A Comment On The Da Vinci Code

Although the media frenzy surrounding its release has dwindled greatly, The Da Vinci Code continues to be one of the most read and talked-about books of our time - intriguing young people as well as adults. Its absurd claims about Christianity, though they have shaken the faith of some, have been proven completely false by the great Christian scholars of today.

There is a wealth of information available to the youth minister who wishes to be able to answer the questions young people may ask after reading The Da Vinci Code. For that reason, I won't discuss the actual content of the book here. What I would like to talk about in this post is a question that has not been properly answered by many Christian authorities: "Is it okay to read The Da Vinci Code anyway simply because it's an engaging story, keeping in mind that the things it says about Jesus are false?"

First of all, let me make clear where I'm coming from on this. I have not read The Da Vinci Code, and I would never want to read it. However, I would not be afraid to read it, because I have ample knowledge of the many fallacies promoted in it. It wouldn't affect my faith. My reason for not reading it can be summed up in Philippians 4:8, which says: For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and whatever is just, is honorable and seemly, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them] (Amplified Version).

Does The Da Vinci Code fit the standards set in Philippians 4:8? Nothing that belittles and blasphemes our Savior can ever come close to this Biblical definition of what we ought to allow into our minds. I'm not talking about the book's literary merit. Whether it's well-written or not is not the issue. Some books identified as literary classics are books you would be horrified to know a child or even a teenager was reading. They're skillfully written, but the author has used his God-given gift to serve the devil.

So, regardless of whether or not The Da Vinci Code is a "good story", deliberately reading it even though we know the evil nature of its content is completely against a Biblical command. If, in your ministry, you encounter a young person who has read the book and is confused by its content, show them the true person of Jesus Christ as defined by God-breathed scripture. If they haven't read the book but are considering doing so just because they'd like to read a thrilling story, tell them what the Bible says about what we should "fix our minds on". Living a pure life leaves no room for reading books like The Da Vinci Code for enjoyment.