The DaVinci Code: What did Jesus Care About?
In my last two posts, I've suggested that:
1. I think that people are fascinated by The DaVinci Code because it confirms an innate suspicion that there is "more" to Jesus than popularized Christian leaders are telling them.
2. In some cases, they are right. BUT
3. The DaVinci Code doesn't tell us much about the real Jesus, either.
The Jesus that is often portrayed - particularly by evangelicals - is a Jesus who is mainly concerned with getting people into heaven after they die, rather than getting the kingdom of heaven into our world. This is not the Jesus of the synoptic gospels.
When Jesus is watered down to this point, he looks bizarre, manipulative, and even irrational. If you want to get a feel for how this bizarre portrayal of Jesus comes across to an outsider, check out this video. (Warning: the video contains some PG-13 language; its probably not a good idea to watch it with the kids in the room.)
More to come.
Related Tags: The DaVinci Code, Jesus, Evangelism, Evangelicals
Other Posts: Part 1, Part 2, Part 4, Part 5
1. I think that people are fascinated by The DaVinci Code because it confirms an innate suspicion that there is "more" to Jesus than popularized Christian leaders are telling them.
2. In some cases, they are right. BUT
3. The DaVinci Code doesn't tell us much about the real Jesus, either.
The Jesus that is often portrayed - particularly by evangelicals - is a Jesus who is mainly concerned with getting people into heaven after they die, rather than getting the kingdom of heaven into our world. This is not the Jesus of the synoptic gospels.
When Jesus is watered down to this point, he looks bizarre, manipulative, and even irrational. If you want to get a feel for how this bizarre portrayal of Jesus comes across to an outsider, check out this video. (Warning: the video contains some PG-13 language; its probably not a good idea to watch it with the kids in the room.)
More to come.
Related Tags: The DaVinci Code, Jesus, Evangelism, Evangelicals
Other Posts: Part 1, Part 2, Part 4, Part 5
posted by Matt at Wednesday, May 17, 2006
6 Comments:
I'm not sure what to think about after the last scene. I had a lot to think about up to then. I guess we (Christians) seem pretty crazy in what we believe. We probably don't do the best job in our explanations. I don't think that God is like Hank who just likes to toy with us and frustrate us like we are his puppets and entertainment rather than his creation that he desparately seeks relationship with. Hmmm I guess I do know what to think or at least a start. Thanks Matt!
Michael-
I'm not quite sure what to make of the last scene either. But thanks for stopping by today. I'm grateful to have you as one of my kids' youth ministers because of the very things you said here - you have a BIGGER vision of God than the "Hank" version that the MIBs represetned in this video.
Also, for that reason, I'm pretty sure YOU don't come across this way.
Jonathan-
I'm with you - I'm not there, yet. But I think I know you well enough to say that you're getting it a lot more "right" than you're giving yourself credit...
Matt, that is a powerful video. I suppose much of what many Christians are saying today sounds ridiculous. Question: Is it possible to proclaim the kingdom of heaven without looking "bizarre, manipulative, and even irrational"?
Toby-
I'm going to give MY answer to that question in the next day or so. The short version is - yes, I think that offering up to people a picture of Jesus that is more authentic WILL resonate in our culture.
That video be definitely funky!
Peace.
Post a Comment
<< Home