A Quest for Answers: The DaVinci Code

In just a few days the movie, "The DaVinci Code" will be drawing millions to the movie theater. This movie, based on the same titled book, is a fictional best seller that weaves an incredible story of deceit, murder and intrigue about a secret society that has been given the task of keeping secret, shocking and priceless relic.

Many people have wondered, "It the DaVinci Code Real?; Is it Historically Accurate?" The answer is yes - and no. Yes, there are historical people and groups that actually lived mentioned in this book - just as there was actually a New York City and Empire State Building in the movie King Kong. But much of what is presented as fact is simply historically inaccurate. Be that as it may, the DaVinci Code is a great book - but it is a book of fiction.

Josh McDowell in the book, "A Quest for Answers: The DaVinci Code" tells a story of three college students who begin to read the book, "The DaVinci Code" and begin to research some of the historical claims of the book. McDowell writes this book in novel format, but it is heavily footnoted for those who would like to further study the claims the book makes.

If you would like to view an Adobe PDF File of the first chapter, you can click here. If you would like to order a copy of the book, you can click here.

Here is another link to more information about a Believers Response to the "DaVinci Code."

Blue Like Jazz

It has been a while since I have "blogged" on what I was reading. Not that I wasn't reading - just too busy to sit down and write about it. I thought it was time to change that - so here we go.

While writing my Doctoral Dissertation a couple of years ago - I discovered there were people that didn't think like me ... I am not talking about agreeing with me ... but the didn't process information like I did - didn't view reality like I did - didn't even view a relationship with Christ the way I did. I think a little background is in order here.

I was raised by very godly parents - they taught me how to love, taught me how to treat people and taught me how to think - how to reason. It was all very logical - for my father is an analytical engineer - smart too - brilliant actually - he is a rocket scientist. I was raised to think - reason - analyze - weigh out options - black/white - very quantifiable - very empirical. And I love that ... I love bulleted lists - I love precision - I love finding solutions to difficult problems.

And in a sense - that is what Jesus is to me - A solution to a difficult problem. Sin separated me from God and Jesus provided a solution to this relational problem. Big problem - great solution. Makes sense.

But as I began to research my Dissertation - I found that most people didn't see the world or God as I did. It wasn't so clear cut - the "reasoned bulleted convincing arguments" didn't work. It was if I was speaking a totally different language than they were.

So - I have been doing what I have always done - I have been analyzing the situation. (stop laughing) I want to know how to communicate with these people. I want to understand what "makes them tick."

At first I thought they were nuts. Sloppy - messy - artsy/fartsy kind of people - but now I have come to appreciate them for what they are. They are the artist to my engineer. They are the color to my black and white.

They love the same God as I do - but express that love in such different ways - worship Him in such different ways - ways that don't ring my bell - but I do think it rings God's Bell. Actually - I think my of loving and worshipping Him does too - God has a great capacity to receive all kinds of expressions of love from His Children.

Which brings me to this book - Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller.

Donald Miller is a guy that loves the Lord in an incredible way. This book chronicles many of his thoughts and experiences about people and God.

As I read it – it seemed like a meandering journey – but one that I truly enjoyed and appreciated greatly. In addition – he sees things in a way that I do not – which is marvelous!

It is clear that he has an incredible love for Jesus – and so do I – but we have arrived there in incredibly divergent paths – and we both have something to learn from the others journey.

I have learned to appreciate the journeys, experiences and biblical applicative insights from this book. He writes honestly about his struggles with faith, the church, right-wing politics and especially religion. But what is amazing is that he doesn’t “gloss over” these struggles with religious jargon or clichés. And in the struggles – you gain insight to his soul – and insight to your own.

There are some things in this book that make me uneasy – but to dismiss the insights because of those would be incredibly prejudiced – even judgmental. But still …

I would highly recommend this book to have both a greater understanding of a way of postmodern religious reasoning – and to see journeys to God that are filled with incredibly poignant truths.

Velvet Elvis - Rob Bell

Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell is a very interesting and entertaining read. There are many insights that I picked up from this book - particularly those of the Jewish Culture during the time of Jesus. From Bell's insights on the Jewish Culture, Rabbis and Tamildin - the calling of the Disciples by Jesus took on a much deeper and fuller meaning.

However, there are points where Bell stretches my comfort zone with his view of Scripture. His points of questioning whether there is a "constant right" interpretation of scripture troubles me. Even though there are cultural and traditional influences and insights, there is still places where the scripture is clear. While insights might add color, there are still some black and white issues of right and wrong in scripture that cross cultural, generational and geographic lines.

Additionally, I am troubled at some acceptance of habits that would be stumbling blocks in the culture that I live. While as Christians there is freedom, there are times when you don't exercise that freedom because it would be a stumbling block to either new believers or even unbelievers. Again - that is my culture - and Rob Bell does not live in my culture.

I would recommend this book to mature Christian who could filter it though his understanding of his faith and the culture in which he lives his faith out.