Stickshifts and Safety Belts

Accelerating through life with the hope of longevity

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Location: Denver, Colorado, United States

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

The Code

No....not the code at the 35+ singles group at my church that says you cant date someone at the church until you've known them for 3 months.....that's just too messed up to cover in one blog. I'm writing of the Da Vinci Code book and movie which I immersed myself in yesterday determined to complete both and figure out what exactly is driving this force of great division in our society. After reading the book, I can certainly see why it has been on the NY Times bestseller list for so many months. It's an exciting page turner with many twists and it makes you feel like you could potentially fall into the role of an art historian should the position open up, or maybe a cryptologist. I know everyone has dreamed of pursuing at least one of those career paths, if not both. After viewing the movie, I can certainly see why Christians (mostly of one particular denomination that I wont mention for fear of offense) are so upset. It certainly doesn't paint church history in a very positive light. What I am failing to understand though, is why this controversy has created such a stir. Rumors of Jesus and Mary Magdalene are not a new concept. Though I believe them to be false and fabricated, those "conspiracy theories" have been circulating throughout church history. All of those paintings by Da Vinci had secret meaning because of the theories, and from what I understand, he never hesitated to take a jab at the "church" when commissioned to paint a scene. They are not photos or home videos people, just an artist's rendition of a particular event in history. An artist who also happens to have a very large chip on his shoulder.

Another question I have, is should those rumors about Jesus having a continuing blood line be true (again I don't even validate that as a reasonable theory, this is just an illustration), how would that change the role of Christ in my faith? The answer would simply be....it doesn't change a thing. Should Jesus have procreated during His time here on earth, I would still believe His divinity to be the same. He would still be the one and only GodMan. Marriage, having sex, and having a baby doesn't separate you from God. In fact God kinda created the whole idea.

Overall, I would say to my non-Christian friends, don't buy into this "theory" of Christ's continuing bloodline. Like a friend said last night, some of the world's most intelligent people have spent entire their lives trying to uncover and reveal some sort of conspiracy (even the pharisees tried when they were looking Jesus right in the eye), and it's highly doubtful that this guy Dan Brown is onto something new. Faith, and Christ as the divine substitution for the sins of the world, lives on while this book and its theory will be shelved on the discount rack someday soon. To my Christian friends, this really isn't that big of a deal. Note that both the author and the movie producers wrapped the entire story up into one nice, neat little package of relativism. Ahhh religious America.....Even when attempting to stir controversy we manage to gift wrap a theory so as to not truly hurt any feelings. Until the argument against Christ is founded on something more solid (and that will NEVER happen) we can rest in the unchanging solidarity of God's greatest gift to the world. The gift of His Son.

8 Comments:

Blogger Mayk said...

I agree there is nothing really to get up in arms about. It's pretty obvious to anyone with a basic understanding of history that Mr. Brown takes an old idea that has been disproved many times and takes up the fantasy for the simple fact that people love a good conspiracy theory. The book and movie should be taken for what they are: entertainment. Just as a movie like the Matrix takes the idea from a 17th century French philosopher that we may be just a brain in a vat and throws a few Hollywood stars (or whatever Keeana should be called) along with some fancy martial arts in the mix for good entertainment.

A positive thing that comes from the book/movie is that it may inspire people to think about the claims of Jesus who truly lived 2,000 years ago. Those who earnestly seek will eventually find truth. Probably not what Dan intended, but what does he care, he's making millions off of the conspiracy theory.

2:17 PM  
Blogger Mayk said...

Though, regarding the other code, what's wrong with waiting three months? And isn't the dating code like the Pirates' Code (more of a guideline than actual rules) anyway? ;)

2:19 PM  
Blogger carlymarie said...

On Da Vinci, that is a true point.....that the book/movie never once even tried to question the amazing impact Christ had while on the earth and how one guy changed the history of the world forever....for the better. God works all to His good, and my eyes tear up in simple awe.

On dating, I think when you know....you just know. And why would we try to attach rules and timelines to that? I've had friends date for years before getting married and friends who were engaged within just weeks of meeting. Both relationships glorify God's amazing ability to bring two people together and speak testimony to how God can work our love stories out before we even recognize whats going on.

But what do I know....I'm single. And I dont know a whole lot about pirates. Insert cheesy golf analogy here_______________.

8:53 PM  
Blogger Mayk said...

Unbeknownst to some people, piracy and dating have many commonalities... robbing, plundering, walking the plank, and plunging into dark, shark infested waters.

Wait, that's not a good analogy either. No golf, no pirates... what about baseball?

11:36 AM  
Blogger carlymarie said...

So getting to first base is a holding hands....
Second base a kiss....
This analogy is less like dating and more like....

6:09 PM  
Blogger Mayk said...

...a really interesting game of chess?

11:55 PM  
Blogger carlymarie said...

the movie pretty much follows the book. it leaves a few details out obviously to save time, but it pretty much the same. not great...but doesn't suck either.

12:58 AM  
Blogger Mayk said...

You need to add a new entry soon...

3:04 PM  

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