As Christians are about to enter one of the year’s holiest of weeks, many are faced with overwhelming questions and challenges against the truth of the Gospel message that is most celebrated at this time.
The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown's bestseller is currently the most talked about text within and outside the Christian sphere three years after the book's release and weeks before its motion picture premiere.On top of that, new studies and findings are putting the Gospel message and the Christian faith into question.
Not too long after the release of a multimillion pound scientific study that claimed that intercessory prayer had no impact on physical recovery, the National Geographic Society made public on Thursday an English translation of the "Gospel of Judas," which portrays Judas with a completely different persona from the one that most Christians have been familiar with – that of a traitor. Found in the Egyptian desert in 1970, the text presents Judas as a favored disciple of Jesus.
"I think we're dealing with the unique period of 'The Da Vinci Code,'" said Dr. Darrell Bock, research professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary in the USA. "All these events kind of coalesced around the same time (Easter)."
Bock, author of Breaking The Da Vinci Code, broadened the controversies to a spiritual quest.
"There is, in many cases, a generic spiritual quest going on that involves either Christianity or a reaction to it. That's why it's important that Christians be prepared to engage or act on this material."
Christians are mixed on whether to take the "go see it" outreach approach or protest against the movie's release. Carl Olson, co-author of "The Da Vinci Hoax," would rather not watch the movie, but has no interest in boycotting it either."The best way to approach it is to be more on the offense," said Olson, encouraging people who may support Brown's novel to consider reading what "the other side" has to say as well.
Similarly echoing Olson's stance, Bock said, "It's best not to be defensive in this material."
However, "to have any credibility, it's important to see the film or have read the book," said Bock, commenting that either of which is fine. "The movie is assuming the backdrop of the book."
"I think there is some merit of seeing the movie to see what is included," he added.
