Certainty

I finished the Da Vinci Code. I had been asked by a few people if I had read it. They're familiar with my spiritual journey and know that some of what Dan Brown wrote mirrored some of what I have said in the past.

Spiritually, I only know/believe one thing these days: God exists. I don't know what God is or what God is all about or how involved God is in our lives, but there is too much order in the universe to deny intelligent design. Anyone who can do that can do, well, whatever they like. I just can't believe that my 4-pound brain can grasp the nature of that being.

If others know the truth more authoratatively than I do and believe more confidently, I envy them. I don't personally assert my questions and doubts upon others unless pointedly asked. In a conversation, I'm more inclined to tell a Christian supportive chapter and verse than anything else.

That said, here are my thoughts on the Da Vinci Code...

Obviously, Mr. Brown spent a lot of time reseaching and creating the plot and puzzles. The facts that he cites of early church history are pretty close to what I know to be true. My understanding from several sources is that Constantine's Council of Nicea was a political, not a spiritual, event. Afterward, his government killed people who believed other than what was declared to be true and so history and doctrine were cemented for centuries.

Dan Brown is also right that there are a plethora of other gospels than just Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Thomas, Philip, and so on all wrote about their experiences. But these weren't included in what we know as the Bible. Why? Beats me, but the committee didn't want to include them.

The whole Jesus married Mary thing... I don't know. For my spiritual life, it doesn't matter. I don't think I'll research it further for that reason.

But any book that causes churches to fight it as hard as they do, well that's just great marketing. Just as people were fighting Mel Gibson for his pretty much straight-from-the-bible film, Passion, which helped boost the buzz around it. (Great film, by the way. Very accurate to the text of the bible, which is partially why it sold as well as it did.)

Great book, but it's just a book. It shouldn't determine faith.

Tags: god | da vinci code
by Brett Rogers, 4/2/2005 7:25:20 PM
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"Great book, but it's just a book. It shouldn't determine faith."

I've always kind of thought the same thing about the bible. But I know I'm in the minority. :-)

Posted by Bella, 4/3/2005 12:01:04 AM

lol - You're such a troublemaker...

Posted by Brett Rogers (http://www.beatcanvas.com), 4/3/2005 9:13:40 AM

I appreciate your honesty about your spiritual journey. And as for your search for certainty, I won't give you a litany of why I believe. I will just give you Christ's own words, from the book of Matthew, chapter 7, beginning with verse 7: "Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks." Meaning -- it doesn't hurt to ask Him to reveal Himself to you. Most people who say they don't know, don't really WANT to know.

You are a blessing to me, whether you know it or not, Brett. Thank you. : )

Posted by Anonymous, 4/4/2005 11:55:46 AM

Hey Kris

You have me wondering what I did to be a blessing, but thanks for that. It puts a good smile on my face :)

I've searched quite avidly in the past. I can say without hesitation that I've searched Jesus out more than anyone I've known. I was once very devout. It wasn't uncommon to see me carry my bible to work and read it during breaks. I was unashamed of my faith and have freely spoken to many others about Jesus.

For me, though, it was all in pursuit of someone who never answered me back. I'm about at the stage where if Jesus really wants me, he needs to tackle me around the ankles. Perhaps I'm just too dumb to hear/see/know him, but I don't. As I've said, for others who know him in a personal way, I envy them. They have something that I very passionately sought for years.

Posted by Brett Rogers (http://www.beatcanvas.com), 4/4/2005 12:23:39 PM

What I find particularly offensive is when people espouse the greatness of God's mind, his plan, his existance, his intentions, and in the next breth tell me what God's opinion is on current events.
Not even Jesus knew God's mind, or so they claim in the bible. Why on earth do some people think they know more than Jesus?
WWJD? You could never know because your mind is human.

Posted by Stefanie, 4/4/2005 3:27:56 PM

I read this book such a long time ago, along with it's prequel Angels and Demons. Dan Brown is a great writer, partially because he mixes just enough fact into his writing to really make you think.

But it is just a book. A darn good one, but just a book.

PS Sorry I don't check in much lately. Brenna is getting teeth.

Posted by Jody Halsted, 4/4/2005 11:13:45 PM

I like the premise of WWJD, because trying to think of how Jesus would want people to act can easily lead to a kinder world. The problem I have with it, though, is that people were really serious about WWJD, they would sell all that they have and spend the rest of their days trying to disciple all nations.

You're right - Jesus didn't know everything about his Father's knowledge. I'm very leery when I hear people suggest that they know how God thinks about something. God's quite surprising, if the bible is any testament to his thoughts and deeds.

Posted by Brett Rogers (http://www.beatcanvas.com), 4/4/2005 11:28:33 PM

Hi Jody

Thanks for dropping by. I totally understand the teething thing. You were getting great advice from others about that - hope that helped!

Posted by Brett Rogers (http://www.beatcanvas.com), 4/4/2005 11:31:17 PM