Peru Update

A team of 16 young people from Inversion has traveled down to Comas, Peru to serve along side a local church in its outreach efforts.  Yesterday we made the jaunts through airports and across latitudinal lines south to our friends home.

After very little sleep, we began our day in worship and prayer with our Peruvian sisters and brothers.  An incredible time together.

Tonight we traveled into Lima for an outreach to young professionals.  Around 1200 came out to hear a lecture I gave entitled "Decoding Da Vinci" - I was able to focus on the trustworthy nature of our New Testament and the divinity of Jesus.  It was blessing to be able to share the gospel and a testimony of the transforming power of God.  After the talk we took questions from the audience for close to an hour.  I was amazed at the desire to know truth and to wrestle with questions about the historical Jesus.  More than anything we all sensed the risen one at work among the people who attended.  For this we offer many thanks.

Tomorrow I preach four services in the morning (a fun Mother's Day message) and then we kick off our Apologetics Conference in the evening.  Dale Fincher of Soulation joins me in the labor tomorrow.  I will speak 11 times in 7 days including two open forums on University Campuses on Thursday May 18.  Kasey, thanks for letting me share the gospel with these students on our anniversary.  Can't wait to celebrate with you upon my return.

Much love to all who are praying for our team

What Should Mom by Paid?

There is a great article on Salary.com about the calling of being a "Stay at Home Mom." In our society Mom's can be berated by those who think it is a disgrace to be home with the kids rather than building the career and making the big bucks. I was really encouraged by the positive tone of the article as well as the interviews with real live stay at home Moms.

Many such as USA Today are making a big deal about the articles salary calculation for Moms - and I would only say they pay calculated is far too low. But as many know, you cannot measure the value of a Mother's example, love, instruction and yes discipline of children.

More than anything both articles indicate that intelligent, professional, trained, and highly competent women are turning to their children rather than trying to be Mom and CEO at the same time. More power to the one trying to do it all. But I am encouraged by our generation's desire for family and home rather than simply "me and money." As a man married to a brilliant, educated, talented woman - who is leading our children at home, I cannot say how I marvel at my wife...So I will go ahead and say it: Kasey, I love you, you are awesome! I can't wait to see all that God will do in and through your life...As a mom, in different jobs, service and callings.

Here is the link to the Salary.com pieceSalary.com™ Careers & Jobs by Location and Category

Interesting Article on Dinosaur Fossils

I found this article on preserved Dinosaur soft tissue to be very interestling. I have always been intrigued by the dinosaurs and this research holds great promise for us learning even more.

LInk - Dinosaur Shocker

(HT - Uncommon Descent)

Not Mr. Brown's Fault

Whether you are a left-wing Christian or a right-wing Christian, I found an article on Fox News' web site to be an insightful encouragement with the issues surrounding the Da Vinci Code book/movie.  I know if you read Jim Wallis, going over to Fox News will be difficult for you, but it is worth your time.  The article is written by Father Jonathan Morris, a young, fit for TV looking priest.  Really, they didn't pick a fat balding guy for the faith interviews dude.

There are a couple of quotes I find wonderful rebukes and invitations to Christian people: 

Dan Brown is capable of passing fiction for fact because Christians don’t know their faith — what and why they believe. That’s not Mr. Brown’s fault.

I could not agree more.  It is sad that many churches intentionally dumb down their teaching, leave out huge chunks of the Christian story, and teach little to no church history at all.  When the followers of Jesus, in whom are the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, distill down the faith in to palatable "how tos" we all lose.  And any sort of teaching tosses us to and fro on the waves of the zeitgeist, the spirit of our age. 

One last quote from the article: 

For Christianity, I predict the net result will be a positive one, despite all the bad intentions of its author. In the hype, Christians will ask themselves what and why we believe. And for this we must not forget to say, “Thank you, Mr. Brown."

I have had more e-mails, questions, phone calls in the last two weeks than the last two years combined.  These are coming from interested, questioning, learning Christians who are asking very basic questions about Christian truth and teaching.  A very good thing indeed.  Yes, many thanks to Mr. Brown.

And I do pray that believers share the real Jesus with real people in our world today as a result of all the Da Vinci Buzz.  I am a bit "Da Vinici Weary" but I am not weary of discussing the New Testament, its four gospels, the person of Jesus, his claims to deity, the reality that his is the unique Savior of all people who place their faith (understanding, assent, trust) in Him.  That song I want to sing long after Da Vinci is a tired rental at the local Blockbuster store.

Here is the Link - 'The Da Vinci Code' A Positive for Christianity

Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World

More information is now up concerning the 2006 Desiring God National Conference.

