I heard this quote in a sermon on Augustine by John Piper.  I thought it was excellent.

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Christianity Today: Da Vinci Code Review (1.5 stars) (link)

 

The last line sums it up: "The best thing that can be said about The Da Vinci Code [movie] is that it is such a dud, it just might help to bring this phenomenon to an end. And the sooner, the better."

The Da Vinci Code calls Jesus the first feminist (pg. 248) who taught worship of a female goddess, wanted to pass down leadership of the church to a female, and initiated sexual rituals that would lead followers to higher spiritual understanding.

 

I think the Da Vinci Code could go a long way in reversing any cultural progress in the fair treatment of women.  Let me explain it like this:

 

A central scene in the book is when Sophie remembers the time when she caught her grandfather performing in a sexual ritual with a group of people.  It broke their relationship permanently (as I think it probably would do for me also!).  After his death Sophie is enlightened that this is a sacred ritual of goddess worship.

 

Consider this:  if sex is essential for higher spiritual attainment (which is the relgious view set forth in the Da Vinci Code) and women are essential for this sexual experience, then wouldn't it become natural and normal for women to be viewed as sex objects?  It is worse than just being sex objects.  Men could justify any sort of sexual behavior under "religious principles" (which can be the justification for the worst forms of sin).

 

This is in stark opposition to the Bible's teaching that women are created in God's image (Genesis 1:28f) and have equal access to God through Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:28).  As the Christian faith has spread women have received increasing respect and care.  Where it has languished women have been treated increasingly as a subserviant population.  Let us pray that the Da Vinci Code would not bring that to our nation.  Only when the gospel is preached faithfully and clearly will that message and hope stand firm.

Wikipedia has an interesting article on the Priory of Sion (link).  How in the world is this whole Da Vinci thing even an issue?  The book is founded upon a lie when Dan Brown writes on the first page that the Priory of Sion is an actual organization that has existed since 1099.  He calls it a FACT.  It is obviously not a FACT, but a fabrication that Dan Brown has bought for himself - and propagated that lie onto 45 million readers (so far).

 

The Priory of Sion was established in 1956 by a lunatic trying to prove that he was the rightful king of France. 

 

Yet many people are believing it, they are being deceived by it and are making major life decisions on the basis of this book.  It is a horrible that people would propagate a lie just to make a buck.  And Dan Brown has gotten very rich by deceiving people.

We heard a fantastic sermon on the Da Vinci Code this evening.  I think Chaplain Colonel Gary Sexton had something nailed well in saying that people will go to the Da Vinci Code mainly to justify their behaviors and to reject the claims of Christ upon their own life.  If a person want's to jsutify their selfish sexual promiscuity - The Da Vinci Code is a good way to do it.  But no one will find answers in the movie.  By our lifestyle and our communities people will be won to Christ.  May our community be a godly one.

 

Psalm 106:8-9

Let them give thanks to the Lord for His loving-kindness,

  And for His wonders the sons of men!

For He has satisfied the thirsty soul,

  And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good.

 

We have much to give thanks for … chiefly for our Lord Jesus Christ

 

During his earthly ministry, he asked His disciples “Who do you say that I am?”  We know that He is the Savior of the World.  We know that He is God come in the flesh.  We know that he lived 2000 years ago, died on a cross, and was raised from the dead.

 

Throughout history people have answered the question differently though.  This week the movie based on the best-selling novel The Da Vinci Code comes to local theatres.  I recommend neither the book nor the movie for a variety of reasons, namely the way the author of the book maligns our faith, the Bible, the Church, and especially Jesus Christ.

 

If the devil wanted to use this book to make Christianity look bad I think it has backfired in many respects.  The book and the movie have made it acceptable to talk about Jesus in many circles where people were hesitant.  Scores of books have been written on the book and movie.  We can use it as an opportunity to share Christ with the non-Christians around us.  You may know some people who have read The Da Vinci Code, maybe some people who have had their faith tested, or maybe some non-Christians with whom you are trying to share Christ.

 

If you would like to equip yourselves to answer some questions about the Da Vinci Code or in you have a friend who is confused by it, we have some books on the book table that are perfectly priced ($3) for you to buy and give away.  You can also check out some of the books we have in the library.

 

This summer, at the end of June we will start a Christianity Explored class where we will invite non-Christians to come in, share a meal with us, and hear the story of Jesus and His love.  For most of them it will be the first time they ever hear the story.  Pray for some people you can invite to the course.  In that course, we will introduce the real Jesus, the one found in the Bible.  We want to point people toward the Savior Jesus Christ that they might believe and have eternal life.

