http://www.davincicode.org.sg/index.php?Welcome
A little something put together by some of the churches in Singapore, regarding the bestseller controversy the Da Vinci Code>
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Note of welcome on the homepage:
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown is a conspiracy-theory thriller. In the author’s own succinct synopsis, the book is essentially about “a renowned Harvard symbologist who is summoned to the Louvre Museum to examine a series of cryptic symbols relating to Da Vinci's artwork. In decrypting the code, he uncovers the key to one of the greatest mysteries of all time…and he becomes a hunted man.”
It is exceptionally well written as far as secular novels go. Many accolades have come in the wake of this international best seller. The NEW YORK TIMES hails it as a “blockbuster perfection. An exhilaratingly brainy thriller.” The DENVER POST claims that “thriller writing doesn't get any better than this”. The WASHINGTON POST states that the thriller is “Exceedingly clever”. The CHICAGO TRIBUNE characterizes it a “thundering, tantalizing, extremely smart fun ride” and adds that “Brown doesn't slow down his tremendously powerful narrative engine despite transmitting several doctorates' worth of fascinating history and learned speculation…” Library Journal lauds this bestseller as “a compelling blend of history and page-turning suspense…”
The book is a fascinating read and while I unashamedly look forward to the movie, I do not think, as in Lord of the Rings, that the movie would be as good as the book itself. And if you are wondering how an Asian Christian pastor can say such a liberal thing about the Da Vinci Code, I offer four simple responses – (1) the book is intended by the author to be a novel; (2) I am not endorsing its speculations; (3) I am a contrarian at heart – in the mold of the enigmatic Koheleth who wrote Ecclesiastes and (4) I am not finished yet!
Hear me out. Having given my honest regard for the novel, I must register my deepest concern. I am not so much concerned for Dan Brown as I am for his readers. Many readers cannot discern that it is written as a novel. In a postmodern age prone to speculative reductionism and historical revisionism, what is intended as a fictitious novel is readily deemed as history by many.
When asked “How much of this novel is true?” Dan Brown himself replied in his official website: “The Da Vinci Code is a novel and therefore a work of fiction” (emphasis his!). When asked, “Is this book anti-christian?” the author reiterates, “No. This book is not anti-anything. It's a novel”; meaning, a work of fiction (emphasis mine).
Yet the collateral damage is great. It is a good novel with a wrong speculation. The Da Vinci Code characterizes the New Testament Gospels as mere “fabrications” and casts doubts on the deity of Christ. This is the most deadly kind of poison. Fiction is accepted as fact; and fact – such as the deity of Christ – is dismissed as fiction.
So, here’s the pertinent question: “In a world that discusses fiction as fact and fact as fiction, what is fact and what is fiction?” Now that’s the greatest Code to break! As such, I am so delighted that a highly competent team of writers have made a concerted effort to help you break this Code. They have caused their expertise to bear upon such important inquires such as “Are the New Testament documents historically reliable?”, “Is Jesus God?” and “What credentials substantiate His claim to deity?”
Read on. This book will help you in your journey to decide what is fiction and more importantly, what is the Truth that is stranger (and far more compelling) than fiction!
Put on your thinking cap - and have a great journey ahead…..
Breaking into the Code of Life,
Rev Edmund Chan
Senior Pastor
Covenant Evangelical Free Church
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