Friday, May 19, 2006

"Veni, Vidi, Da Vinci?"

Dear Parishioners,

"He, Came. He Saw, but, did he (Dan Brown) conquer the box office?" Time will tell. Unfortunately, too many people have given their minds over to the attractive arguments made in the best selling novel and movie, "The Da Vinci Code. " Bottom line: It's a suspense-thriller novel, but disingenuously claims to be based in accurate historical facts, a lie that should make all authors grimace and seek cover.

I will go to see it and make my own critique of the movie. But, in the meantime, I have read the book and combed through many of the details. My conclusion? The book is trite and laughable for those who are educated about their faith. It is dangerous, deceptive, and a work that does not give glory to God for those who are ignorant of Church history and the Catholic Church. It has made many people ponder and doubt the witness of the believers of the early Church. It has thrown into doubt the historicity of the Sacred Scriptures and lifted up heretical texts in their place. It has fed right into our critics, but in a way that even makes them look stupid. I could go on, but instead, I would like to draw your attention to a podcast I've been producing entitled, Jesus, Mary & Da Vinci. It was going to be a three-part series, but has been continually growing since the first episode.

Just recently, Fr. Roderick of the Starquest Podcast Network , The Catholic Insider, and Daily Breakfast invited me to join his community of podcasters and make these episodes available as a separate feed on his network. I was honored and agreed. So, you can now also go to The Da Vinci Cast: Jesus, Mary and Da Vinci via SQPN as well as subscribe via iTunes.

While many of the TV shows debunk the historical events, people, and places (an easy thing to do), I've spent time reflecting on the authority and value of the witness of the early Church, Gnosticism, The Gnostic texts, chapter 55 of the book, and answer listeners' questions.

The USCCB have produced what looks to be a good program, Jesus Decoded, about the real historical Jesus. The makers spend time debunking the bad research that comes from the book and offer a wonderful web site with supplementary information. Check out the video trailer by clicking this link. Thank you to all who have given generously to the Catholic Communications Campaign for making their web page and TV special possible.

Should you see it or not? That is ultimately an individual's decision. I will be seeing it. I have an obligation to do so. You need not see it nor read the book. However, know that if you don't, your ability to argue the case for the Jesus Christ of our faith will be less effective. Either way, check out books or TV programs that offer responses to the fast-food theology and history that is the Da Vinci Code.

Thank you again, Fr. Roderick for the honor of collaborating with you and your fellow SQPN podcasters.

Here are some related links for you to check out:

Sincerely,

Fr. William Holtzinger

Pastor

Thursday, May 4, 2006

"The Faith and the Da Vinci Code"

Coming May 19th will be the release of the Summer blockbuster movie, "The Da Vinci Code." Reactions from Christians and non-Christians alike have varied from intrigue, surprise, amazement, scandal, offense, anger, as well as ambivalence. But how should we react? How are Catholic Christians to respond to this best selling novel and soon to be released movie?

I've just completed the first in a set of three episodes of my own in an attempt to reflect on the theology offered in the book and movie. Entitled, Jesus, Mary, & Da Vinci, I spend time reflecting on the importance of the lived community as the the foundation for understanding who Jesus is. I try to offer an explanation as to how any "objective" unearthing of the historical Jesus outside of the believing community is seriously flawed and by no means neutral. While many of the TV shows debunking the secular source material (an easy thing to do), I spend time reflecting on the authority and value of the canonical Gospels and offer some reasons why the "Gnostic Gospels" shouldn't be given the same authority.

I hope to put out one episode each week, though my own work schedule will determine how that will happen. Either go to my podcast page or click the link above in order to download and listen to my podcast. Whether or not you go to the movie or read the book (now under $5 at Costco), it is important to do our own research and understand why we believe what we do. This is an opportunity for us all.

On my other web site, Geek is Good, I've offered several reflections. Better yet, the US Bishops have produced a TV special to be aired on the opening weekend of the "Da Vinci Code" movie. They have also created a very nice web site to accompany this special. The program and web site are both called Jesus Decoded. Check out the video trailer by clicking this link. Thank you to all who have given generously to the Catholic Communications Campaign for making their web page and TV special possible.

Archbishop Vlazny just wrote about how we are to respond to the movie in his weekly article in our archdiocesan newspaper, The Catholic Sentinel. Click here to read his reflection.

In cooperation with the movie producers and hollywoodjesus.com, an series of ecumenical reflections have been posted on a new web site called, The Da Vinci Dialogue. It's definitely worth reading.

In my opinion, we need to understand what we believe and know what teachings are contrary to our belief. 1 Peter 3:15-16 offers another way of putting it: "Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope. but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame."

We must be careful not to be fanatical about this issue, but clear and kind. I don't recommend picketing or making grand protests as such politic have historically backfired. We should all understand what the issues are and be able to respond to them. Reading the book nor going to the movie is necessary. Yet, be aware that the skeptics will likely stop listening to you if you have not made any of these efforts. Unfortunately, this is a common fallacy in logic, but it is sadly our human nature.

The issues presented in the fictional story are many and varied, but the most important is the claim about Jesus' "true" identity. To posit one contrary to the witness of the early Church is not only be an act of unfaithfulness, but intellectual dishonesty. The facts that have been reported even outside of Christian circles verify that Jesus was understood to be the Messiah, God incarnate, and the Lord of all. Any other depiction is simply fiction and ahistorical. So, let us remember that "The Da Vinci Code" is truly fiction, but a powerful fiction that deserves an appropriate response. I hope that those who have read the book or will see the movie will be inspired or encouraged to learn more about the facts of history. I highly recommend the book, "The Da Vinci Hoax" by Carl Olson and Sandra Miesel. Cardinal Archbishop George of Chicago calls it "the definitive debunking."

In the coming weeks, I will be releasing the first of a series of podcasts reflecting on the issues presented in the book. It is my hope that this book and movie will be an occasion for people to seek out the truth and understand the fictional nature of the details offered in "The Da Vinci Code."

Sincerely,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor