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==='''Part VIII: Dan Brown’s Representation of Christianity'''===

==='''Part VIII: Dan Brown’s Representation of Christianity'''===

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Throughout The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown paints a picture of Christianity, and most importantly, its central figure: Jesus Christ.  In official interviews, he states that he himself is a Christian.  (danbrown.com ) But repeatedly, he proves in The Da Vinci Code that his understanding of Christianity is a sadly twisted and empty one. 

Throughout The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown paints a picture of Christianity, and most importantly, its central figure: Jesus Christ.  In official interviews, he states that he himself is a Christian.  (danbrown.com)  

He repeatedly refers to the sum total of Christians as “the Vatican” or “Rome”.  He does not distinguish between the Catholic and Protestant traditions whatsoever, and most importantly, does not seem to grasp the difference between a personal relationship with Jesus Christ based on serious convictions and a merely outward acceptance of the religion for political, social or other reasons.   

He repeatedly refers to the sum total of Christians as “the Vatican” or “Rome”.  He does not distinguish between the Catholic and Protestant traditions whatsoever, and most importantly, does not seem to grasp the difference between a personal relationship with Jesus Christ based on serious convictions and a merely outward acceptance of the religion for political, social or other reasons.   

''Faith is a continuum, and we each fall on that line where we may. By attempting to rigidly classify ethereal concepts like faith, we end up debating semantics to the point where we entirely miss the obvious--that is, that we are all trying to decipher life's big mysteries, and we're each following our own paths of enlightenment. I consider myself a student of many religions. The more I learn, the more questions I have. For me, the spiritual quest will be a life-long work in progress.''

''Faith is a continuum, and we each fall on that line where we may. By attempting to rigidly classify ethereal concepts like faith, we end up debating semantics to the point where we entirely miss the obvious--that is, that we are all trying to decipher life's big mysteries, and we're each following our own paths of enlightenment. I consider myself a student of many religions. The more I learn, the more questions I have. For me, the spiritual quest will be a life-long work in progress.''

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Apparently, Dan Brown believes there are no solid truths—that Christian doctrine is malleable and can be tailored to each person’s desires.  However, he is gravely mistaken; faith is not a continuum.  Christianity does not involve shaky, grey areas of doubt and confusion, but is based upon a solid foundation—the rock that is Jesus Christ.  Christians do not rely on their "own paths of enlightenment", instead looking to the Bible and the Holy Spirit for truth and revelation.  As Martin Lloyd-Jones describes it, Christianity “is to be the acceptance of certain truths, and the working out of a reasoned, logical argument on the basis of those truths.  It is not to be something vague, and general, and intangible, which varies with one’s moods and feelings.” (Why Does God Allow War?)  For Christians, the “spiritual quest” simply means following Jesus Christ and seeking to know him more deeply.  Perhaps the biggest myth in The Da Vinci Code is the misrepresentation of Jesus Christ.

Apparently, Dan Brown believes there are no solid truths—that Christian doctrine is malleable and can be tailored to each person’s desires.  However, he is gravely mistaken; faith is not a continuum.  Christianity does not involve shaky, grey areas of doubt and confusion, but is based upon a solid foundation—the rock that is Jesus Christ.  Christians do not rely on their "own paths of enlightenment", instead looking to the Bible and the Holy Spirit for truth and revelation.  As Martin Lloyd-Jones describes it, Christianity “is to be the acceptance of certain truths, and the working out of a reasoned, logical argument on the basis of those truths.  It is not to be something vague, and general, and intangible, which varies with one’s moods and feelings.” (Why Does God Allow War?)  For Christians, the “spiritual quest” simply means following Jesus Christ and seeking to know him more deeply.  Perhaps the biggest myth in The Da Vinci Code is the misrepresentation of Jesus Christ.

==='''Bibliography'''===

==='''Bibliography'''===