greater than any obstacle. The enemy reigns in the hearts of those in darkness, this is true. But is watching The Da Vinci Code going to give him a grip that is too great for God's grace to overcome? I think not.
I'm not suggesting that God's grace is coercive. I am not a Calvinist. However, I believe that there is no condition wherein a person is too far gone for God to bring that person to a place of decision. No matter how deeply a person is entrenched in their own depravity, God's grace is sufficient to enable a free and conscious decision of the will.
Maybe that's the reason I look forward to The Da Vinci Code. Maybe God, in His infinite wisdom and love, is providentially working behind the scenes in the lives of millions around the world at this very moment. Maybe He is planning and purposing in preparation to bring about a work of grace in the hearts of those who, with the opportunity posed by this movie, will be confronted with a decision to turn to the Light. God does not in any way need The Da Vinci Code, but He certainly can use The Da Vinci Code.
I am not afraid. I am excited. I wish Christian leaders would just chill out and be a little more optimistic about grace.
Then again, maybe I just need to be tarred and feathered.
I'm actually looking forward to The Da Vinci Code.
There, I said it.
I know, you're probably wondering if I have gone liberal (which I assure you I have not) or have just simply lost my marbles (which I cannot assure you I haven't), but the truth is that I feel pretty confident in light of the movie's immanent release. I mean, what do we have to fear? Is this movie really going to threaten the church? Are millions going to be deceived any more than if the movie had not been released?
Sure, you could make the argument that this movie has potential to fuel an already rampant skepticism towards Christianity around the world and in our own culture. You could argue that millions of youth and other impressionable people will, in their minds at least, be given a substantial reason not to believe in orthodox Christian teaching. And, most likely, you could argue that many Christians will be plagued with doubt concerning what they already believe to be true.
Yes, you could argue all those things. But one thing I am beginning to understand about God is that He is so much bigger than all the devices of evil. God is not in any way threatened by Ron Howard or Tom Hanks. The integrity and power of the Word is not endangered by Dan Brown or his borrowed ideas. Despite what they think of themselves, even Hollywood does not hold sway the eternal destiny of mankind.
But even more than this, I am optimistic about grace. I find hope in the character of God. Despite whatever challenges the world faces, God's grace is greater than any obstacle. The enemy reigns in the hearts of those in darkness, this is true. But is watching The Da Vinci Code going to give him a grip that is too great for God's grace to overcome? I think not.
I'm not suggesting that God's grace is coercive. I am not a Calvinist. However, I believe that there is no condition wherein a person is too far gone for God to bring that person to a place of decision. No matter how deeply a person is entrenched in their own depravity, God's grace is sufficient to enable a free and conscious decision of the will.
Maybe that's the reason I look forward to The Da Vinci Code. Maybe God, in His infinite wisdom and love, is providentially working behind the scenes in the lives of millions around the world at this very moment. Maybe He is planning and purposing in preparation to bring about a work of grace in the hearts of those who, with the opportunity posed by this movie, will be confronted with a decision to turn to the Light. God does not in any way need The Da Vinci Code, but He certainly can use The Da Vinci Code.
I am not afraid. I am excited. I wish Christian leaders would just chill out and be a little more optimistic about grace.
Then again, maybe I just need to be tarred and feathered.
5 Comments:
A lot of churches are planning to use this movie as a tool for dialogue. I remember about two years ago Prof. Case (from CBC) suggested that the evangelical community should make as much an effort to see this movie with their non-christian friends as we did to see The Passion with them. He considered it an integrity issue. If we desire that they join in dialogue over OUR movie, perhaps we should be ready to enter into dialogue over THEIR movie. I think he's right.
Doug,
Thanks for the comment.
I agree with Dr. Case, and I have never thought of it that way. That is actually quite insightful the more I think about it...
Hey Sean,
My vote is for tarred and feathered. While I agree with what you said about the nature of God and His actions and also about the Church continuing on, I don't think that "excited" ought to be our responce to something that confuses people, leads them astray, or causes them to have a sckeptical view of the Church. I understand that this movie may open up avenues of evangelism to some people, however I think these will be in the minority. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't think the Church has to be afraid of this movie & book. If the Church can withstand such heresies as Arianism then we can withstand the DaVinci Code. However, I don't think that Athanasius was "excited" to have Arius' iota gain popular acceptance.
Troy
*Laughter*
Thanks, Troy. Those are good points. Hopefully before you rally the mob to gather the tar and feathers, please understand that I find my sole source of excitement in the possibilities of sharing the truth with people as a direct result of this movie. I do not for one second take pleasure in the mass deception that will accompany this movie, although I'm not quite yet convinced that will necessarily be the result of its release...
Only time will tell.
By the way, do they still use tar and feathers in Texas???
Just curious. *wink*
Sean,
Points well taken. As far as the tar and feathers are concerned - It is becoming less and less popular, mainly due to the fact it is quite messy. However, in any given town where you find two or more Bubbas or Billy Bobs then chances are they have tar pots simmering and bags of feathers on standby just in case. Thus, consider yourself warned :)
Troy
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