I believe when it comes to the Da Vinci Code God has something to say to us and our families about it. In the ancient world, as described by a prophet of God, Jeremiah, in chapter 10 of his book, wooden and stone idols were set up to worship and appease their man-made gods. Let's read a portion:

Family of Israel, listen to what the Lord says to you. This is what he says: "Don't live like the people from other nations, and don't be afraid of special signs in the sky, even though the other nations are afraid of them. The customs of other people are worth nothing. Their idols are just wood cut from the forest, shaped by a worker with his chisel. They decorate their idols with silver and gold. With hammers and nails they fasten them down so they won't fall over.

There's an application here. It's a directive toward families. The admonition is to not follow the trends of the day with their 'special signs' and 'customs' (reminiscent of the 'Code') which are worthless, futile and foolish, though skillfully fashioned by 'a worker with his chisel' (reminiscent again of the Da Vinci author and film producer using modern tools to sway the public into another direction). Any type of idol is a substitution for the true.

Then the prophet makes this remarkable statement in verse 5, Their idols are like scarecrows in melon fields; they cannot talk. Since they cannot walk, they must be carried. Do not be afraid of those idols, because they can't hurt you, and they can't help you either.

Scarecrows in the garden patch! Scantly dressed and lacking substance; having a facade of reality but packed with falsehood. This is how God views something like The Da Vinci Code, The Gospel of Judas, The Jesus Papers, etc. Though disconcerting we are told not to fear. God has the last word, even the last laugh, because the LORD is the only true God, the living God. He is the eternal King! (v. 10).

When we consider the big picture these sort of things are but a blimp on the screen. I often smile at the irony of it all. Whenever the media creates a blockbluster to question or discredit the tenants of faith God steps in with one of His own, like The Lord of the Rings, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (with their biblical themes), and The Passion of The Christ and busts the blockbuster. I'm waiting to see what He does with this one! Stay tuned is all I can say!

I've seen the same thing take place in other areas of the media. Television programs promoting family/faith based values like Touched by an Angel, 7th Heaven, Sue Thomas, and Doc. Country music has several hits which spoke of strong sentiments: Where Were You?, Who'd You Be?, Jesus, Take the Wheel. Romance novels with Christian ideals are sold alongside Harlequin. When God comes by ....

I'm reminded too of the biblical story of Joseph, sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Then framed and thrown into prison for several years; forgotten by family, friend, and foe. But through a series of strange twists of events he ends up as prime minister of Egypt. And saves the nation and his family through a famine. At the end Joseph can say to his frightened siblings, Now don't be worried or angry with yourselves because you sold me here. God sent me here ahead of you to save people's lives.

Indeed, God turns into good what others meant for evil. (Genesis 50:20)

The day Jesus rose from the dead something strange took place, even stranger than the Resurrection itself (Matthew's Gospel, chapter 28). The detractors began to set the stage to reinvent the story. The Roman guard couldn't explain the phenomena. The religious guard didn't want to face the obvious, so resorted to bribery. Pilate probably doubted the news release but expediency won the day.

In the midst of all this misinformation and lies Jesus was alive and well, He met with His followers, instructing them to carry His mission to the world. In effect He was saying, The two versions of what really happened will always exist side by side. Truth remains; the other come and go. Be aware of the counterfeits but be preoccupied with our mission. They say, but you know!

The early Christian Church instructed their congregations not to spend their time on stories that are not true and on long lists of names in family histories. These things only bring arguments; they do not help God's work, which is done in faith. (1 Timothy 1:4)

Ok, so in view of this what should our response be? Basically, three things.

We must be aware of its potential for harm but also for a witness of personal faith. Strange as it seems spiritual seekers will read the book or attend the movie because they are seeking truth.

Secondly, we must educate ourselves on it. Anyone not wishing to read the book or see the movie to be informed can click into www.discussdavinci.com or www.haventoday.org/archives.php for necessary information.

A charge put forth in the book is that the Church suppressed people, especially women. While the Church hasn't always mirrored or modelled its Founder, Jesus Christ, the closer we come to the Gospels and early teachings we realize the value and importance that women played in church life.

People tend to be tribal, associating with those like us and avoiding those who are different. Jesus breaks down walls of tribalism. He brings into His church people who are different from each other. He brings Jews and Gentiles into the family of God. Jesus calls people from every racial and national background. Jesus calls women and men, boys and girls. Jesus calls rich and poor. Jesus calls people with different political convictions. Jesus shatters social barriers dividing us. The church isn't an elite social club but a spiritual fellowship.

Lastly, we need to learn and actively engage our culture, the world of the uninterested, the seeker and the deceived. Some seek to engage through boycotts. Our culture reacts first and foremost to the financial dollar or the lack thereof. This is legitimate. I believe it is morally, socially, and political correct to protest against the misinformation and assault on our beliefs (Acts 16) I appreciate the Muslim community standing with Christians and refusing to attend the movie.

At the same time, however, we must be careful not to think of the government as the protector and defender of the faith. In our multiculturalistic society which faith would that be? That could be a messy situation. And what Caesar gives Caesar can take away.

There is a danger of buying into the cult of victimology (always being the victim) and the belief that all justice and wisdom to settle disputes rests with the government. We should put no faith in secular institutions such as the courts and legislatures to preserve our religion.

In such matters there must be a balance.

We possess more powerful spiritual weapons than the law and politics, the power of prayer. Christians should use this opportunity to engage this phenomenon and explain the truth about their beliefs.

In engaging others we need to be intentional about our approach, sensitive with our words and knowledgeable about the topic. If we wish to be listened to we must listen too. We must learn to appreciate their interest in spiritual things even when they're unorthodox, and encourage the aspects of it that can lead back to orthodox Christian faith One of the core reasons for the wild popularity of The Da Vinci Code is spiritual seeking.

In whatever form we engage our culture it must always be in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is given to enable and empower us to effectively engage our culture. He is with us in this task. He lives within transforming us into Christ's image and witness. He endues us with God's power to effect change around us.

The early Christians didn't have modern media conveniences but they engaged their culture and their world and changed it with the power of the life-giving Gospel. We can do the same. We can do no less.