NathanATX
04-24-2006, 09:56 AM
After reading the book, which is something I think is neccessary before attempting to speak confidently about it, it's really clear that it is a mystery/suspense work of fiction. And not really a very good one... The foreshadowing is overdone to the point the reader quickly catches on and discovers the "suprise" pages/chapters before the author reveals it.
That being said, I did find the book intriguing.
Why? Primarily because the Catholic church & many prominent Protestants are vociferously condemning it.
I was really interested in the "true" parts of the book or the parts that lend themselves to credibility... For example: The author speaks authoritatively about art history, Leonardo Da Vinci, etc. That made me want to learn more about those subjects. The author also wrote about church history, how church decisions are made, how power is abused, etc... Again, leaving me very interested in these topics.
He took a very "outlandish" idea and used real situations, real locations, real people and real history to weave a story that leaves the reader satisifed with having read a "decent" thriller, curious to learn more about various topics, and just maybe, a little reflective about his or her faith.
That last part, leaving the reader a little reflective about his or her faith is the part that has the Church in an uproar.
Why? What does the Church have to fear?
Maybe, just maybe, people are going to begin seeking answers to the more challenging questions... Maybe people are no longer going to accept a belief just because a powerful Church establishes it. Maybe people are going to take personal responsibility for discovering what it means to be a person of faith in today's modern world.
I think the massive interest and controversy associated with this book should compel churches to act. NOT to reinforce existing battle lines, but to figure out what it is going to take to deliver a contemporary message of Christianity that actually speaks to the masses.
Deriding dissidents and writing off "unbelievers" as deceived is simply an attempt to abdicate responsibility for the failure of the church to speak a coherent, transforming, and powerful message of God's love and the essence of Christianity to today's world.
That being said, I did find the book intriguing.
Why? Primarily because the Catholic church & many prominent Protestants are vociferously condemning it.
I was really interested in the "true" parts of the book or the parts that lend themselves to credibility... For example: The author speaks authoritatively about art history, Leonardo Da Vinci, etc. That made me want to learn more about those subjects. The author also wrote about church history, how church decisions are made, how power is abused, etc... Again, leaving me very interested in these topics.
He took a very "outlandish" idea and used real situations, real locations, real people and real history to weave a story that leaves the reader satisifed with having read a "decent" thriller, curious to learn more about various topics, and just maybe, a little reflective about his or her faith.
That last part, leaving the reader a little reflective about his or her faith is the part that has the Church in an uproar.
Why? What does the Church have to fear?
Maybe, just maybe, people are going to begin seeking answers to the more challenging questions... Maybe people are no longer going to accept a belief just because a powerful Church establishes it. Maybe people are going to take personal responsibility for discovering what it means to be a person of faith in today's modern world.
I think the massive interest and controversy associated with this book should compel churches to act. NOT to reinforce existing battle lines, but to figure out what it is going to take to deliver a contemporary message of Christianity that actually speaks to the masses.
Deriding dissidents and writing off "unbelievers" as deceived is simply an attempt to abdicate responsibility for the failure of the church to speak a coherent, transforming, and powerful message of God's love and the essence of Christianity to today's world.