What Will It Take to Break “The Code”?

by Royce P. Bell

Recommended Resource

"Cracking The DaVinci Code"
A Special Edition of Abundant Life
Rusty Miller / Mark Roberts

As of May 21, the recently released movie, The DaVinci Code, has now made almost $25 million and it promises to exceed that figure by a factor of 3 or 4, not in the space of months, but rather in weeks. It seems that folks who could never agree on the seven-principles of the unity of the Spirit, as given by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 3, have no problem uniting in opposition to a movie that at least one writer has correctly called, “The movie that is designed to destroy your faith” (see the above Recommended Resource).

A week or so ago, I took some time in my adult Bible class to speak to the issue of The DaVinci Code, thinking it to be an important matter that Christians need to know about and to prepare themselves to address. You see, The DaVinci Code is one of those fad movies that follows hard upon the release of the book by the same name, in both hardback and now paperback editions, in which certain, specific blasphemous concepts are argued as though they are true, even though the book is fiction. What is remarkable is that so many will not see the fiction, but will affirm the history—which, of course, is not real history, but rather the same recycled assertions of skeptics and infidels throughout history. We need to be aware of it, but we do not need to be afraid of it.

It is quite possible that in some churches, sermons will be preached, harangues will be long, and tirades against the movie will be the norm, rather than the exception. In other venues, boycotts of the book will be proclaimed and email campaigns will be mounted (filling my email box with more junk, I fear). Too, I fully expect to hear my share of these sermons—or perhaps to read them—from my own brethren (see the above link, as an example). But, I rather expect that there is a better, much better, way to combat the encroachment of the novel upon the holy ground of truth than to inadvertently spread its message by inciting interest, as though it is a true or factual account.

In fact, I do not plan to publicly address the novel apart from the aforementioned class and this article, unless it becomes absolutely necessary. Rather, I am hoping to be able to sit in quiet discussion with those who may be troubled about the book, if only to help them see how it is not grounded in truth, but rather in fanciful fiction.

So, what is this “better, much better way”?

Let me speak frankly. Although, through the years we have prided ourselves in being able to formulate careful, logical arguments against an array of false doctrines, we now live in the so-called post-modern age, in which we are being judged far less by the facts we recite and the arguments we adduce, than by the reality of “Christ within us, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27) that we show in our daily lives. I can almost see your eyes narrowing as you read that last sentence, as you wonder about how that can be true: Don’t the facts of the gospel matter any more? Do people think themselves too sophisticated to consider that their religious views cannot be proven or defended, or too smart to be shown that logical arguments can convince them of their errors, if only they will listen?
Interestingly, in post-modern thinking—the definition of how our children have been taught to think by their culture and environment, both academically and otherwise—it is NOT that the facts DO NOT matter, but rather whether those who spout the facts really believe them and practice them.

In other words, it does not matter whether your facts are right, if you do not obey what the facts proclaim. If you are not going to live it, don’t bother me with the facts! Either put up, or shut up. That’s the way our society is looking at us. If you do not believe this is a reality, you will be the loser for your own disrespect of Satan’s devices!

So, you see, the arguments for and against The DaVinci Code matter very little, if what we claim to believe as the children of God is not evident in the ways we live. If we argue that Jesus can change our lives, we must be living changed lives, or those who are in danger of the errors of The DaVinci Code will not be interested in hearing our argument. If we claim that Christians are moral people, then we cannot be found living immoral lives. If we assert that others are to live clean lives, we must first clean up the filthiness in our own lives—and that, before we will even have the opportunity to tell them the truth about The DaVinci Code.

This suggests two things:

1. The demand on Christians is that we KNOW what we believe. But, we cannot know what we believe until and unless we are studying the scriptures. You may argue loud and long about how others ought to give up their preconceived notions and study the Bible, but if they are just words you speak, rather than the daily practice of your life, you will fail miserably.

Peter calls upon us to “speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11) and to be ready to give an answer for the reason of the hope that is within us (1 Peter 3:15). Only in that way can we make our calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10). You cannot possibly do that if you are not spending time with the Word, in the Word; over, under and around the Word.

You may talk the talk, but if you cannot walk the walk, you will be discovered as an imposter! What you know must be translated into how you live. Paul’s attitude is a good way to look at this: “nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12).

2. The very nature of Christianity is evangelistic. We cannot do all of our “church stuff” inside cloistered walls of church buildings. Preachers must get out of the pulpit and into the streets, where sinners are found. Christians must stop practicing their Christianity in the church-house, and start practicing it, not only in their daily lives, but in the presence of and for the express purpose of influencing others to come to the truth.

This does not mean that either of us wears our Christianity like some kind of holy garment, arrayed with wide borders of piety and embroidered with saintliness, sparkling and drawing attention to ourselves. Most assuredly, it does not mean that we appear in public with loud prayers and proclamations of our holiness, while we refuse to clothe the naked or feed the hungry.

What it does mean is that our recitation of facts is more than just rote recitation; it must be the living proclamation of the Living Lord. Ours must be arguments, not so much to convince (the Word of God can do a pretty good job of that for itself), but to open an avenue of communication (so that the Word of God can have free course in hearers). It means that we are truly fishing for men, and not merely trolling for a stray here and there. There must be focus in our efforts, intent in our motives, and trust in our God to bring many sons to glory for our efforts (Hebrews 2:10).

Conclusion

Try though we might to the contrary, the truth is that The DaVinci Code will probably be a smashing success; after all, just about anything that Tom Hanks touches turns to gold, doesn’t it? Does that strike fear in my heart? Why should it? If my Lord is alive and well at the Right Hand of the Father, then all of the movies in the world that claim otherwise will not take the crown from His head.

You and I may not be able to stop or deter The DaVinci Code with Stop signs, spike strips or detours, but for every mile it rolls on, it will be that much more out of gas. We can rest assured that The DaVinci Code, like so many other hammers the skeptics have wielded through the ages, will be worn out on the anvil of God’s word. And, when it is all said and done, the Lord will still be sitting on His Throne.

Last modified: March 12, 2006