Dan Brown has become a household name since his best-selling novel gained notoriety via controversy. Walk into any bookstore and you’ll find books called things like Breaking the DaVinci Code or The DaVinci Deception. There are even blogs out there devoted to it (Check out Gary Burger’s blog.)People have been scrambling to prove this novel as a fraud since it hit bookshelves in 2003. The controversy has once again picked up since an adaptation of the novel will hit the big screen on May 19, 2006.
Now, I am personally a fan of both Dan Brown and The DaVinci Code. I eagerly await Tom Hanks’ portrayal of the stodgy Harvard professor on the big screen. You see, I didn’t miss that word I used twice in the opening paragraph: novel. By definition, a novel is a work of fiction. A fact page contained within the covers of a novel are part of the fiction. I read the book with that assumption in place and was not bothered by the worldview presented in the fictitious world of Robert Langdon. (Sidebar–this is also why I am a fan of JK Rowling and Harry Potter).
The center of the controversy, at least in my circles, is the Christian aspect. I have seen so many Christians just absolutely bash the book and tear into Dan Brown, calling him a blasphemer and other, much worse, names. But I ask, how does that advance the kingdom of God? How will attacking someone show them the unconditional love of God? It seems, rather, to portray a rather conditional view of God’s love. “Do this, and God will love you.” “Don’t do this, and God will love you.” This view is totally works driven and leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I want no part of that.
The heart and soul of Christianity is the love of God. The unconditional love of God. As Christians, it is our job to show that love. We are the light of the world. How much light are we emitting when we tear down our neighbors? Christ was truthful, but never condemning. Sin is sin, of course. Being a Christian does not give you a license to sin or condone sin. What it does give you is grace. And after you have experienced grace, you should be bubbling over with graciousness towards each other–this does not include tearing people down.
The controversy around The DaVinci Code should not even include Christians. Christians shouldn’t instigate it or add to it. By feeding the animosity, Christians are given a bad name, as well as helping perpetuate stereotypes that, quite frankly, I wonder if they are accurate portrayals of Christians in this country.
