The Da Vinci Code: Embrace It Or Run?

by Tyler Zach



I have heard that many churches are boycotting both The Da Vinci Code book and upcoming movie. Logically, that makes sense since the book DOES twist the truth. Not only does it twist the truth, but it is also very deceptive.

And many students as well as adults are getting sucked into the deception. Should this be a logical argument to boycott the book and movie? I argue that we should not. After consulting a few college students, I found out that students are going to watch the movie (which comes out later this month) whether someone tells them to go or not. So, we as Christ-followers, should educate ourselves on what the book has to say - so that we can create a bridge for them to hear the real truth.

It is a win-win situation. Christians can read the book or watch the movie, find answers to the controversial questions, research those points, and be prepared to share their faith. Christians will be sharpened, and non-Christians will be able to find the answers that they are looking for.

Remember hurricane Katrina? That was a huge tragedy - but in the midst of that God sent 322 students from Nebraska down to the coast to display His love and to make the gospel real in peoples’ lives. That was an example of how God turned something bad into something good.

The same is true for this controversy. Use the world-wide hype to start spiritual conversations all around you. Take a friend or family member to the movie and have a spiritual conversation afterwards. You may never get an easier opportunity to connect with non-Christians. Don’t fear it!

Josh McDowell, on staff with Campus Crusade, has written a book which talks about what is fact and what is fiction in the Da Vinci Code. It is only $3.95 and can be purchased here:

http://www.campuscrusade.com/DaVinciquest/

You can also find his Da Vinci podcast on iTunes. Over 100,000 people have downloaded his podcast (mp3s).

Glimpses of Glory

by Tyler Zach




When was the last time you had a glimpse of God’s Glory? What was it that you saw? A beautiful sunset? Someone helping an elderly person? Watching a parent smile and hold their newborn baby? Watching a scene from your favorite movie? Worshiping in church with your hands raised high? Listening to your favorite song? Watching your favorite sport’s team play on TV? Seeing a dear friend finally understand the truth of the gospel?

The Glory of God is revealed in many ways through many different means. We can’t control it or make it happen. It just comes in a wave of power at the most unexpected times. And often we don’t even realize what it is at the moment. God doesn’t restrict himself to churches nor confine Himself to what we would think of as religious activities. He is everywhere at all times. A Super Bowl victory praise is a glimpse of the feeling we will have when Jesus’ army prevails in the end of days. A sunset is a glimpse of the beauty our eyes will gaze at when we are walking toward the gates of heaven. Our favorite song is a glimpse of the speechless joy we will experience when we are silently bowed before the King.

His Glory can’t be hidden or ignored. It is beautiful. It is compelling. It moves the heart. It is speechless. It is what we long for. It is what we seek. It is what we want to gaze upon forever and ever.

When Mel Gibson, in the movie Braveheart, is murdered - every man is left speechless, fixing their hearts on the beauty of giving up your life for a cause. It is noble. It is pure. It is so unordinary. We all wish that we could somehow have the same courage, the same passion, the same devotion. But then we turn off the DVD and go back to our same old life. We tell ourselves that it was a great movie but leave it at that. We don’t even realize that we just experienced a glimpse of God’s Glory. And that Glory is available to us 24/7 for all of eternity.

If God’s Glory is real, and is not just a nice feeling in our head, and is occurring non-stop, then why don’t we have these glimpses more often? Why can’t we see what God is revealing to us all day long?

This world is heavy with fog. We see clearly with our physical eyes, but our spiritual eyes are dimmed. Ever since sin entered the world, God’s Glory has been masked. The blinds have been shut. But every once and a while, the shades are pulled slightly open and we experience a brief flood of light. This light pours heavily into our dark room. We are awakened and our adrenaline arises. God is coming. God is revealing Himself.

This is true. We can’t see God unless He reveals Himself. However, He also says in the book of James, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” I encourage you this week to draw near to Him with me. I’m guilty of doing a million things for Him while at the same time ignoring Him. My faith is weak. I can think of a dozen times this week when I have exchanged a glimpse of God’s Glory for something that I thought would fulfill me more. When we experience intimacy with God we tell ourselves that nothing in the world can compare. So why do we have such a hard time praying with Him? Why do we have a hard time meditating and reflecting upon the Word? Why do we have a hard time confessing our sin and being real with our friends – knowing that it will bring healing from God? Why do we keep going back to the same sinful patterns - knowing full well that by doing so we are only shutting the shades? The answer is that our faith is weak. Our modern minds think of faith as a one-time decision or agreement that God exists. It is not. Faith is an ongoing, fog-removing, turn-away-from-the- world and turn-to-God thing. If faith were a simple thing, then why would God say "sort out your salvation with fear and trembling?" Faith is drawing near to God's revelation each day.

Remember that worship is our response to experiencing God’s Glory. So how can we worship this week if we don’t see His Glory? And how can we see His Glory if we aren’t drawing near to Him? Let us draw near.