|
By now, cinemas across the world will be blazing with The Da Vinci Code (DVC) movie starring megastar Tom Hanks. The movie has all the elements of a box office draw – mystery, conspiracy, action, drama and a blooming romance between the protagonists.
So, Malaysians will be flocking to the theatres to catch the controversial movie. Of course, Christians will be part – a large part, perhaps – of the crowd.
But weeks before D-day (May 19 – the movie’s opening day), several Malaysian Christians called for the banning of the movie, but these are individuals speaking for themselves. As far as is known, only one group here has publicly called for the movie to be banned (and it is not even a Christian group). The association, which concerns itself with languages, based its objection not on theology but linguistic.
On the other hand, our three national Christian bodies have not called for a ban but instead written pastoral letters and statements to advise their members. Churches have also held seminars, teaching sessions and group discussions on the allegations and controversies raised in the novel.
So, rather than ignore or boycott DVC (whether the novel or the movie), Christians now have a great opportunity to share their faith – and to sharpen their own beliefs in the process, according to Dr Jim Garlow, co-author of the bestselling Cracking Da Vinci’s Code and The Da Vinci Code Breaker.
In his article in the April 25 Christianity Today Online, he said, “We could boycott it with loud protests, but I think that would only drive ticket sales even higher.”
Instead of fuming over the book, he cheekily thanked Dan Brown (DVC author) for doing the church “a great favour” because his novel has provided “a great opportunity to sharpen our own faith by deepening our biblical and historical understanding”.
“Brown is helping to motivate the church to learn its story. And if it learns its story, it will be able to defend itself against not only The Da Vinci Code, but other attacks on Christianity,” he remarked.
Should Christians watch the movie? He advised, “Go to the movie, but not with other believers. Go with unbelievers/seekers; the ensuing conversation could eventually lead them to faith in Christ. Christians, if they are strategic, will be in prime position to answer seekers’ questions.”
This leads us to an article in The Star on May 3 by Marina Mahathir who told the story of her friend’s daughter who wanted to read the Bible after reading the novel. Her friend did not think it (reading the Bible) was a bad idea but she was concerned that an impressionable young mind would not be able to differentiate fact from fiction.
This outspoken lady then said something rather startling: “…perhaps what was needed is a Da Vinci Code-type book for Muslims to spark off the same level of interest in young people in their own religion.”
Indeed, the novel has stirred much interest among Christians, young and old alike, and provoked us to search our faith on a deeper level.
Marina rightly pointed out that “While there are many Christians who are upset about the book and movie, they are countering it with seminars and other educational events to balance what is being said in the book, even if the book is only fiction.”
NECF Malaysia Secretary-General Rev. Wong Kim Kong agreed that the DVC “is scandalous, bears much blasphemous depiction of Jesus and does not carry the truth of the Gospel. It is extremely offensive to us.”
“However, Christians support the principle of freedom of expression and independent media but the right of this freedom must entail ethical and moral accountability and responsibility to the welfare of society. It should also include the credibility of truth,” he added.
Rev. Wong believed the DVC has helped Christians to think more critically of their faith with the help of the many materials available from Christian organisations and the Internet. He concluded: “When one’s belief is challenged, there arises the opportunity to search deeper. In the end, our faith is stronger because we have gone through much mind and soul searching.”
|
