The Da Vinci Hoax: A Tour de Distortion

Breakpoint with Charles Colson ^ | March 8, 2006 | Charles Colson

[Mr. Silverback]

G. K. Chesterton famously said something to this effect: When people stop believing in God, they don’t believe in nothing—they believe in anything. A good example of this is Umberto Eco’s novel Foucault’s Pendulum, in which a group of friends program a computer to “write” a book about secret hidden knowledge. Titled The Plan, the book is the result of random links between things like Kabbalah, Rosicrucianism, the Knights Templar, and other crackpot ideas. While The Plan was intended as a prank, other people take it seriously, with tragic results.

Well, Foucault’s Pendulum shows us how gullible unbelieving people are. And this is particularly so in our postmodern age when truth doesn’t matter. This phenomenon partly explains the remarkable success of The Da Vinci Code. Like Eco’s novel, it’s about a heretofore hidden knowledge that promises to let us in on the “true” history of Christianity.

Author Dan Brown gives us a Jesus who neither died on the cross nor rose from the dead. Instead, He married Mary Magdalene and had children by her. This “sacred blood line” is the treasure safeguarded by groups like the Knights Templar and the Masons. And the Catholic Church, in a desperate attempt to cover up this secret, murders those who threaten to expose it.

Devotees of The Da Vinci Code—like the fictional fans in Foucault’s Pendulum—have trouble distinguishing fact from fiction. They visit places mentioned in the novel, and “Da Vinci Tours” are a booming business. With the upcoming film, interest in The Da Vinci Code will explode. Christians need to seize this teaching opportunity, preparing ourselves to answer questions readers are asking.

The first is: Are the historical events portrayed in Brown’s story true? Brown claims to have done extensive historical research and gives his readers no reason to doubt the novel’s accuracy. Since the average person knows almost nothing about Christian history, they’re vulnerable. For example, when Brown says that Knights Templar were put to death by the Catholic Church because they knew the “true story” about Jesus, people have no basis to question it, never having heard of the Knights Templar. Or when Brown says that at the Council of Nicea, the Vatican consolidated its power, most people are unaware that the Vatican didn’t even exist in A.D. 325.

It is our job to expose the falsehoods. We can learn to answer Brown’s lies with the truth by reading books like Darrell Bock’s Breaking the Da Vinci Code and Erwin Lutzer’s The Da Vinci Deception.

People flock to stories like The Da Vinci Code in part because all humans are searching for the secret knowledge that answers the mysteries of life. And when The Da Vinci Code debuts in May, millions more Americans will get a condensed tour de distortion. Knowing our neighbors will see this film, churches ought to begin to get ready now—preparing to answer questions about it and to tell our neighbors that there is no secret knowledge about God. It’s all in the Bible and all true.

The good news is that The Da Vinci Code readers and viewers are seeking answers to the central questions of life. The challenge is for us to supply the true answers.

[ArGee]

Those which were rejected usually were for a very strong reason, ie., they contained error, falsehood, or were not actually written by one of the Apostolic fathers.

Some, like I believe the Gospel of Thomas, were known forgeries.

Dan Brown and Dan Rather would get along very well, I think. Shalom.

[Ichneumon]

[DVD cover of "Cry Wolf"]

That film didn't get much attention, but my wife and I *really* enjoyed it. It was a refreshing twist from most other movies of its type, and kept us guessing up until the final surprise. Non-spoiler to those who haven't seen it yet: It appears to be a typical "teens terrorized by serial killer" movie, but things are not always what they seem...

[Arkinsaw]

Well, like I said. The book publisher, the author, the movie studio want your controversy. It will put more butts in the seats, more people in the store buying to see what the fuss is about. You folks can go try and save some poor fools who believe fiction is real from ignorance...good luck with that. What you will succeed in doing is putting more money in Dan Brown's fat little wallet and all those people you are going to educate will still believe what they are going to believe. Only you are going to give more of them the chance to get curious because of your controversy. Have fun.

[Radix]

I was given that book a couple of years ago as a gift.

It is a junk book, if that means anything. I saw so many notions and concepts lifted from other things that I had read prior that it was almost laughable.

I am amazed that it has sold as many copies as it has. Flabbergasted actually.

I am not catholic, but that was one of the most catholic bashing books that I have ever read of the sort of book that passes itself off as a work of fiction.

It is scary in a way that so many have purchased and read that tripe.

[stainlessbanner]

Poorly written, unoriginal, but it's been marketed well. Hype has got people talking about, half-truths have got people believing it.

[ArGee]

Well, like I said. The book publisher, the author, the movie studio want your controversy.

I hate to tell you this, but a Christian friend of mine loaned me the book before I ever heard of the controversy. It was a best seller before anyone ever thought of debunking it. And lots of people were believing in the historical accuracy, while knowing that the actual plot was fiction, before the anti-Da Vinci Code books came out. You're confusing the cause and the effect.

Why is it that you don't want people exposing the lie?

Nobody has called for the book to be banned.

Nobody has called for the publisher or the booksellers to be boycotted.

People are just calling for those who know the truth to tell it.

And that seems to bother you.

Why?

Shalom.

[Arkinsaw]

I hate to tell you this, but a Christian friend of mine loaned me the book before I ever heard of the controversy. It was a best seller before anyone ever thought of debunking it. And lots of people were believing in the historical accuracy, while knowing that the actual plot was fiction, before the anti-Da Vinci Code books came out. You're confusing the cause and the effect. Why is it that you don't want people exposing the lie? Nobody has called for the book to be banned. Nobody has called for the publisher or the booksellers to be boycotted. People are just calling for those who know the truth to tell it. And that seems to bother you. Why? Shalom.

