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One More Help To Refute THE DA VINCI CODE

Maybe you are saying as many are, "enough on THE DA VINCI CODE already", but I thought it might be helpful to give you one more tool to help you refute Da Vinci quite simply.  Here is an article from Associate Editor Collin Hansen of CHRISTIANITY TODAY, that deals with THE FIVE BIG QUESTIONS FROM THE DA VINCI CODE.  I have simply copied and pasted it into my post as it appears on the site.

5 Big Questions from The Da Vinci Code
A brief guide.
by Christianity Today magazine Associate Editor Collin Hansen

Already an international publishing sensation, The Da Vinci Code now is a feature film directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks. The compelling story written by Dan Brown blurs the line between fact and fiction, so moviegoers have joined readers wondering about the origins and legitimacy of orthodox Christianity. This guide offers brief answers to five important questions.

1. Was Jesus married to Mary Magdalene?
No. Mary Magdalene was certainly close to Jesus. She wept at Jesus' tomb (John 20). Jesus even entrusted her to return and tell the disciples about his resurrection. But we have no reason to believe they were married. Brown says that Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper reveals the secret. He writes that the figure to Jesus' right, traditionally known as the apostle John, is actually Mary. Not true. Artists often gave characters feminine features to portray youth. John was the youngest of the disciples.

Brown correctly observes that few Jewish men of Jesus' day did not marry. But why, then, did the apostle Paul, himself celibate, not mention Jesus and Mary when he argued that apostles could marry (1 Cor. 9:5)?

2. What about these alternative gospels that aren't in the New Testament?
It's true that the Bible did not arrive as a "fax from heaven," as Brown writes. The New Testament canon in its current form was first formally attested in 367. Nevertheless, church leaders applied important standards when compiling the Bible. Authors of accepted writings needed to have walked and talked with Jesus, or at least with his leading disciples. Their teaching could not contradict what other apostles had written, and their documents must have been accepted by the entire church, from Jerusalem to Rome. Church leaders considered earlier letters and reports more credible than later documents. Finally, they prayed and trusted the Holy Spirit to guide their decisions.

The so-called Gnostic gospels, many discovered just last century, did not meet these criteria. Many appeared much later than the Bible and were dubiously attributed to major Christian leaders. Their teachings contrasted with what apostles like Paul had written. For example, many Gnostic writings argued that Jesus did not appear in the flesh, because flesh is evil, or they rejected the Old Testament.

3. Were there really competing Christianities during the early church?
Yes—in the sense there were many disputes about the nature of Jesus. And the church has done its best to vanquish challengers to orthodoxy. Once the church decided against the Gnostic writings, they gathered and burned all the Gnostic manuscripts they could find.

Later church councils convened to discuss other threats to Christian orthodoxy. Constantine, the first Roman emperor to make Christianity legal, called the most important of these meetings in 325. Leaders from around the Christian world gathered in Nicea, where they debated Arianism, which taught that God created Jesus. Brown writes that Constantine called this council so he could introduce a new divine Jesus on par with the Father. On the contrary, documents from before Nicea show that most followers of Jesus already called him LORD, the Yahweh of the Old Testament. The church leaders at Nicea rejected Arianism and affirmed that God and Jesus existed together from the beginning in the Trinity. This council produced the first drafts of what became the Nicene Creed, a landmark explanation of Christian belief.

4. What is Opus Dei?
A conservative religious group within the Roman Catholic Church. Opus Dei urges priests and laypeople to strenuously pursue sanctification through everyday discipline. The group has taken criticism for its conservative views, zeal, and secretive practices. There is no evidence that Opus Dei has resorted to murder; nor has the Vatican entrusted Opus Dei to violently guard the church's deepest secrets, as Dan Brown claims in The Da Vinci Code.

5. Does the Priory of Sion really exist?
Yes, but not as described by Brown. Researchers suspect that members of the real-life Priory of Sion, founded in 1956, forged documents that placed major historical figures—such as Isaac Newton and Leonard da Vinci—in an ancient secret society. There is no evidence for this group beyond dubious documents. Any story relating this group to a dynasty begun by Jesus and Mary Magdalene is a fanciful work of fiction.

