C.S. Lewis’s message to “Da Vinci Code” fans

Here is the real harm of these modern conspiracy theories: They may appeal to our emotions, but they violate our common sense. They reject reason, just as surely as they reject revelation. “I do not wish to reduce the skeptical element in your minds,” Lewis explained. “I am only suggesting that it need not be reserved exclusively for the New Testament and the Creeds. Try doubting something else.”

Last week I finally got curious enough to commit to reading the Da Vinci code. I guess the final straw was when my mother-in-law said that the book bothered her. Having recently read “Misquoting Jesus” and found new vibrancy to my faith, I am actually looking forward to this journey.

Sometimes when I read criticisms of the Gospels I feel I am being seduced by a subconscious urge to believe that there was unattached biographer taking notes for some future religion. When in reality the Gospels are God inspired stories that are inseparable as being both human and divine inspired. If the Gospels were perfectly correlated, we would only need one and we would undoubtedly start clamoring for a set of laws like the Sharia or the Jewish laws to order our lives. Yet this lack of divine perfection in the Gospels mimics one of the great attractions of Jesus. He was both human and divine. I have no doubt that he endured all of the pain and frailty of being human even though he could have used his divine nature to choose a less painful path. Yet his human existence is an essential part of his story. His human nature allows us to build a relationship with him in the way we are most comfortable with. Jesus is approachable because he was human. God on the other hand is a bit enigmatic and touching or seeing God is even more of a problem. As an example Moses had his problems talking with God. It is not hard for me to do a personal inventory of myself and declare that Moses was a much better man at talking to God then I will ever be. Ultimately I will need a little help. The human nature of Jesus allows me to approach him and his divine nature allows me to take the next step and develop a relationship with God. Yet this is still not enough! Although my mind and heart are willing, I am wise enough to realize that I am not strong enough to do this alone. I will need friends who will encourage me when I am weak and help me back on to the path when I stray. The journey and the friends you bring with you are just as important to God as the destination. This is the great hope of the Gospels.

Although the “Da Vinci Code” will probably entertain and challenge me, I feel the common sense of the Gospels will again prevail.