A new full length promotional trailer is online here.

HT - Theologica

Mary of Magdala

This morning at Fellowship Bible Church in Murfreesboro, TN I had the privilege of speakng about the biblical Mary Magdalene.  With so much confusion, speculation, and outright nonsense being taught today about Mary of Magdala, I was encouraged by the opportunity to share about this great woman of faith.  It has been a rich study looking at one of Jesus' disciples, the first evangelist who brought the good news of the resurrection to the rest of the disciples.  I pray the message might be an encouragement to you as you serve the Jesus who loved, forgave, established and called Mary to himself.  Not to be his wife...but to be her Lord and God.

The MP3 is available for download here. 

Great Little Church History Link

A friend recently referenced this great little site with some fun links to bios from people throughout the history of the Christian movement. Spend some time getting lost in these lives...and see and savor the God they knew and loved.

Link - 131 Christians Everyone Should Know - Christian History

The Missing Gospels

Darrel Bock, research professor of New Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary has a new book coming in August which focuses on early heretical Christian documents being touted today by the media and new school in New Testament scholarship.

Having read some of the work by Bart Ehrman (Lost Christianities) and Elane Pagels (Beyond Belief - The Secret Gospel of Thomas) an evangelical voice in this discussion is a welcomed and needed addition.  For those who are interested the work of these two scholars is reviewed - here and here respectively

The book is titled The Missing Gospels - Unearthing the Truth Behind Alternative Christianities and is forthcoming in August from Nelson publishers.  It is available for pre-order now from many places including Amazon.

In every age there are those who want to redefined "Christianity" to be all manner of paths.  19th century liberal theologians wanted to demythologize Jesus and the gospels.  Now a 21st century school of thought desires to present to us a large buffet of Christianitie"s" based on a smorgasbord of "lost" and "secret" gospels.   If one can call oneself a Christian and worship your inner self as divine, choose your own morality, without any sort of holy and just God to whom we must give an account.   Many will jump at this - and use a scholarly argument to do so.  

Those who believe the Gnostic versions of Christianity in my opinion are sincere people who are following a path.  It is however not the path as seen in the earliest of Christian sources - the New Testament.  Therefore no matter what is said and marshaled in defense of "other Christianities" we should know that these are not Christian views at all.  They are aberrant, discarded heresies that our sisters and brothers left behind in the archaeological dust long ago.

Grab a copy of The Missing Gospels when you can.  Just pre-ordered mine...

Logos 3.0

Logos Bible Software just went to version 3.0.  I have been using Logos since the early-mid 90s and this product keeps getting better and better.  In my mind this is such an aid to study that it is worth every dollar of the investment. 

All the 411 on new features etc. is availabe here: http://www.logos.com/logos3 For all the ESV fans out there, the new Word Study tool is linked to the new ESV-Greek/Hebrew interlinear.

Very sweet.  Mac users, let not your hearts be troubled, there is a version in the works

The Essence of the Code

We just completed a two part series on issues related to the Da Vinic code at our church.  There are two messages and a rather lengthy Question and Answer session.

The Essence of the Code - Who do the people say that I am? Jesus asked his followers this question long ago and it remains ever relevant in our day. In this two part series we look at the cultural moment surrounding the best selling novel and major motion picture The Da Vinci Code. In a time when our culture is asking questions about “Jesus,” God’s people have a great opportunity to enter a dialogue with others around some important questions. What is the truth about the origin of the Bible and the identity of Jesus? Who do you say that he is? Join us as we seek the truth about the greatest man who ever lived.

• The Essence of the Code Part 1 - Audio (MP3) - Video (WMV) - Message Notes (PDF)
  
• The Essence of the Code Part 2 - Audio (MP3) - Video (WMV) - Message Notes (PDF)
• The Essence of the Code...Our Questions - Video (WMV)
  

I pray these might encourage you to extend the gospel of Christ in your world...

Scottish Theologians...

Fun little theological quiz I ran into from my friend Sandy Young

You scored as James Orr. You are James Orr. You are not afraid of Scholarship, but you know that scholarship is not necessarily objective. James Orr 80% Thomas Boston 75% James Denney 60% John Knox 55% Thomas Chalmers 50% Which Scottish Theologian are you? created with QuizFarm.com

I knew a bit about Knox and Chalmers, but the rest I know little about...anyway, it is fun to answer questions about what you believe.

A Worldview from a Monkey

This is a great example of a worldview. A self-referentially incoherent worldview; indeed, nihilism has always cannabilized itself. It cannot be sustained. At least this attempt is a bit funny...or is it?

