Using ‘The Da Vinci Code’ for Effective Outreach

With the upcoming release of the Hollywood movie “The Da Vinci Code,” based on author Dan Brown’s best-selling book that claims among others that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene, churches have an opportunity to turn an outright attack on the historic Christian faith into an opportunity for fruitful evangelism.

Numerous Christian churches, ministries and seminaries have posted resources online for dealing with the movie (see below). Churches and pastors can use these resources to preach a sermon series for seekers, offer small groups classes, and equip their teachers and leaders.

One noteworthy tool is offered by Christian apologist Josh McDowell, who has recently released his own 128-page novel depicting a trio of honest seekers named Chris, Matt and Andrea who follow the ‘Code’ trail to inspect the evidence for themselves.

The book, titled “The Da Vinci Code: A Quest for Answers,” was written in response to the upcoming movie and follows the conversations – based on real-life discussions – of three college students as they discover the truth behind the “Code.”

McDowell sends the trio on a hunt for truth from conspiracy theory to conspiracy theory, researching and discussing everything from the Priory of Sion, Opus Dei and the Knights Templar to the Gnostic Gospels, the canonization of Scripture, whether or not Jesus was married, and evidence for the resurrection.

Each chapter includes extensive bibliographic references to document all the counter-claims.

The “Quest” book also comes with a free, 30-page study guide that can be used in one-on-one discussions or as part of a small group seeker study.

OUTREACH IDEA USING ‘QUEST’ BOOK: Churches can purchase the “Quest” book in bulk for as low as $1.50 and offer the book to seekers on their Web sites, through special direct-mail pieces, in advertisements, or in their services. (Click here to read “The Value and Importance of a Free Offer.”)

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Here is a list of resources available online to equip your congregation and answering questions from seekers and skeptics:

:: Midwestern Baptist Seminary – 10 audio sessions from the ‘Da Vinci Code’ workshop, plus white paper resources “Da Vinci Code Inaccuracies” and “Was Jesus Married?”

:: Josh McDowell – countless pages of research notes and helps from this widely-known Christian apologist, including charts

  • Research Notes – Right click and “Save Target As”
  • 20-page full-color mini-magazine — Right click and “Save Target As”
  • Chapter 1 of his ‘Da Vinci Code: A Quest for Answers” Book — Right click and “Save Target As”

    :: First Baptist Church (Tallahassee, Fla.) – Church site that includes links to dozens of resources

    :: First Family Church (Overland Park, Kan.) – Story on how they have equipped their church for the movie

    :: Westminster Theological Seminary –     Rich Web site full of links, articles, pulpit helps, etc.

    :: North American Mission Board - Resources and advice for church planters, but extremely applicable to established churches also. Includes a research study on how the book has been received and believed.

    April 21, 2006 · Filed Under Church Marketing

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