Anticipating the Da Vinci 'Tsunami'
It's one of the hugest challenges to the church and to the Christian faith in this lifetime. Yet, it's also one of the greatest opportunities for Christians.
It's one of the hugest challenges to the church and to the Christian faith in this lifetime. Yet, it's also one of the greatest opportunities for Christians, according to a best-selling author and evangelical.
The much awaited and feared movie release of The Da Vinci Code is about to cause another major “tsunami” set to flood the world. But this time, it's a spiritual one and this time around, Christians are ready.
"I honestly believe that we're going to be ready this time," said Lee Strobel during the biggest teleconference of its kind on Thursday. "We don't want to see the faith of our friends shipwrecked. Let's be prepared."
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Author of Exploring The Da Vinci Code and teaching pastor at Saddleback Valley Community Church, Strobel was joined by a panel of authors and Christian leaders in a call that drew hundreds of church pastors all on the same quest to address the worldwide phenomenon of Dan Brown's controversial novel.
"Lighten up. It's fiction," many would say in response to the explosion of Christian response in the form of discussions, books, curriculums, websites and so forth.
"It's make-believe," Lee also acknowledged, “but people are believing it.”
Along with the 40 million-plus copies of the book that has been sold worldwide in the past three years, advertisements are riding on buses and clothing the streets to promote the upcoming movie.
Everyone is talking about Jesus, said Mark Mittelberg, evangelism leader of Willow Creek Association, and Christian leaders are telling believers to be prepared.
"Why is this so important?" posed Strobel. First, it's a huge worldwide phenomenon that attacks core issues of the Gospel. Second, Christians and seekers are actually believing Brown's allegations are true. Third, "Brown has put a tremendous evangelistic opportunity right in our laps."
According to reported statistics, 53 percent of Americans said the novel has been helpful in personal spiritual growth and understanding. Meanwhile, on the other end, 75 percent of churches said they're going to do something about it, such as a sermon series.
While mindful of outreach, Christian leaders are highly concerned about the believers themselves.
"We must respond to this," said Mittelberg, "to protect our flocks."
Although concerned, Christian leaders have witnessed an incredible response within their churches.
Ken Baugh, senior pastor of Coast Hills Community Church in Aliso Viejo, Calif., produced and conducted an eight-week series on The Da Vinci Code with a young adult ministry and saw the most interest, the most response, and a large number of members inviting unreached friends than he had ever seen in 11 years of ministry.
Baugh is only one of many evangelicals who have contributed to a mini-industry of resources debunking the novel and equipping Christians.
One of the interesting things about this phenomenon is that "people love to talk about it. This is something people love to talk about," said Strobel.
"This is not a distraction from core teaching," commented Baugh. "This is core teaching."
With the movie set to open in theaters nationwide on May 19, pastors and Christians are creating a synergistic movement in the foreknowledge of the tsunami to turn what may be intended for evil into something good.
