The DaVinci Delusion That Cannot Be Ignored

Olivetreeviews.org ^ | May 16, 2006 | Jan Markell

[GeekDejure]

Anybody else listen to The Jesus Christ Show last Sunday?

It was amazing the way Jesus blew the DaVinci Code to smithereens !!!

http://www.kfi640.com/pages/streaming.html at 8 to 11 AMCT

[Esther Ruth]

Isn't a novel usually fiction? Why do people think this is true?

***
Lol - Why do people believe the evening news networks are true?

If only the the evening news begin with a disclaimer...
"A good portion of what you about to hear is a bunch of hooey but we are sure hoping you believe every bit of it...cause darn it...we are sure as heck hoping to eradicated that darn Bible from the earth soon and reign in communism and marxism, death and destruction."

But back to Why - Because there IS a deceiver roaming the Earth and his time is short - and that's what he does, tells lies that people will believe.

[neocon]

What part of "novel" and "fiction" don't people understand?

The part that says "FACT".

Right after his opening acknowledgments, this is what Dan Brown wrote:

FACT:

The Priory of Sion — a European secret society founded in 1099 — is a real organization.

In 1975 Paris’s Bibliothèque Nationale discovered parchments known as Les Dossiers Secrets, identifying numerous members of the Priory of Sion, including Sir Isaac Newton, Botticelli, Victor Hugo and Leonardo da Vinci.

The Vatican prelature known as Opus Dei is a deeply devout Catholic sect that has been the topic of recent controversy due to reports of brainwashing, coercion and a dangerous practice known as “corporal mortification.” Opus Dei has just completed construction of a $47 million World Headquarters at 243 Lexington Avenue in New York City.

All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents and secret rituals in this novel are accurate.

But these "facts" are, in fact, lies, as a previous post demonstrates. The book's intent is clearly defamatory, especially of Opus Dei.

[dhs12345]

Nor am I. But, Catholics do treat their leaders and saints as well, saints or godly.

[oldleft]

Because it's a theory dressed up as a novel. There are plenty of works of fiction which are based on real events which are considered historically significant. That's how historical fiction works. This book has a series of fictional events which take place around a setting of "facts." In that way it's misleading because most of the "facts" are untrue.

[Eagle Eye]

Mainstream churches do more damange to Christianity than this book and movie ever could.

If the main enemies of Jesus Christ were the religious leaders of His time, what makes anyone think things have changed?

If false worship enslaved the children of Isreal in the OT, what makes us think that religion isn't the greatest impediment to a relationship whith God and Christ that there could be?

[humblegunner]

What part of "novel" and "fiction" don't people understand?

Harry Potter cast a spell of ignorance on some folks
and it makes 'em think fiction is real. He's the devil, that Potter boy.

[Borges]

It's hyped because the book was a publishing phenomena. That happened on the grass roots level before the media got to it.

[oldleft]

I love that show. He is one the most knowledgeable guys when it comes to Christian theology.

But, of course he is. He is "Jesus" after all!

[pgyanke]

I am Catholic and there isn't much to disagree with in your post. The Pope, the bishops, the cardinals, the priests and the saints were and are all human beings. Just like you, each has been given a specific calling and either lived up to their office or did not. We venerate those who have given everything for the Gospel.

We do believe that the office of the Pope is special and has been tasked with holding the Church firm to the true teachings of Christ. Peter was the first rock as assigned by Jesus, and others have followed in his footsteps, taking on the keys of the kingdom as Christ's Vicar and Prime Minister of the Davidic Kingdom.

What I did find objectionable in your post was the suggestion that we see the saints as "deities". No, they are humans like us who, having walked closely with Jesus on Earth, have continued this walk in their heavenly reward. Beatification is an identification for the Church to know that these people are examples of Christian living worthy of emulation and respect. We pray to them to intercede on our behalf in exactly the same way we ask our family, friends and prayer chains to pray for us. They are alive in Christ and part of the same Church to which we all belong as the Body of Christ.

[GourmetDan]

Campus Crusade for Christ says they have gotten notes saying some of the following:

"I read 'The DaVinci Code' and no longer know what I believe." (A missionary in Europe)

"Two close friends of mine in the church lost their faith over 'The DaVinci Code.' "

"I lost my son to 'The DaVinci Code.' "

1 John 2:19 - "They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us."

[mlc9852]

Well, I haven't read the book and don't plan to and I won't be seeing the movie.

[subterfuge]

Yeah, that whole reformation thingy messed up the church's corner on the market, so to speak.

[Esther Ruth]

What's interesting to me is that alot of people are concerned that the book and film will lead people astray. Which seems odd; I expect those people who are swayed from a lifetime of faith by a trifling bit of fiction have deeper problems than Dan Brown.

***

Good parents always worry about their children constantly. That's what parents do cause they love their kids and it pains them horribly to even consider the thoughts of what would be ahead if they went astray from the straight and narrow, off in a wrong direction for even a second, one wrong move, leading them toward death, pain etc.

It is not odd to love people. Loving people is good,right and normal and when you love them you wish them well, good, safety, peace, joy, etc., with all your heart - normal stuff. It is not odd to be obsessed about someone you love being in possible pain and agony. Infact just the opposite. It is odd to not care. It is odd to see a child about to go off in a car drunk with his buddies and just continue to watch a tv program. It is odd when folks just sit watching ball games while their kids are running off the edge of cliffs.

[syriacus]

Yes, it's fiction. So were other books written to promote agendas.

I agree. Propaganda has been used, historically, because it works.

I think I would be endangering my health and well-being if I ignored the potential for propaganda to sway me.

[Esther Ruth]

1 John 2:19 - "They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us."

***
Right, and always being reminded to examine ourselves to see IF we are truly in Christ Jesus because if we truly are there WILL be clear evidence. One will NOT be so easily pulled at and persuaded by false doctrines etc., so -- if one does feel a persuasion toward things that so clearly cannot line up with the Word of God, they should examine their selves to see IF they are truly born of God.

2Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

If someone does find themselves always getting tossed about by all the different winds of false doctrine - they need to go back to square one...

Act 16:30-31 Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

[Elsiejay]

BTW, who authorized any body of human judges to decide who is a "saint" on the basis of humanly devised criteria of eligibility? The Holy Scriptures of Christianity provide no basis whatsoever for any such institutionalized procedure for conferring "sainthood." The saints of God are those who, by His grace, have been granted the gift of faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrificial atonement for the sins of the world. Thus, by the grace of God I am a Christian saint, even as I am yet a sinner, as the Bible attests, and the Roman Curia had nothing at all to do with it. Period. SDG

[pgyanke]

It is an ancient story which claims supernatural events and acts for which there are no external confirmations or evidence.

You mean like archeological findings, Roman records, Arab records, secular histories and eye witness accounts? Sure would be nice if we Christians could just find anything to corroborate our story...

[usastandsunited]

Well, the Christian story is a myth.

You seem to like the idea claims should be based on fact and evidence. In that I agree, so present your evidence of when and where this myth started.

[pgyanke]

Reread my post, please. If the only saints were those "selected" by the Church, there would be no point to our even trying. That isn't the case. The Church identifies "well-known" individuals who have had a significant impact on the faith to hold up as an example for the rest of us. It strengthens and encourages us in our journey.

We are all called to sainthood. There are only a few, however, that we all know by name and in whom can find common understanding.