Da Vinci Code

Action ideas - The Da Vinci Code

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Organising a Da Vinci Code evening

“They got Paul and took him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said, ‘Please explain to us this new idea you have been teaching. The things you are saying are new to us, and we want to know what this teaching means.’ (All the people of Athens and those from other countries who lived there always used their time to talk about the newest ideas)” Acts 17:19-21.

As we can see from this account in the book of Acts, the Apostle Paul was fearless in “Getting Out More”. People were talking about spirituality and faith issues, and Paul found out where they were so that he could join in their conversations.

How can we follow Paul’s example in the 21st century? Where are people talking about spirituality and faith issues? Tom Hanks, the star of the movie The Da Vinci Code, made a helpful suggestion when interviewed for the American magazine, Entertainment Weekly: “…I think the movie may end up helping churches do their job. You know, 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.” Ron Howard, the director of the movie, echoes this in the same magazine: “I think most theologians have decided to utilise the story as a jumping-off place. Use the dialogue generated to stimulate discussion.”

So, where to start in holding a Da Vinci Code evening? Steve Hollinghurst of Church Army has written an excellent booklet, called "Coded Messages – Evangelism and The Da Vinci Code". In it, he gives four tips for running a Da Vinci Code event:

1. Be prepared for a genuine debate. It might be tempting to ensure that a party line is towed, but it is a temptation to avoid.

2. Try to ensure there is not only one speaker. This will ensure better questions and will help you really engage with the issues and not come over as trying to do a cover-up.

3. Choose your venue wisely. It needs to be either atmospheric or neutral and welcoming.

4. Seek to address the “10 key questions” * at your event. These include: "Would it have been wrong for Jesus to be married?"; "Did the church suppress Pagan beliefs?"; and "How do you think we should view Mary Magdalene?"

For the remaining questions and for more advice from Steve Hollinghurst, you should visit: www.encountersontheedge.org.uk/main/da%20vinci%20code.htm, or better still, order his "Coded Messages" booklet from: www.grovebooks.com. More resources are available at: www.churcharmy.org.uk/DaVinciCode

Action points:

Where will you hold the evening? In your local church or cathedral, in a community hall or conference room, or in your own home?
Will it be a discussion of the book? If so, you need to give the people you are inviting plenty of advance warning in order to read the novel (if they haven't already done so).
Will it be a showing of the DVD, followed by a discussion? If so, bear in mind that the film is 2½ hours long so you will need to start at a reasonably early time to allow time for discussion. You might decide just to show extracts. DVDs that you rent or buy are licensed for home viewing so there is no problem in showing them in your own home.

Revd Steve Hollinghurst works with The Sheffield Centre, Church Army's research unit, as "Researcher in Evangelism to Post-Christian Culture". He has experience of mission work in contemporary culture, both as a youth evangelist for several years in an inner urban area of Nottingham and also as a University Chaplain. He is part of the team that runs the Elemental venue at the Glastonbury festival and is involved in several Christian stalls at New Age fairs.