|TOP|Following the phenomenal success and controversy surrounding Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, Church Army will send email studies this year informing subscribers of its word-on-the-web ministry about the truth behind the novel and its claims on the Christian faith.

The email studies will provide subscribers with bite-sized studies on particular aspects of the story of The Da Vinci Code and are being purposely timed to coincide with Internet Evangelism Day on May 7th as well as the release of the movie adaptation of the novel.

The studies, written by author and broadcaster Andrew Wooding, are intended for fans of The DaVinci Code, as well as for Christians looking to find out more about the content of the book and “those looking for truth,” the Church Army news release said.

Church Army researcher Steve Hollinghurst has also released a book, Coded Messages, in which he demonstrates the way in which The Da Vinci Code exploits the popularity of conspiracy theories and considers ways in which the film may be used to connect with people outside of the church.

|AD|"This book and film has got millions of people talking about issues of faith, spirituality and Christian history. It shouldn't be dismissed, and Christians need to seriously engage with this debate, the facts and what it is saying about our culture,” said Hollinghurst.

“We need to understand why the book's version of events is attractive to so many and should be part of the solution rather than the problem for those seeking truth. It is vital that we are able to engage positively with this agenda and show why the Christian faith has answers that are relevant for spiritual seekers today."

People thirsty for the truth on The Da Vinci Code can also find a factual response on a new website to be launched Good Friday by the renowned Westminster Theological Seminary in California.

"We certainly appreciate the engaging narrative, and recognise an author's right to present a good yarn," explains Dr. Bill Edgar, Professor of Apologetics at Westminster. "But we are concerned because the mix of fact and fiction in the book and presumably the film is leading many readers to question the Bible's message and its impact on history."
Dr. Peter Lillback, President of Westminster, added: "Studies show that only five percent of pastors have read the book, and many in the church are dismissing the Da Vinci Code as 'just a novel,' or 'another movie.' In so doing, they discount the wave of doubt that has been and will continue to be created by its cleverly written claims. Our intent is to create 'doubt about doubt’."
A national advertising campaign will support the Westminster efforts by challenging individuals with the slogan, “There is truth. There is fiction. You decide. You don’t need faith...Just a computer”.

To access the website, which includes contributions from the authors of the best-selling Cracking the Da Vinci’s Code, Peter Jones and Jim Garlow, go to http://www.thetruthaboutdavinci.com

Internet Evangelism Day next month will engage churches around the world in the challenge of developing new ways of using the internet to communicate the Christian message, as well as supporting ministries that already have an online presence.

To sign up for the Church Army studies, which are provided free of charge, go to www.word-on-the-web.co.uk/signup/signup-form.html before Friday May 19th, the release date of the film.