That said, on this issue I think we have overreacted. The book/movie just doesn't warrant the attention we've given it imo (just how many books are needed to debunk this thing?). So I lean toward anonymous' view of it (while still glad for the sharpening that has taken place as many believers have taken the time to brush up on church history, how the canon was put together etc.)

I think that's only true if, by “better,” you mean there would be less trouble. I think a more important “better” was accomplished by addressing people's questions.

If Christians had been more diligent to answer people's questions openly–encouraging questions and discussions–for the last few decades, there would have been many more Christians today who could have answered their friends' questions about TDC without all the special attention to the topic. I can't see how ignoring hurting people's questions–even if this would have created less waves–would have been the better option.

I'm sorry to see the movie promoted. The promotion is just a painful side effect of the above (no good will ever be untainted in this sinful world)–especially if the movie turns out to be a dud that would never have gone anywhere, but I think a lot of good has come from addressing the topic and helping Christians to understand the issues and communicate the truth to their friends (that's our main purpose in life, right?). I would much rather have Christians discussing these spiritual issues knowledgably with their friends than ignoring the topic.

In the wake of all this, it seems to me that most Protestants have wanted to use it as a witnessing tool, pointing out all of its flaws, when in reality they would have done better simply ignoring it, allowing it to play itself out like the fad that it is. You said it well yourself. The answer is yes, people are probably going to go see it, and it may even become a blockbuster because of all the negative attention Christians have given it.

We should have probably taken a cue from the RCC this time because not everything needs to be recognized, especially in pop culture.

I don't think that's the case. I heard very little about it at all from Christians until the movie was practically finished. I think the movie was made because the book is wildly popular.

Also, I think the rest of your comment is unfair and not based on what Christians have actually been doing. If people are starting to believe things that are not true according to even secular standards, are Christians doing wrong by teaching what actually is true about history, art, etc.? The focus has most definitely been on teaching the truth and informing Christians (and everyone in our society) rather than on condemning the book.

All the same, I'll be sad to see Dan Brown profit from our efforts.

Vicky

So I think it in part goes down to whether the film is good or not. The other thing that neither of the Jesus movies had going for them was that their casts didn't contain a box office draw like Tom Hanks. I suspect many will go to see the film because the like Tom Hanks' movies.

The Da Vinci Code may be a stinker, but I still expect it to make a bunch of money at least initially. I doubt people who loved the book will be turned away by bad reviews and I suspect others will go because it's been all over the news and they just want to see what the talk is all about. That the reviews say the film becomse cheesey at times is no surprise since the source material was wrought with heavy-handed sentimentality.