Defusing the Message of a Hollywood Blockbuster - Washington Post

Hoe moet ons as Christene reageer op 'n fliek soos "The Da Vinci Code" - wat o.a. die boodskap dat alles wat ons oor die Bybel geleer is leuens is uitdra - reageer. Deur protesoptogte en boikotte? 'n Beter idee is dalk om dit te gebruik as 'n gespreksgeleentheid. Sien wat se met soos Josh McDowell hieroor ...

As a conservative evangelical leader, Josh McDowell is one of the last people you'd expect to urge young Christians to see "The Da Vinci Code," the upcoming movie based on the phenomenally best-selling novel. After all, the book argues that Jesus sired a line of royalty before he died on the cross -- Mary Magdalene being pregnant with his child -- and that it was covered up by religious leaders through the centuries.

But McDowell, author of "The Da Vinci Code -- A Quest for Truth," not only urges a trip to the theater, but also advises everybody to read the novel by Dan Brown.


The popular book argues that Jesus sired a line of royalty before he died on the cross and that it was covered up by religious leaders.

Then, he says, read his book.

"I don't attack Dan Brown. I don't attack the book," says McDowell, who is on the staff of Orlando-based Campus Crusade for Christ. "Let's see where fact leaves off and imagination begins. It's a marvelous opportunity to be positive. The main purpose of my book is to reinforce their belief and placate their skepticism. If you look carefully, truth will always stand."

McDowell and Campus Crusade, a worldwide ministry with more than 20,000 staff members and volunteers, seem to have accepted this truth: The movie, starring Tom Hanks and set to open May 19, almost certainly will be a blockbuster. So instead of fighting the wave of popular culture or urging a boycott, Campus Crusade is pushing McDowell's book, which is aimed at young moviegoers and tries to spin their interest in an evangelical direction.