 

We want to pray that the name of Christ would be lifted high in Fredericksburg and in the world.

 

The basics:  Raising responsible children is possible when we allow children to make their own mistakes and to learn from them rather than controlling them. Controlled children do not become responsible children.  One of the greatest temptations we face as parents is to control our children so they do not fail.  When they do not learn how to fail in the safe times it is likely they will fail later in life when the consequences are far greater.  The parenting technique suggested here is to give children as much control and decision making power as we can responsibly give to them.  This book helps us to see how we need to help them fail according to natural consequences.  None of us wants to be spanking our kids all the time.  Often times this sort of coporeal discipline may get children to outwardly conform but inwardly they do not learn that a better path exists - obedience.  We could use a little ingenuity in making approrpriate consequences that strike right at the root of the problem that will help our children to learn that disobedience and sin has natural consequences.

 

The first half of the book covers "Love and Logic" principles.  The second half covers specific issues and how to deal with them.  The first half is worthwhile reading.  The theology is weak if not wrong at points.  The Christian influence on the book is definately downplayed.

 

My suggestion: Read it in combination with a lot of other good Christian books.  Don't take it alone, but in combination with some others the tools in here can be helpful.

 

My childraising links:

Dare to Discipline by James Dobson

Standing on the Promises by Douglas Wilson

Website: No Greater Joy

Bringing up Boys by James Dobson

Future Men by Douglas Wilson

It is not too early for parents to be teaching the principles of stewardship to their children.  As a father of a four year old and a two year old, I attempted a new step yesterday (I admit I left the 2 month old at home).  In many ways, I am figuring this out as well, but this is what I am doing: 

1. I give my kids allowance.  I believe that their calling (for the time being) is to grow into adults and I should support them in their calling.  That way, they do not "earn" their allowance, but it is an expression of our love and care for them.  Doing basic chores is a family responsibility and does not merit payment.  However, I do believe that doing some special tasks can earn extra money (the laborer is worth his wages).  I also believe that they can "lose" money when other people do their chores for them (again the laborer (someone else) is worth his wages - and we should probably pay mom or dad, or brother or sister for their hard work).  Whatever they break they have to pay for as well.
2. We put their money into a My Giving Bank from Crown Financial Ministries.  Then we can divide it up into "Savings" (i.e. BIG toys), "Spending" (i.e. little toys and candy), and "giving".  I figure if they learn early how to spend money for fun or needful things they will better learn the discipline of giving to the Lord.
3. Bring the money to the store or on vacation, maybe even make a special trip, showing them how valuable it is to "spend their own money".  Obviously, we want to try to talk them out of making bad purchases (and we don't allow immoral purchases), but if they want to waste the money in the end, that is their business and they will probably regret it.  It is good for them to learn how to "fail" in a safe environment.

Unless they learn that resources are limited and desires are endless they will not learn to steward what they have, save for the future, say no to desires, and to plan.  Even my four year old was making big decisions on how to spend limited resources.  He did not argue or beg for more toys because he knew that it was his money he could spend on whatever he wanted.  I hope that over time he will start asking how he can earn more money.  Then will be more lessons on working, entrepreneurship, contentment, and giving.  I heard one bible teacher say that money was the most visible area of discipleship.  How we handle our money is the most obvious gauge of our love for Christ.  May our kids learn it early and well.

 

I would appreciate any comments from older parents who have learned something about all this.

We live in a time of unfinished stories.  The story of God’s Kingdom is not finished.  Neither is the story of our lives.  At the end of the books of Acts we see the apostle Paul living under house arrest and preaching the gospel.  There is no mention of his trial and no mention of his execution.  Most scholars believe that the apostle Paul was released from prison after his Roman imprisonment in Acts, that he continued to minister (and write many books of the New Testament), that he was arrested again (possibly many times) until he was finally executed under the Emperor Nero, but there is no mention of this in the book of Acts.  The book just … ends.  We are discontent leaving things incomplete.  Movies capitalize on this, recent movies like The X-Men 2 and Spider-man (both 1 and 2) leave the audience hungering for more and ready to spend their money at the box office.

We are often so dissatisfied that our lives unfinished.  “If only I knew what God was calling me to do.”  “If only I could overcome this sin.”  “If only God would bring my friend to know Christ.”  Our misinterpretation of Acts is that the book is not about Paul, it is about God working in and through His church by the Holy Spirit.  Our misinterpretation of our lives is that God is working in and through us by the Holy Spirit.  He is much more concerned about your character and growth than He is “what you can do for God.”