Oh I love it. The old, "you disagree with me so you must have some weird motives you aren't mentioning". This is done for the benefit of anyone else reading the thread so that they also might have some doubt in their minds about my motives in order to distract from what I am saying.

Here is my deal...."The Last Temptation of Christ" would have never gotten out of the art houses if it hadn't been for thousands of foolish Christians protesting, making a controversry, and giving it free press. People went to see the movie because of controversy. The message the makers wanted to make was heightened by dumb...dumb...dumb...protestation and gave them lots more money to go do the next thing.

Dan Brown's book is a momentary piece of pop fiction. It will go away if allowed to do so. As with all pop culture, it will have its moment and fade away. If allowed.

Why do I not want protests, and debunking, and exposing of lies about a fictional book? Because it will heighten awareness of the thing, it will extend the period of time its ideas will hover in the popular culture, it will increase the money in the pocket of its author, it will allow the press to publicize the thing because protestation is newsworthy.

I do not want these things. I want the movie to come out, be seen, and then fade away into oblivion soon after.

Your protests will not prevent the movie from coming out. But it will keep it in the public eye longer, and it will get it free press and publicity, and it will make people curious to see what the fuss is about. I do not want that.

If you want to do something...go preach the gospel correctly and do not mention Mr. Brown or his movie or his theories. Unless you think Christianity cannot be saved without mentioning him.

I personally think that the 2000 year old religion has survived much worse that Dan Brown. Much, much, much, worse. Survived it just fine. It has no need to answer a fiction book that will be forgotten completely in a few years.

Maybe you don't think so. Maybe we are doomed without you protesting and debunking Mr. Brown and raising a big stir. Sorry....I do not. That is why.

[ArGee]

Oh I love it. The old, "you disagree with me so you must have some weird motives you aren't mentioning".

Even better. You are vehemently arguing against people who are advocating doing nothing more than telling the truth. It's not that you are disagreeing with me, it's that you are trying your best to dissuade anyone who simply wants to tell the truth about the book. We're not in favor of putting the book into peoples' hands so they can read it so we can tell them why it is wrong. We're not advocating renting halls and advertising speeches so people who know nothing about the book will learn of it. We're advocating telling the truth to anyone who wants to know.

The "Last Temptation" thing won't fly. The Christians didn't rise up against this book before it was published. They rose up after it became a best seller. So try a real argument.

Or better yet, try to explain why you are against people telling the truth about the book?

Shalom.

[Antoninus]

They want controversy. They want controversy. They want controversy. Give them what they want if you want. I will not.

The film's going to make a billion dollars whether we protest or not. If we protest, we may be able to get some folks turned around right who would otherwise have been lead astray.

I will protest. And in at least this one case, when the Almighty asks me what action I took when this blasphemous movie was made, I won't have to say, "I buried my talent in the ground."

[Antoninus]

Uffda! A book that makes people think! Ban it!

Nice strawman. Who said anything about banning?

For the record, The Communist Manifesto made a lot of people think, too.

[Antoninus]

I am an atheist, but I'm not an evangelical one,

How to put this politely ....

BS.

Have you read your tagline lately? Anyone who goes around proclaiming their religious beliefs (or lack thereof) on every single post is de facto an evangelical.

[Antoninus]

I'd say that rampant child rape among the priesthood has been more damaging to the institution than this book/movie.

You're right. And I'd wager that almost all of the sex abusing priests have read and recommended the Duh Vinci Code to others.

If you think the Catholic Church is merely a human institution, you are gravely mistaken. The Church has a multitude of enemies inside and out. They are united in their hatred of Christ and will do whatever they can to harm His Church.

[Antoninus]

You'll find lots of protestant pastors and youth ministers doing the same thing. I doubt that the numbers are any different.

The numbers are actually much higher among public school teachers in terms of the raw number of cases and percentages.

[FixitGuy]

Dan Brown, like L. Ron Hubbard is proving once again that many people will believe any load of crap you throw at them as long as there is no provable fact contained therein!

Hollywood folks seem particularly vulnerable to this silly siren song.

[razorback-bert]

I listened to it while making a real long commute, it didn't improve with someone reading it to me.

Outside the idea of a really royal family, the plot sounds like a action movie script. I could see Tom Cruise along with some new hottie and a lovable character actor, posing in famous European landmarks.

[Kenny Bunk]

Get onto Travis McGee Books

[Arkinsaw]

Or better yet, try to explain why you are against people telling the truth about the book?

I have told you my position and my reasons, and your continuing refusal to accept what I say as sincere is not very decent of you.

Frankly, I think you would be better off feeding some hungry, teaching the Bible to some kids, or visiting someone in the hospital rather than wasting time protesting a pop-fiction book with momentary appeal. I've explained why book publishers and movie producers WANT your controversy. You are free to do whatever you want, tilt at whatever windmills you want. Create a tempest in a teacup. But its counterproductive.

[razorback-bert]

I have all 21 at least twice.

[MineralMan]

"The numbers are actually much higher among public school teachers in terms of the raw number of cases and percentages."

They certainly are. And, if you bring in stepfathers and boyfriends, it's even worse.

There is no question that a small percentage of RCC priests molested youngsters, and that the church, in some cases, did not deal with them properly.

But other denominations have had the same problem, and have acted in similar ways, and sexual abuse of children is a problem in all classes that work in close contact with youngsters.

"Rampant" is not a word I'd use to describe any of those classes.

[Theo]

bump for later reading....