| Opting out of DVCode | | Date Created: May 11, 2006, 09:49 PM |
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In a weird and convoluted article, Dick Staub seems to be arguing that Christians should not disengage by choosing not to see the DaVinci Code -- that to do so is a failure to 'take part in the cultural conversation.' In reply James Dolas still feels like it's a waste of time. I'm with Dolas. First of all, I think it's stretching it to call DaVinci Code 'culture.' But also, c'mon... I've been out of the dating scene for a while, but I think you're still allowed to converse with someone without going to the movies together every single week.
If Culture says to you "Did you like the DaVinci Code?" and you say "From what I've heard of it, I didn't think it was worth the effort." "Oh, really, why?" "Well, because ..." That's conversation. I think I'm with Staub only if Culture says "Did you like the DaVinci Code?" and you say "What's a DaVinci?" And from what I've seen, there's no way you can accuse evangelicals of being THERE. Look at all the articles and books and teaching DVDs replying point-by-point to DVCode! It's the biggest christian publishing goldmine since Rick Warren got his purpose-driving licence. (These do have value, of course -- I'm glad folks are doing them; it means I don't have to. But Staub isn't talking about engaging with it to correct historical accuracies.)
If it's healthy conversation with culture that you really want, then find something in culture that's really good, that you can admire (or at least talk about without "Code Rage"). Imagine the shoe on the other foot -- would you rather be a dialog-partner with a non-believer who says, "Yeah, let's talk about your Bible. I've read Revelation and hated it. It's so obscure and stupid!" Or one who said "I've read Matthew and even though I can't believe in those miracles, I think he must have been an amazing guy -- what wonderful teaching!"
We've got to live and interact with this ice cream shop of a culture. Their flavour of the month this month happens to be pretty gross. But it's a false dichotomy to think that means you either buy BoysenberryCorianderRipple or leave the shop. Hey, isn't that Hazelnut Mocha, over there, unsung, in the corner? Let's dig into that instead. |
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