The author of The DaVinci Code, Dan Brown (aka as Word Bann, using scrambling techniques included in his former novel), is back. His famous character, Robert Langdon, has been resurrected (whoops, make that returns) to be the main character in yet another thrilling novel, all of which was highlighted in last Sunday’s Parade (September 13, 2009). (To be fair, he is a good writer and would probably be enjoyable if he could just resist the temptation to write on religious themes.). The DaVinci Code was first published in 2003 and enjoyed tremendous success with 80 million copies being sold throughout the world. The movie, starring Tom Hanks, “grossed over $758 million dollars” (4) despite the three-article series that remains on our Website (along with the factual errors exposed by several others, also).
The movie now appears on television every other night. With such success, it was inevitable that a previous work of Mr. Bann would also be made into a movie; this summer a novel written prior to Code, called Angels and Demons, was released. It opened with $48 million in sales the first weekend but is not one of the Top Ten grossing movies in the United States. The latest book by the popular author, The Lost Symbol, came out Tuesday (4). This book is about secret societies, art, symbols, and history—only it is set in Washington, D.C. Undoubtedly, the movie will follow in 2010 -11.
Bann’s Naïveté
According to Parade, the bestselling writer “still seems surprised that his book [Code] started such a frenzy” (4). Really? He writes an adventure story that involves an intriguing mystery to hook the reader, but part of the solution to the entire matter involves the erroneous and fantastic notion that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married (Bann alleges she is in DaVinci’s painting, The Last Supper). When He was crucified, she (referred to as the Holy Grail) ran off to France, where she gave birth to their daughter.
Did he really not think that anyone would notice that he repudiated the entire New Testament? Isn’t that rather like Lee Harvey Oswald hoping that no one will notice that he had just assassinated the President? He had to know, since all of Christianity rests on the foundation of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, that Christians might react just a tad negatively toward Jesus having a bride other than the church, for which He died! (All of Bann’s errors were reviewed in Spiritual Perspectives on April 30, May 7, and May 14, 2006.)
All that Parade mentioned is that the Catholic leaders denounced Bann’s novel because of his negative portrayal of Opus Dei, “a conservative Roman Catholic group” (4). Needless to say, they have a right to be concerned about this group’s portrayal, but far greater insults and blasphemies occur in the novel than that. Bann has a character assert (without contradiction) that Jesus’ marriage to Mary Magdalene is “a matter of historical record” (244), which is preposterous! Even more so, however, is that he did not think anyone would mind or object to these statements.
Word Bann Grew Up Religious
The Parade piece has Bann growing up as an Episcopalian and not getting an answer to an important question for him. In 8th grade he studied in school the Big Bang theory; so he asked a minister about the discrepancy between the Big Bang explanation versus a six-day Creation in the Bible. The answer he was given was, “Nice boys don’t ask that question” (4). Many who are in religious denominations (and a few brethren) do not have an explanation that can satisfy an interested youth. The reason is not that answers are unavailable. The reason is that many have bought into the error that “science deals with facts and religion deals with faith,” which is probably one of the most effective doctrines that Satan ever invented. The statement contains not even a kernel of truth in it.
Science Vs. Faith—A False Dichotomy
God is the author of knowledge; He revealed to us the truth of the origin of things. Many scientists for several centuries lived, operated, and discovered “scientific” truths within that framework. When Darwin’s theory of evolution came along, a different slant was put on things. Though evolution was never proven to be factual, the “scientific” community (with notable exceptions) began to act as if those who accepted the theory of evolution were the ones dealing with facts and those who accepted God’s factual account of Creation based their views on fantasy. Satan has always made evil look good and good look evil. He can make darkness seem as light and light as darkness.
In this instance, he took those whose beliefs are founded on an unproven theory and made them look “scientific” and those whose views are based on truth look like they were building upon a shaky theory. Trusting in God became equivalent to believing in the tooth fairy. Faith suddenly became “guesswork” instead of trust based on evidence. When Jesus made His claims concerning His Deity, for example, He did not expect people just to trust Him just on His say-so alone; for that reason He did the miracles. One can argue easily with an unsubstantiated claim, but when a tempest is stilled on the Sea of Galilee or a man blind from birth is able to see, it becomes a little easier to listen to the One capable of such great things. Bringing a man back to life who had been in the tomb four days is difficult to ignore, although the spiritual leaders of the Jewish people did—but that was not because of faulty evidence; rather it was due to extreme prejudice, just like many “scientists” today possess.
