catholicsphere

Boycott it. Protest it. Ban it. [tag]Othercott[/tag] it. Talk about it.

These are some of the options spoken of [tag]The DaVinci Code[/tag]. But, perhaps the best option is learn the truth about it.

[tag]Dan Brown[/tag] and [tag]Ron Howard[/tag] have perhaps provided the Christian [tag]Church[/tag] with an opportunity to teach. Unfortunately, the need to do so is due to both a deficiency in teaching by the Church, and a lack of interest by Christians. Many Christians simple aren’t equipped to respond to the errors that The DaVinci Code puts forth. In fact, most people in general lack the historical background to know what to believe — and this only gets worse as the years go on.

Ask most Christians where the Bible came from, how it was compiled and how it came down to us today, and they would be at a loss. Yet, this is the sole source that many — particularly Protestant Christians — base their faith on.

If these Christians cannot provide an answer to such a fundamental question, how can answers be expected for other questions; questions like “Did the Emperor Constantine proclaim Jesus’ divinity?” or “Were there 80 gospels but only 4 were chosen that fit in with the idea of a ‘masculine’ Church?” or “Was Jesus really married and did He have children?”

The DaVinci Code raises these [tag]questions[/tag] for an audience caught unprepared. It is good that churches are seeking ways to reach out to the most susceptible — the unchurched — but it is important for these to also use this opportunity to teach those in the seats weekly about the foundations and history of Christianity. Sure, I love a homily that applies the Gospel practically to my life as much as the next guy … but there is a need to catechize from the pulpit. I hope and pray that its significant enough to wake up the “homily sleepers” and the “bulletin readers”.