VIEWPOINT

Tom Hanks, star of the new movie The Da Vinci Code has said the film of Dan Brown’s controversial best seller is just “a good story” that should not be taken too seriously.  The actor told London’s Evening Standard newspaper the film was loaded with “hooey” and “nonsense.”  He added, “If you are going to take any sort of movie at face value, particularly a huge-budget motion picture like this, you’d be making a very big mistake.”

Nevertheless, many prominent religious leaders have called for a boycott of the film, claiming it is an attack on Christianity.  The book includes a tale that Jesus Christ married Mary Magdalene and had children.  This became a secret bloodline that has been covered up by the Catholic Church.

But Hanks, who plays a Harvard professor in the movie, said the film was “a lot of fun”, likening it to a “scavenger hunt.”  “We always knew there would be a segment of society that would not want this movie to be shown,” he said.  He continued to comment, however, that churches should capitalize on the controversy, which is sure to have people asking serious questions about faith matters.  “I think the movie may end up helping churches do their job.”

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In fact, more than half of church leaders responding to a recent Leadership magazine poll said they will offer their congregations classes, seminars, or sermons on The Da Vinci Code.  The novel — and the movie it inspired — is seen by many Christians as an affront to the  faith,   with  spurious  claims about man-made doctrines and Jesus' alleged marriage to Mary Magdalene.

Why has The Da Vinci Code has been so successful?  At least partly because people don’t know their history — and that includes Christians.  A recent survey found that approximately one out of six Canadians and one out of eight Americans believes that Jesus faked his death, got married, and had a family  — a statistic that has been attributed to the influence of The Da Vinci Code.  Those who don’t know anything about history and not much about Scripture think the fictitious story seems plausible.

Remember that enemies have been trying to destroy God’s word since its origin.  “Certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ” (Jude 4).  Scripture has always been subject to distortion by “ignorant and unstable people” (2 Pet. 3:16).  It still stands, however, as the inspired word of God.

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If there is anyone having trouble figuring out names for the baby, you can always name your new arrival based on your occupation.  For example: 

Steam shovel operator's son:  Doug

Hair stylist's son:  Bob

Homeopathic doctor's son:  Herb

Justice of the peace's daughter:  Mary

Sound stage technician's son:  Mike

Ironworker's son:  Rusty

TV show star's daughter:  Emmy

Movie star's son:  Oscar

Barber's son:  Harry

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I look forward to seeing you Sunday with a smile, a Bible and a positive word!                 RA