The most anticipated film this year entitled ‘The Da Vinci Code’ released to the world on the 17th to the 19th May this year, has Australian Christians preparing themselves to capitalise on the film potential success by challenging viewers to the numerous falsities of Jesus Christ based on the film.
The Bible Society of NSW announced the release of a new publication entitled ‘Da Ciphering Da Vinci – What you need to know to talk to your friends about the claims of The Da Vinci Code’.
Written by Baptist minister and Morling College lecturer, Reverend Marc Rader the publication is designed to give Christians quick answers to the three major issues raised by Dan Brown’s book and film.
“The book deals with the real story about Emperor Constantine and his role in supposedly ‘commissioning’ a new Bible; the reliability of the New Testament compared to other ancient publications; and claims that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene,” said Martin Johnson, Communications Manager.
Each of the three sections is linked by a conversation between two friends who travel together by train to work each day – one of whom is a Christian.
“It’s a very accessible way of covering the major issues of the book and film, without the reader needing to have a PhD in church history,” said author Marc Rader.
Bible Society NSW is further hosting four, two-hour seminars led by Marc Rader starting on May 17th at Ryde.
“The seminars will go through the book in some detail and give the opportunity for people to ask questions,” said Martin. “They are being held in Ryde, Gymea, Liverpool and Thornleigh with a cost of $6 per person,” he said.
The Anglican Diocese in Sydney is also launching an advertising campaign to challenge the film in order dispel the falsities of Jesus Christ where the most significant one was Jesus Christ did not die on the Cross but he married Mary Magdelene and had a family.
Bishop Robert Forsyth, chairman of Anglican Media Sydney, says that the campaign is important because, ‘When it comes to Jesus, there is a huge information void for many people’.
“Our concern is that the Da Vinci Code will mislead people about the truth,” says Bishop Forsyth. “We are not afraid of the film. We are not seeking to discourage people from seeing it. But we are well aware of the power popular films have in filling the information void about Jesus.”
The Anglican cinema advert will screen on 250 screens across Sydney for 4 weeks from May 11.