Collin Hansen is associate editor of Christianity Today (www.christianitytoday.com). For more Christianity Today coverage, visit www.ChristianityToday.com/go/DaVinci

Tags: Da Vinci Code, Movies, Books, Christianity, Jesus, Mary Magdalene

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THE DA VINCI CODE IS UPON US! YAWN...

THE DA VINCI CODE IS UPON US!  I know this is supposed to make me get defensive and be concerned about people's faith, but I just cannot get that upset about bad history, regurgitated ancient Gnostic error, and what critics are mostly giving, "lukewarm praise, shrugs of indifference, some jeering laughter and a few derisive jabs." I admit that I haven't yet read the book or seen the movie, but I will do both soon.  I hear the book is a roller-coaster, page-turner, which makes me excited about reading it. 

I have read several articles, watched a 70 minute video that pretty much shredded Dan Brown's recounting of history and seen much of the hubbub on TV.  The amazing thing is that even the Networks, National Geographic, Fox News and 60 Minutes agree that Dan Brown has some serious issues when it comes to getting his facts straight.  Now, that in itself is akin to a miracle!

Gnosticism arose as a formidable opponent to the early church and endured for a few centuries before being repudiated by the truth of the Gospel and those who actually walked with Jesus of Nazareth.  It is a familiar doctrine of demons that first made itself known through a serpent in a garden as he tempted a woman with special, inside, god-like knowledge.  Our adversary, that serpent of old, is not very creative, but he is an expert at getting as much mileage out of his lies as could be possible. 

It is very important that we know his lies, but even more important that we know the truth.  That, I am afraid is the real issue.  Christians do not really know what they believe and how to defend it against error.  The times that we live in will test us and our ability to "contend for the faith."  Dear brother and sister in Christ, FEAR NOT THE DA VINCI CODE, BUT FEAR THE LORD!

CHRISTIANITY TODAY REVIEW OF - THE DA VINCI CODE
ROTTEN TOMATOES - OVERALL CRITICS REACTION TO DA VINCI CODE
THE DA VINCI DIALOG - A SITE DEDICATED TO EXPOSING THE ERRORS OF THE BOOK AND MOVIE
RELEVANT MAGAZINE ARTICLE - SEEKING TRUTH IN THE DA VINCI CODE

Tags: Da Vinci Code, Jesus Christ, movie, books, Dan Brown, religion

AN AMBASSADOR FOR CHRIST

It seems that everywhere I look out in cyberspace, I here people talking about and quoting  Charles Colson as if he is a newly discovered voice in the Christian world.  I am really excited about this development because I deeply respect Colson and see him as a true Ambassador for The kingdom of Jesus! 

I have been a Colson fan for many years now and really appreciate his ability to take deep philosophical questions that deal with the clash of worldviews and civilizations and make them relevant to scholar and lay person alike.  (By the way, though I am a pastor, I cannot stand the term "lay person"!) 

Well, in honor of Mr. Colson, I have added several of the books he has written in my WORTH READING section that have had an impact on my life and thinking.  These books are an excellent read because Colson won't let you off the hook when it comes to the application of truth.  He will not allow the disconnect between belief and action that is so prevalent in much of Western Christianity to have any place within our common faith.  If you profess that Jesus Christ is Lord, then it goes to reason that He is actively at work within you to enable you to practically live out your profession by demonstrating God's love to the culture at large.  Dig in to a Colson book and enjoy!

P.S. COLSON'S BREAKPOINT RADIO PROGRAM CAN BE HEARD AT HIS WEBSITE BY CLICKING HERE

Lucy and The Lion!

We found a theater in Mazatlan that had "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" in English and went together as a family on opening night to see this classic tale.  All of us in the Sherman family really enjoyed the picture and felt that the director did about as good a job as could have been done by a Hollywood film studio.

Lucy stole the show!  All of the other characters were well casted, but Georgie Henley, the 10 year old girl who plays Lucy, was an absolute feast to the senses with her wide-eyed sense of wonder, innocence and child-like faith.  Peter, Susan, Edmund, Mr. Tumnus, the White Witch and Aslan were all a hit, but Lucy was the show-stopper.