The worst thing is that many in religion bought into the “evolution-science, faith-fantasy” paradigm. They sacrificed the truth to an unproven theory. Rather than show that science is consistent with the Bible, they allowed the Bible to be regarded as “religion”—some-thing that just deals with philosophical matters. Therefore, many religious groups never study Christian evidences or science. They are content with letting atheists define all the terms. These attitudes account for the answer to Bann that nice boys don’t ask such questions. They are unprepared to provide an intelligent answer.
Young Bann drew the wrong conclusion from this inept response: “The Bible doesn’t make sense” (4) Well, what else is someone supposed to think? Without an adequate defense (1 Peter 3:15), the natural conclusion would be that the Bible was not intended to be rational, but science is. Word Bann “gravitated away from religion” (4). Despite the departure, he said he has returned somewhat. Science led him to conclude that “there is an order and a spiritual aspect to science” (5). Studying the creation can cause one to notice the marvelous order in God’s universe. Chaos cannot create such perfection. However, Bann’s conclusions concerning order did not lead him to the Bible as truth, or The DaVinci Code would not exist.
Religion and Randomness
Perhaps the most curious comment in the interview with Word Bann is this one: “The power that religion has is that you think nothing is random: If there’s a tragedy in my life, that’s God testing me or sending me a message” (4).
Does the Bible teach that God is in such control of the universe that nothing is random? The Scriptures teach God is Sovereign and possesses all power, but they do not teach that He exercises that power at all times. Anyone who argues that God controls things so tightly that everything that happens is His will would need to explain the presence of evil. No one could begin to understand why God ordained for innocent children to be abused or for innocent adults to be tortured and murdered. Calvinists are not very popular when, after a tragedy such as occurred at Columbine High School, they resign themselves to, “Well, it’s just God’s will.” No, it’s not!
It was an evil act that occurred when two human beings exercised the free will that God gave them. Can God bring good things out of evil events? He can, but that wondrous ability does not mean He caused the evil or wanted it to occur. Calvinists think THAT God causes everything to occur. He does not, but He arranges some things to occur as with Jesus dying for our sins on the cross. Even then, He did not force men to crucify Jesus; they did it because they were wicked.
Are there random events? If there are not, then Calvinism would be correct. Everything that occurs is not part of an Almighty comprehensive plan. We are free to choose what we do, just as other people are, and we enjoy or regret the decisions that we make. Many who believe in karma or New Ageism, like Calvinists do not believe in random acts. The popular New Age novel, The Celestine Prophecy (see May 18, 1997), frequently made the point: “There are no accidents.” The philosophy of determinism also advocates a lack of choice. Many believe that people are the product of their genes, their environment, or their upbringing, despite numerous examples to the contrary.
In Jeremiah’s day, after the captivity, those who remained in the land had a governor named Gedaliah. Johanan warned him that he was the target of assassination. He did not believe it and thus was killed. His choice proved fatal. Then the people asked whether they should stay in the land or flee to Egypt. God told them, through the prophet, to remain in the land. They fled nevertheless (Jer. 40-43). Neither of these actions were “ordained” by God; there were warnings against both of them; these cautions were ignored. Neither event was planned by God; both Gedaliah and those of Judah had the free will to choose their future course. True religion should not make anyone think that everything is predetermined.
On the other hand, God works providentially, also. He may supply an opportunity for a person to obey the gospel—or for a Christian to repent of his sins. He may supply opportunities for spiritual growth. These are not random but purposeful on His part, but one may fail to see the import of what God has provided. For example, a Christian woman is shopping and notices a backsliding sister in the same grocery store. The first lady encourages the second by saying that she is missed and that she and her family would really profit from being there. But the unfaithful sister ultimately ignores the concern shown to her. Christians often pass up opportunities for growth by missing regular worship, gospel meetings, and lectures—all of which God has authorized and provided (I Peter 5:10).