Check this out - Dance, Monkeys, Dance - then come back...

One interesting feature of this filmstrip is that is plays the rather played out song and dance that "religion" is the source of all wars, then it displays an image of a 20th century war that was related more to atheistic economic theory than religion.  Go figure.  

Additionally, he goes on to say "the monkies have so much potential if they would only apply themselves" - what does that mean?  Potential for what?  For if the worldview of this filmstrip is true...then one monkey way is as good as another - in fact, there is no good, there are just monkies, and we have nothing left to say.  Yet the author seems to have a lot to say...I wonder why that monkey feels compelled to speak?

Screwtape is at work again...

I found this to be an enjoying read. This was my first exposure to this author - a very pleasant surprise.

Link: Eric Metaxas: Essay - Screwtape On The DaVinci Code

The Blog Has Been Slow

It has been tough for me to post with vigor these days - I have been reading, writing, speaking so much that I have been a bit exhausted and left with less to blog from the soul.

I have been studying and reading early church history, the Da Vinci code stuff, and speaking in several different venues.  A two parter here at our church on Sunday mornings on engaging culture and understanding the contemporary buzz about Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Gnostic Gospels and the like.

I hope to get back to some biblical and cultural reflections here on the blog quite soon...

Just recently  Inversion was involved in leading a kids club in downtown Nashville. Expect a fun video of that here soon as well. For all the friends out there - please pray for me as I am in the midst of a full season of life. Great family, little boy coming, a wife to serve and life, many opportunities to share with the world about the living Jesus, inner city work, budgets, plans, NFL camps this summer, a trip to Peru, pre marital counseling, weddings, and a desire to read, pray and be alone a few minutes each day...

Out for now - speaking tonight on "Calling" - should be fun! 

The Da Vinci Code - Updated

 

On May 19, 2006 the movie based upon Dan Brown's fictional work, The Da Vinci Code The trailer for the film contains the following opening:
 

What if the world's greatest works of art held the secret that could change the course of mankind...forever

Such are the lofty claims of this story. An ancient conspiracy, guarded by intrigue and murder, if revealed to the world would change the very fabric of society. Just exactly what could be such a secret? The Christian faith, the belief of billions on planet earth, is based on a well guarded fabrication that is revealed when a man seeks the truth in renaissance artwork and medieval legends. The book has garnered a huge following and the film will no doubt be a blockbuster success. Ron Howard is directing and Tom Hanks plays the lead role. The production values and cinematic excellence will be high and the story very compelling. From the spending some time on the film's web site today, this project is being undertaken with the highest of quality. It will move people. For those uninitiated with the details of history or the debates about the historical Jesus the story of the Da Vinci Code can be confusing. A fictional work passing for history can be a great fog for people in our day. Many actually "learn" more from films today that responsible history. We must serve our neighbors in such a time as this. This film is a fantastic opportunity for those who follow the biblical Jesus, the Jesus of history, to grow in our understanding of our own faith, its roots, and to share the true account of Jesus with those with whom we live, work and play. I see the following benefits to the conversation which will be had around the film's release.

1. First, the film is a great opportunity to help one mature in our understanding of the historical roots of our faith. So many are completely ignorant of biblical history and the circumstances of early Christianity. It is a great time to study these issues greatly.
2. Second, the film will cause “cultural Christians” and young people to struggle with what they believe and why. This will afford great opportunity for crisis and clarification. Which by God's grace can result in deeper commitment to truth. We will need to love and teach in this context.
3. Third, the film will be a great opportunity, in my opinion, for evangelism – sharing about the Biblical Jesus – not the Jesus of the Davinci Code, but the living Jesus who saves sinners.

Our task then in this season, is to prepare to give a reason for the hope that we have (1 Peter 3:15) with gentleness and respect. One mistake many Christians will no doubt make is to be defensive and reactionary to the film; some will perhaps protest. I thought of writing a lengthy engagment with the content of the book, but realized others more qualified have done so. So as we prepare I have the following encouragment for us all:

1. First, read the book - check it out from the Library, buy it used. Read it and read it critically, but realize it is fiction.
2. Read those who understand the fictional aspects and speculations of the book. There are many good books available and several articles on the web. I will list many at the conclusion of this post.
3. If you see the movie talk to your friends and neighbors about the movie. Especially those who do not know the Jesus of the Bible. Don't look to fight, but to clarify, share the gospel of grace.
4. Offer articles to friends (Christian or not) who have questions and are struggling with the content - walk with them in it.