The White Witch played by Tilda Swinton had "ice in her veins" and was the embodiment of seductive cruelty.  She, like many other tyrants throughout history, sees people, creatures and the environment as all existing as a means to an end.  Aslan's world is utilitarian to her as she consumes everyone and everything around her to strengthen her hold on power.

Aslan's voice is done by Liam Neeson and provides an excellent combination of gentleness, wisdom and power.  The one criticism of Aslan that I have is that we don't see or hear enough from Him.  There is some very important dialogue cut out of the picture which diminishes Aslan's presence as the awe-inspiring character He is in the books.  The director comes close, but falls a little short on this account.

The special effects are great and do a good job of making the creatures of myth and magic come to life in a believable way.  However, with all of the advancements in CGI which currently exist, it is almost impossible to create a CGI character that is flawless.  Aslan for instance is close, but I still had the feeling that He was digital lion. 

The one missing element that may be impossible to remedy in any future Narnia films is the wonderful witty narration of Lewis himself.  Throughout the books he inserts little quips and quotes that are key to making the Narnia series what it is.  Without a narrator reading directly from the books, I'm not even sure it would be possible to capture this effect.  Of course doing this would probably slow the story down a bit and quite possibly lose some of the younger viewing audience.

The positive element in all of this is the simple joy of being able to go back and read the books and know that there will always be certain little treasures hidden within the pages of these classic stories.  The film adaptation is very good and well worth seeing in the theater, but the books will always be just a little better.  Even so, "Aslan is on the move!"

"BROKEN THINGS"

(Thanks to Michael Feldman for the image) Most days I read a classic devotional book given to me as a gift from a dear friend named Deea. This devotional is called, "STREAMS IN THE DESERT." It is a companion book to my daily Bible reading, filled with the wisdom and insight of saints long graduated to heaven. Today the reading focuses on the processes of God which produce brokenness in our lives. It is a powerful reminder of God's higher-ways which often do not make much sense to us at the time. BROKENNESS IS BEAUTIFUL! I have seen its effects worked deep into the lives of a number of people I look up to. I can say in truth, they are more beautiful because of the image of Christ stamped upon their souls through brokenness. Broken Things by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman

"By reason of breakings they purify themselves" (Job 41:25).

God uses most for His glory those people and things which are most perfectly broken. The sacrifices He accepts are broken and contrite hearts. It was the breaking down of Jacob's natural strength at Peniel that got him where God could clothe him with spiritual power. It was breaking the surface of the rock at Horeb, by the stroke of Moses' rod that let out the cool waters to thirsty people. It was when the 300 elect soldiers under Gideon broke their pitchers, a type of breaking themselves, that the hidden lights shone forth to the consternation of their adversaries. It was when the poor widow broke the seal of the little pot of oil, and poured it forth, that God multiplied it to pay her debts and supply means of support. It was when Esther risked her life and broke through the rigid etiquette of a heathen court, that she obtained favor to rescue her people from death. It was when Jesus took the five loaves and broke them, that the bread was multiplied in the very act of breaking, sufficient to feed five thousand. It was when Mary broke her beautiful alabaster box, rendering it henceforth useless, that the pent-up perfume filled the house. It was when Jesus allowed His precious body to be broken to pieces by thorns and nails and spear, that His inner life was poured out, like a crystal ocean, for thirsty sinners to drink and live. It is when a beautiful grain of corn is broken up in the earth by DEATH, that its inner heart sprouts forth and bears hundreds of other grains. And thus, on and on, through all history, and all biography, and all vegetation, and all spiritual life, God must have BROKEN THINGS. Those who are broken in wealth, and broken in self-will, and broken in their ambitions, and broken in their beautiful ideals, and broken in worldly reputation, and broken in their affections, and broken ofttimes in health; those who are despised and seem utterly forlorn and helpless, the Holy Ghost is seizing upon, and using for God's glory. "The lame take the prey," Isaiah tells us. O break my heart; but break it as a field Is by the plough up-broken for the corn; O break it as the buds, by green leaf seated, Are, to unloose the golden blossom, torn; Love would I offer unto Love's great Master, Set free the odor, break the alabaster. O break my heart; break it victorious God, That life's eternal well may flash abroad; O let it break as when the captive trees, Breaking cold bonds, regain their liberties; And as thought's sacred grove to life is springing, Be joys, like birds, their hope, Thy victory singing. --Thomas Toke Bunch

"PAINTING PICTURES WITH WORDS!"