One should, when thinking of religion, not conclude that there is no randomness in life—but, on the other hand, realize that God had a plan for Jesus dying on the cross—that we might have forgiveness of sins. He has a goal that we be with Him in heaven and may provide opportunities to move us in that direction, but the choice is ours. Actually, it is the writer of novels, such as Word Bann, that controls everything—not God.
A Christian is a New Creature
Marvin L. Weir
The Ephesian brethren needed to understand that, as new creatures in Christ Jesus, they were to have buried the old man and his former way of life (cf. Eph. 4:22). A lack of spiritual growth and maturity will allow one to be influenced by false teachers and conquered by false doctrine. Thus, the warning by the apostle Paul to the Ephesians was “that [they] be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error” (Eph. 4:14). Let us learn from Paul’s admonitions to the brethren at Ephesus.
A new life demands a new lifestyle! One who obeys the gospel and becomes a child of God should be raised up from the waters of baptism to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4). Paul taught the Corinthian brethren the same thing, saying, “Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new” (2 Cor. 5:17). The Bible makes it very clear that a true change in relationship necessitates a change in the way one lives his life. If one claims citizenship in heaven (Phil. 3:20), he cannot conduct himself according to the ways of the world. The apostle Paul drives home his point that a new life requires a new lifestyle. The unsaved are described as having:
Vanity of mind – Those who are foolish and seek to live their lives without true wisdom and knowledge that comes from God (Eph. 4:17).
Their understanding darkened – Without true knowledge and understanding of God’s Word this becomes man’s degraded state (v. 18).
Hardened hearts – Repeated acts of sin renders one’s heart callused and hardened so as to be insensible.
Closed minds – A hardened heart will lead to a mind that is closed to God’s truth.
Impure and greedy thoughts – Debauchery of every kind flourishes without any sign of restraint (v. 19). Christians are to avoid those things that smack of immorality and ungodliness. Children of God must be willing to die to worldly ways and develop a spiritual lifestyle. Paul says it clearly in saying to the brethren at Rome, “knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin” (Rom. 6:6). Thus, members of the Lord’s church are to always cast aside the old self, which includes:
◾Lying (Eph. 4:24) – It is the opposite of truth. A “white lie” or “small lie” is unacceptable as a Christian is obligated to always speak the truth.
◾Uncontrolled anger that leads to sin (4:26) – One must not let anger contribute to him committing sin. Worldly anger is not identical with righteous anger (Mark 3:5). Righteous anger has its place, but it must not be used as an excuse to commit sin.
◾Stealing (Eph. 4:28) – Theft, swindle, and fraud are things the Christian will not participate in.
◾Corrupt communication (v. 29) – Adam Clarke notes that this means “any word or thing obscene, anything that injures virtue, countenances vice, or scoffs at religion.”
◾Grieve not the Holy Spirit – One grieves the Holy Spirit when he refuses to abide by the Spirit’s teaching (v. 30).
Paul next reminds Christians of what the new self they should have put on will include:
◾Building up of one another (4:29) – Encouragement and edification are necessary to help members withstand the devil’s attacks. A servant of God should not care who gets the praise. If something is accomplished for the cause of Christ, then let everyone rejoice.
◾Kindness and compassion (v. 32) – Consideration of another’s needs and a willingness to empathize and do that which is in his best spiritual interest (cf. Phil. 4:2-3). The parable of the Good Samaritan reminds us that we are to avoid the attitude of the priest and the Levite while imitating the actions of the one who had compassion for his fellowman.
◾Forgiveness (4:32) – A spirit of forgiveness must be shown. Some are unwilling to forgive, and this is wrong! Jesus makes this very clear in saying, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matt. 6:14-15). On the other hand, one cannot forgive one who does not seek forgiveness. We cannot do what God cannot do! Repentance and confession are mandatory if forgiveness is to be obtained. Let us remember that a new life demands a new lifestyle. May we as God’s children truly die to self and the world and set our hearts on that which is above!