Re: The Da Vinci Code
Originally posted by Soth
I just finished this today. It is incredible awesome. Dan Brown is a genius. The story is intrguing and mysterious. It has startling insights to the Christian faith. The codes and how they're solved is mind-boggling. The characaters are enticing. I swear, this book seizes you mind and never lets go till the end, which is awesome. I'd recommend this to anyone who loves intellectual reading, and anyone who enjoys reading about sybols. The main character is, in fact, a symbologist. I intend to read all of his other books, they're that good.What do you guys think?
Sorry guys, I read the book but think its a load of anti- Christian propaganda. The world has been attacking Christianity for ages now. I just wonder what they are afraid of. Do they think if they try to discredit God and Jesus that it will make all of it untrue? I have seen to many miracles happen in the name of Jesus Christ to not believe every word that is written in the Bible.
I think it is a load of New Age crap. Just another attemp to discredit Christianity. For ages now the world is attacking Christianity. I wonder what they are afraid of???? But in a year or so when this book is forgotten the Bible will still be a best seller and Christianity will still be going strong!
Da vinci code
[QUOTE=3660261]Originally posted by Jury
[B]I am a Christian... but I didn't see it against Christianity... I would rather say, the book is against Catholicism... that is more obvious.
🙂 The writer is attacking ( questioning) the authenticity of Jesus as we know him from the Bible and are spreading biblical untruths. That I interpret as being against Christianity as our believe of Jesus as the divine saviour and all that is written in the bible about him is being made out to be false. But then there are also prophesies in the bible about the lies of the world and Satan that will lead many people away from the Truth.
I agree with sonnet in that the book is not going to bring down Christianity, and that people will continue to buy read and live their lives by the bible, if that is their personal belief.
People were convinced at the time that Darwin's theories of evolution would bring down religion, given that evolution was seen to challenge a lot in the old testament, specifically Genesis, regarding the creation. In fact, Christians have simply reinterpreted the creation. Don't forget, the bible was not written by God or Jesus, it was written by believers, and as such things in it could be inaccurate without necessarily discrediting Christianity in general.
Dan Brown has not set out, as I see it, to bring down the Church, rather to write a best seller and make lots of money! He has simply put into an exciting fictional work theories that have been running for years. Personally, I am not religious to any extent, but not because Satan, under the pen name of Dan Brown, has led me astray. Christianity along with all religions is meant to promote tolerance and understanding, if you dislike something then don't read it/watch it/listen to it.
I personally dislike my children coming home from school telling me "facts" about Christianity and God, rather than being taught that they are beliefs that certain people hold. I do not particularly want my children brainwashed in this way. However, it is my role as a parent to encourage them to make their own minds up about the world, and if they grow up to be Christian/Muslim/Atheist they will recieve my support and respect regardless.
Sonnet - whatever you do, don't read Angels and Demons!
I don't think so. Dan Brown mentioned of Jesus as being married to Mary Magdaline.. and this idea came from the book "Holy Blood, Holy Grail"... Yes. There is a possibility that Jesus indeed kisses Magdaline many times... but there's no mention of them being married to each other.
Jewish customs include kissing each other while greeting. This is called the physical "Holy Kiss". See Romans 16:16.
On the other hand, there is also a possiblity that Jesus was married to her or to anybody... since there is no mention in the New Testament that Jesus is not married.
But the Book "The Da Vinci Code" is really against Christianity?
The author himself says:
IS THIS BOOK ANTI-CHRISTIAN?
No. This book is not anti-anything. It's a novel. I wrote this story in an effort to explore certain aspects of Christian history that interest me. The vast majority of devout Christians understand this fact and consider The Da Vinci Code an entertaining story that promotes spiritual discussion and debate. Even so, a small but vocal group of individuals has proclaimed the story dangerous, heretical, and anti-Christian. While I regret having offended those individuals, I should mention that priests, nuns, and clergy contact me all the time to thank me for writing the novel. Many church officials are celebrating The Da Vinci Code because it has sparked renewed interest in important topics of faith and Christian history. It is important to remember that a reader does not have to agree with every word in the novel to use the book as a positive catalyst for introspection and exploration of our faith.