Last Thursday, October the 6th, my family and I were privileged to experience the world of REDWALL as we listened enthralled to Brian Jacques the critically acclaimed author of the REDWALL SERIES. Mr. Jacques captivated us for 90 minutes of storytelling and book signing while teaching all of the wide eyed children and children at heart by "Painting pictures with words."

About 8-9 years ago at a conference in Spokane, Washington, some friends of ours turned us on to REDWALL and the wonderful epic tales of warrior mice, otters, badgers, moles and evil rats, wildcats, foxes and weasels. Our son Stephen picked up REDWALL and we have all been converts since. Seventeen books later, we can all attest to the power of these well written adventures!

The books do a wonderful job of transporting the reader to a whole new world of gentle woodland creatures as they struggle over many generations to live peacefully in the midst of enemies full of ambition, malice and murder. Brian Jacques first began to write the books for blind children, so he uses very descriptive language. The battle scenes are graphic and capture the life and death struggles that exist especially in times of war. The lines between good and evil are clear and good character is esteemed as virtuous.

Over 60 years ago, J.R.R. Tolkien began to weave a very complex fictional history of a world called middle earth with the lines, "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort." These famous opening lines drew us into a very different, yet familiar world where we could learn about courage, valor, humility, love, faith, hope and friendship. Brian Jacques, like Tolkien is an expert at painting pictures with words and making you believe in the ultimate triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. But I must forewarn you, if you read the REDWALL BOOKS, prepare yourself to be carried away by the "magic" of these written words.

Now, enough from me. How about a description from REDWALL, the first book in the entire series?

"Redwall is an epic tale that begins at Redwall Abbey where Matthias, a young male mouse, is preparing for a great feast. With the help of his friend, Brother Alf (his full name is Mordalfus), he catches a fully-grown grayling. The grayling is then prepared to be the main course of the feast, for many from far and wide, including the Churchmouse family, from Saint Ninians Church.

Unfortunately, evil is coming their way.....

"Cluny the Scourge" a giant rat, many times larger than any other, with only a left eye -- his right eye lost in a battle long past -- carries a pole topped with a ferret's skull, and uses his immense tail as a whip, with a poisoned barb fitted to its tip. This great warlord leads an army of four hundred rats, ferrets, weasels, and stoats, which is rapidly approaching Redwall Abbey un-noticed.

Cluny the Scourge was thought to be only an old wive's tale, until young Matthias saw him. As a group of Redwallers were escorting their guests home, a large wagon pulled by a terrorized black horse, burst out of nowhere, noisily passing the Redwallers. The escort returns immediately to Redwall to report what they have seen. At the mention of Cluny the Scourge, everybody takes the whole incident as a joke, and laughs heartily at Sister Clemence's remark, "Perhaps Cluny is coming to get us for staying up late."

Once the Abbey's residents do become aware of Cluny's approach, they all puzzle on what to do: The most common conclusion is to abandon the Abbey, and find a new dwelling. But Matthias has other ideas. With the help of some others, he convinces those in the Abbey to make preparations to ward off the horde.

Meanwhile, Matthias tries to decode the many ancient inscriptions on walls, behind paintings, and other places throughout the Abbey. These inscriptions are believed to be written by Martin the Warrior himself. Every inscription is written in the form of a puzzle, and when the puzzle is solved, Matthias discovers that he must climb the heights of the Abbey tower, and find the sword of Martin the Warrior there. Unfortunately, a group of violent, and very dangerous sparrows known as the "Sparra" live up there always guarding the sword of Martin. And so the battle begins....."

Enjoy these pictures of Brian Jacques, TURN OFF THE TV and take your pre-teens and older children with you into the amazing world of REDWALL!