The Sony Pictures release of The Da Vinci Code will not hit theaters until May of this year, but the book has been a popular read for many teens and college students since its release two years ago. Fast paced and suspenseful, large numbers of evangelical youth are also reading The Da Vinci Code, though much of the novel's content is aimed at discrediting Christianity.
For those unfamiliar with the facts regarding Christianity's origin, author Dan Brown's distortions of history can be unsettling. Increasingly, letters coming from inquisitive teens and concerned parents are asking, "Just how trustworthy is the Bible and Christianity?"
According to The Da Vinci Code, finding Mary's tomb would reveal documents that would destroy Christianity. Though the documents from Mary's tomb are never revealed, the book still contains misleading information that undermines Christianity. The Da Vinci Code challenges a number of key truths about Christianity, including Jesus' identity and deeds, the content of the Bible, the origin of the church, the motives of early Christian leaders and the relevance of the church today.
According to scholar Dr. Erwin Lutzer, interest in The DaVinci Code ultimately represents a unique opportunity for believers: "The movie will confuse lots of people, but Jesus will become the centerpiece of many conversations. For those who are prepared to explain that Christianity rests on solid foundations, the opportunity will be tremendous."
Dr. Lutzer is author of the award-winning book, The Da Vinci Deception. Did his research of history support the doubts and accusations raised against the faith by Dan Bown?
"Not at all," says Lutzer. "Be assured that there is absolutely no evidence that a conspiracy ever existed to hide the "real truths" about Jesus. The assertions of the book lack historical and even logical credibility."
With a high-profile cast and crew, the movie's release is expected to become a cultural event. While The Da Vinci Code boasts an exciting and deeply engaging story line, fans of both book and movie need to know that Dan Brown is not an accurate historian. Lutzer is not at all shaken by The Da Vinci Code's decidedly anti-Christian slant, saying, "Let's accept the challenge that this movie presents to us. Let's take what could be a detriment to the church, and turn it around to become an opportunity to share Jesus Christ — the One who is Divine, who conquered death, and is qualified to be our Savior."
Back to Top