🙂
Concerning your opinion that the bible was written by believers and are not of God, I just wonder how much you know about the history of the bible.The facts can be found in any library or museum,So take the time. I just wonder which believers then wrote the bible? The believers of God or the believers of Jesus for the old and new testaments were written ages apart and by over 30 different people ranging from prophets, disciples, apostles, ordinary people like Job and kings like David who was inspired by God's spirit. What is really interesting is how so many documents written over so many 100's of years and by so many different people and found in so many different locations can fit together like a puzzle. But as you said it is also personal belief that is at stake. On the other subject,surely if Jesus was married the disciples would have written about that as marriage was so important in that century. Jesus spoke many times about marital issues. When on the cross he entrusted the care of his mother to one of his disciples. Surely he would have asked someone to take care of his wife, had he one? But we know that Jesus was not married because the bible speaks of believers being the bride of Christ. And that he will return for his bride.If you read the scriptures about Jesus' teachings on marriage as well as Revelation 19 to 21 you will understand why there can only be one bride for Christ and that he could not have been married while on earth.
But we agree that not this book or any other will be a threat to Christianity. Even if Dan Brown did not intend for it to be so, look at the multitudes of people reading it not knowing about all the historical and biblical"mistakes"he made, and believing it to be true.They even believe that they now have incite into Christian faith and history. There are alot of websites where you can read about the mistakes and fabrications in his book. As for Angels and demons, I have read a lot of books that some Christians probably would rather burn. My husband has turned to New Age and I like to keep informed of their beliefs and opinions etc.So if you want to talk about tolerance and understanding here I am.
well, lets not take this down a religious fight/debate/whatever, I suggest you go to the appropriate section for that. (however, I have to tell sonnet, that you are rather wrong: not every "fact" has been proven and there are "facts" proven to be wrong too. Furthermore, I suggest you read the gnostic works too, they hint at a relationship between Jesus and Magdalene)
to be ontopic about this:
it's been a while since I read it, but I DO remember that it has been said in the book that if your faith falls simply by Jesus being married or not, you were never religious in the first place. It's all about his teachings and not about his private life.
and as last, as I have said many times to those who oppose the book:
it's FICTION, there was never any claim that everything in the book is true, the documents and organisations are yes, but that's all. Someone who can't see this, should get professional help.
Originally posted by Jury
Dan Brown says:HOW MUCH OF THIS NOVEL IS TRUE?
[b]The Da Vinci Code is a novel and therefore a work of fiction.
While the book's characters and their actions are obviously not real, the artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals depicted in this novel all exist (for example, Leonardo Da Vinci's paintings, the Gnostic Gospels, Hieros Gamos, etc.). These real elements are interpreted and debated by fictional characters. While it is my belief that some of the theories discussed by these characters may have merit, each individual reader must explore these characters' viewpoints and come to his or her own interpretations. My hope in writing this novel was that the story would serve as a catalyst and a springboard for people to discuss the important topics of faith, religion, and history.BUT DOESN'T THE NOVEL'S "FACT" PAGE CLAIM THAT EVERY SINGLE WORD IN THIS NOVEL IS HISTORICAL FACT?
If you read the "FACT" page, you will see it clearly states that the documents, rituals, organization, artwork, and architecture in the novel all exist. The "FACT" page makes no statement whatsoever about any of the ancient theories discussed by fictional characters. Interpreting those ideas is left to the reader.
🙂 [/B]
Originally posted by yerssot
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[/B]
The book is there to be read and every one must decide for themselves.
Originally posted by yerssot
errr...same goes for the gospels that got included, sonnet: no one knows who wrote them and they DEFINITLY weren't written by the apostels: the youngest one of the four is from 70 BC!
Sorry to say but you are very misinformed or are using unreliable sources. The history of the bible are documented and can be researched in any library. All of the documents recovered concerning the gospels were in fact signed by the authors or there were indication in the writings who it was written by.