Weekly Devotional Message from David Jones

May 19, 2006

Dear family and friends of WCPC:

Well, if you didn’t know it already, “The DaVinci Code” opened today. I haven’t seen it yet but the reviews I’ve read haven’t  been very good. What I have been more interested in however are the protests that have taken place over the movie. It’s almost as if somehow we think we have to defend God, defend the gospel. You know what. We don’t. God has it totally under control. We don’t need to defend God or the good news. We just have to bear witness to it with our lives, with our words. God is always at work, redeeming, even a movie that isn’t very good, according to some critics, and maybe one of the ways this movie will have a life long after it’s been forgotten are the questions your unchurched relatives and friends who see the movie may have. They may ask you for your opinion. What an opportunity to share your faith. 

Of course it’s important that we know our faith. Maybe all this talk about the movie has compelled you to read through the gospels again, just to make certain you didn’t miss anything. Maybe it’s encouraged you to read through some of the Confessions that the Church has treasured for almost 2000 years, like The Apostles Creed—“I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and in Jesus Christ, His Only Son, Our Lord…”  Jesus said, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free”  (John 8:32). The truth that we declare together every Sunday and throughout the week with our lives has stood the test of time. 

One of the actors in the movie, responding to the criticism and the protests said, “When I went to buy a copy I found it in the fiction section of the bookstore, not the religion section.” Please remember, whether you read the book or see the movie, it’s purely fiction. And some might say, after seeing the movie, not even very good fiction. (I haven’t seen it yet, so I will reserve my judgment as a movie critic.) 

If after seeing the movie or reading the book, you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’ve got some resources I can place in your hands that might be helpful, but please remember, it’s just a movie.

See you on Sunday,

David Jones