Louisville Process Theology Network

The Da Vinci Code and Faith

Mar 06, 2008

Just about everyone on the planet knows that "The DaVinci Code" by Dan Brown is a controversial novel. Last year's movie version stayed pretty close to the original story.

So, you already know this novel raises questions about traditional Christian beliefs. What if Jesus were not actually God? What if Jesus married and had children? What if secretive Church organizations had conspired over the millennia to cover this up?

This sounds wild and crazy. Don't we just love stories about grand conspiracies, sinister plots, secret codes, and murder investigations! Stir in some classic Renaissance art and ancient pagan rituals, and the plot thickens. Personally, I think "The DaVinci Code" is all in fun. It's a good read. (Browns' previous novel, "Angels and Demons", is even wilder.)

As to the Churches, this book has infuriated some folks and inspired others. This second part might sound even stranger than the book's plot line. It's pretty easy to see how "The DaVinci Code" would rile up folks of traditional Christian faith. How is it inspiring?

For many believers, this crazy story challenges us to concentrate on what matters most in our religion by teasing us about the traditional articles of faith. In so doing, it reminds us to put substance over form.

What if the forms were different, the book seems to ask, would you still have the substance of your faith? Many of us believe that we would, indeed. Substance outlasts form.

The substance of our faith is its values, meanings, and teachings. How does it help people live more meaningful lives? How does it save souls?

Many would say the substance of the Christian religion is most meaningfully expressed by the following passage from the Book of Matthew, Chapter 25. Many of us know it by heart.

"I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink... I was naked and you gave me clothing.. Truly, I tell you, as you did it to the least of these, you did it to me."

As it turns out, there are at least 64 scriptural passages in The Bible about liberation of the poor and oppressed and God's love for them from Exodus 3:7-17 to Revelations 18:15-24. It appears that generosity is big deal in the Christian religion; a very big part of its substance.

This is where "The DaVinci Code" takes many of us. The story reminds to keep our eyes on the ball. Remember what matters most of all. It also lets us poke fun at ourselves.