The DaVinci Code

May God bless you this day… to find the small gate!


It’s hard on a mother when someone puts down her son. Here in the U.S. there is such a high value placed on the freedom of speech that we pretty much allow anyone to say anything about anybody. As for public figures, we can get away with virtually anything, especially if they’re dead. Books about historical figures make all kinds of claims, even with no evidence. Of course, the dead can’t defend themselves against the fiction a writer may use in order to sell more books. And though their mothers usually aren’t here either, it would be terrible for them to read lies about their children.

There once was a boy who had a hard life. Although his family had what appeared to be close ties to the church and he was raised in what appeared to be a Christian environment, the boy was often molested by his father and uncles. When he finally broke free, he traveled across the country and tried to be a singer and songwriter. With little success, he returned home to become a teacher and author.

His first books had marginal success. In one he claimed to be a woman author, but that didn’t really help sales either. Then he came up with an idea. He would write a story about one mother’s son. He would make up a story but write it as though the elements were actual fact. That way he could re-create the son in whatever form he chose. He could make him a wonderful person, but that would not bring in the huge sales or make him rich. Instead, he chose to make the son a deceiving, manipulative liar.

Now, often the key to sales is controversy. So he decided to fashion his story as an attack on religion, particularly the one that failed to protect him in his youth. He would do this by lying about the mother’s son. He didn’t care about the son’s reputation. The son and his immediate family had all died, so there was no one to sue him. And as for the feelings of those who knew the son, he didn’t care about them either. Truth was not an issue. The goal was his personal recognition and wealth.

The book was very successful and the public demanded a movie. The studio brought in a director and an actor everyone loved. Such endearing people could hide the truth and draw upon people’s natural desire to control their own lives, do as they please, see what they want, and live by their own rules.

And so…The DaVinci Code will soon be coming to a theatre near you. Dan Brown writes the elements of what he is presenting as truth, while actual authorities show they are lies. And what are these lies?

Jesus is not God nor the Son of God. He did not die on the cross. He did not atone for our sins. He is a liar, a deceiver, a fraud, a manipulator. Under ancient religious doctrine, Jesus is therefore - evil.

Think of someone you loved who has died. Remember the wonderful things about that person, perhaps a deep kindness or willingness to help others, maybe a desire to make the world a better place or a commitment to be there for you in good times and bad. If Mr. Brown wrote about this person, re-creating him or her into a lying, deceiving, manipulating, self-absorbed individual, would you read his book? Would you go to his movie? Would you pay money for his efforts in demeaning the person you loved?

There are 2 gates. One is wide and broad. It leads to a beautiful lobby where there is food and drink. Beyond is a cushioned chair in a darkened, cool room with relaxing music to help you forget reality. There you will find a message about one mother’s son. The message will appear as fiction, but many will claim it as truth. It would be hard on the mother if she could hear it. And the other gate?

Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:14

May you find the small gate, remember one special mother, and honor the Son.

Take care and be God’s,

Chuck


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