Opus DeiDream

With the release of the Da Vinci Code movie only a few weeks away, many Christian and Christian groups have publically professed the faithful to boycott the film based off Dan Brown's 2003 bestselling novel which has sold over 42 million copies as of this post. Various Christian groups (most notably the Vatican) have denounced this film as heretical, anti-Christian, anti-Catholic, anti-gospel, and many other "antis" too numerous too mention. I have read the book and have read the reviews, the hype, the lawsuits, the boycotts, and so on, but what I am suggesting is this: embrace the myth. Now I know that the theology and doctrine that the Da Vinci Code contains is largely exaggerated, erroneous, and sometimes down right made up, yes the dialogue is a bit predictable, overly suspenseful, and well, wooden. Nonetheless I still believe that the DVC should not be overlooked or ignored. It is not a stretch to say the DVC may be the most culturally influential piece of media of the decade, after all is said and done. With this in mind, it is imperative that we as Christians use this popularity of the DVC as a tool. Ignorance is not always bliss, rather than boycotting and ignoring the DVC (in any medium) we should equip ourselves with a thoughtful knowledge, and background of the work. I can't imagine an easier opportunity to engage in a thoughtful, meaningful dialogue about a popular book turned movie. A quick google of "the da vinci code" heeds an astounding 41,800,000 hits, the magnitude of this fiction simply cannot be overlooked. Now while some advocate boycotts, Ramble On offers a different take on dealing with Da Vinci, read it, watch it, and embrace it. Keeping in mind that the novel is a work of fiction the DVC can be an entertaining read, and it will no doubt be #1 at the box office for many weeks. I also strongly recommend that we as Christians should take the time to be informed and well versed in a few basic responses to the questions, misconceptions, and errors found in the DVC. Many works have been written as biblical responses to the DVC. and Ramble On suggests visiting your local library or bookseller to become informed and equipped to engage in the DVC cultural phenomenon. We as Christians have buried our collective head in the sand long enough, let us use the DVC as a tool for ministry rather than condemning all things Da Vinci. Stay tuned for more postings about the DVC in later posts.