'Da Vinci Code' Debunking to Hit National Television
The new television documentary, set to broadcast just days before the movie debut, follows a long line-up of resources that have come out left and right debunking the book.
There's a strong and definite interest in things related to Jesus Christ, according to a producer of a new documentary refuting The Da Vinci Code.
"Even if sometimes what's presented is unorthodox, there is a definite interest in Christ," said Jerry Newcombe, lead producer of "The Da Vinci Delusion."
"The Da Vinci Delusion," a production of Coral Ridge Ministries, features 15 experts – Protestant and Catholic – testing Brown's assertions against evidence from history and the Bible. The one-hour special will air nationally May 13, 14 on local networks.
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"This is not just a Sunday School curriculum," said Newcombe. "This is going to go out all across the nation."
Dan Brown's novel has much of the world talking about Brown's self-claimed "facts," with many refuting them. The new television documentary, set to broadcast just days before the movie debut, follows a long line-up of resources that have come out left and right debunking the book.
When asked about the last major worldwide explosion on religion, Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" was mentioned.
"'The Passion of the Christ' was pro-Jesus," he commented. "'The Da Vinci Code' [is] anti-Jesus."
Newcombe, an evangelical, does not plan to purchase a Hollywood ticket when the movie releases on May 19. He and other evangelicals are currently signing a statement to not support "blasphemy," seeing that the millions of people not familiar with the Gospel truth could be "spiritually poisoned."
While he recognized the evangelistic opportunity that the movie may present, as many evangelicals have taken a hold of, Newcombe said, "Every time you buy a movie ticket, you are voting 'Yes, Hollywood. Make more movies like this.'"
Best-selling author and evangelical Lee Strobel, also featured in the Coral Ridge documentary and out with several resources equipping Christians with answers to Brown's assertions, says otherwise. The atheist turned apologist calls the upcoming movie a "tremendous evangelistic opportunity."
Actor Tom Hanks, starring in the controversial film, also says the movie will help swell congregations.
"I think the movie may end up helping churches do their job," Hanks told Entertainment Weekly. "If they put up a sign saying, 'This Wednesday we're discussing the gospel,' 12 people show up. But if the sign says, 'This Wednesday we're discussing The Da Vinci Code,' 800 people show up."
After 40 million copies sold worldwide plus another half a million paperback copies in just the first week, Brown is scheduled to follow his controversial The Da Vinci Code with another novel, slated for release in 2007.
The new book, with its tentative title The Solomon Key, is coming out later than originally expected. Brown is taking the "time necessary to ensure that this new book is every bit as entertaining as 'The Da Vinci Code,'" according to an e-mail he sent to The Book Standard by publisher Doubleday.