On Church History and the Historical Jesus

• Church History in Plain Language by Bruce L. Shelley - Specifically Chapters 1-16. I think Shelley's book is accessible for laypersons, yet rigorous enough to be a general introduction for all. A must for your library.
• Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?: A Debate Between William Lane Craig and John Dominic Crossan.  Contains the transcript of a debate between scholars as to the identity and nature of Jesus.
• Jesus Under Fire: Modern Scholarship Reinvents the Historical Jesus edited by JP Moreland and Michael Wilkins. Interacts with the radical claims of the Jesus Seminar.
  

Recommended Books on the Da Vinci Code

Concise Treatments

• The Da Vinci Code Cracks - A concise article from Greg Koukl of Stand to Reason.  This is a great first read on the issues surrounding the Da Vinci Code.
  
• The Truth Behnind the Da Vinci Code by Richard Abanes.  This work is quick to read and responds directly to passages in the Da Vinci Code.  Very good little reference for those not initiated to the debates which go on scholarly circles.
• Answers to the Da Vinci Code by Timothy Paul Jones.  This is a long fold out pamphlet which is printed on two sides.  It has a very helpful timeline of the first centuries of the Christian movement.  Very helpful.
  

More In Depth Treatments 

• Breaking the Da Vinci Code by Darrel L. Bock Darrell L. Bock is Research Professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas. He also serves as Professor for Spiritual Development and Culture for the Seminary's Center for Christian Leadership. His special fields of study involve hermeneutics, the use of the Old Testament in the New, Luke-Acts, the historical Jesus, and gospels studies.
• The Gospel Code: Novel Claims About Jesus, Mary Magdalene and Da Vinci Dr. Witherington is Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Asbury Theological Seminary.  He offers a scholarly evangelical voice in the historical Jesus studies and has published over twenty five books.

Recommended Web Site

• Jesus and Da Vinci: Who Was Jesus...Really? This site has several excellent links to articles by a wide range of scholars and authors from an evangelical and a Catholic perspective. The abstracts for the articles will give you an idea of each resource.
• The Truth About Da Vinci - Westminster Seminary has offered an excellent site which describes itself as follows: While this site does engage the culture, it will not be blown about by the winds of opinion and will ultimately become a resource for all spectrums of people desiring to find and know the Truth... not only about "The Da Vinci Code," but more importantly, the Divine Truth.
• Jesus Decoded - A Web Site From the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.  Though the site is from a Roman Catholic point of view, it offers some excellent insight.  The video trailer for their TV Special is a great overview.
  

Why we have families...

One of the most intense blessings, source of relational pain, great joys, deep sorrows, and everything in between is found in our families.  Today you hear much about family values, alternative families, nuclear families, many ways of being a family, God's blueprint for families etc. 

Family is a big deal - I want to put forth a question that all of us should ask more often.  Why?  Why is family a big deal.  Any answer will be like a multifaceted geme stone.  A jewel that can be seen and enjoyed from several angles.  I want to offer a few reasons why family is, and will always be a big deal

• Family is where we are born and nurtured.  Much can be said about the importance of our formative years.  The development of our souls and bodies takes place in a context.  We grow memories, behavioral patterns, mental capacities, social skills, in the incubator which is our youth.  The family environment can be a great blessing or a great burden on our growth.  We pick up wounds, scars, and all sorts of junk in our family.  We never will "get it right" in our families - but can they be a place of grace, blessing, forgiveness, understanding, and healthy growth.  By the goodness of God, this can be true.  Family is a big deal because the family grows people - for good or for ill.
• Families are where we learn to love and forgive.  When you have multiple sinners growing up under a roof, toes will be stepped on and people misunderstood.  Well, to be honest, sometimes we just crush each other.  Family is a place where we learn to say, I forgive you.  A place where we learn to live for someone else.  Where God can begin to slay selfishness in the soul teaching us to give our lives in service.  Family is where we can learn to the truth of the great secrets of the Kingdom of God - that to be first is to be last and to be last is first.  We learn the joy of really seeing and savoring what God desires us to know - it is better to give than to receive.
• Families are where we learn to use our gifts.  Every can contribute something to the mission of a family.  When fathers and mothers see their roles as facilitating a mission under the leadership of Christ, kids as well as the grown folks, can begin to see how their uniqueness, passions, and giftings contribute to a whole.  Parents, we need to high five and chest bump our kids as they serve in their unique design.  They need to have coaches that both affirm, instruct and offer discipline.  Why?  Our families can count for something in the world if we see them as missional formations sent into the world, with the church, to transform lives and culture to the glory of God.
• Finally, and most importantly, the reason family exists at all is so that we might see and savor God himself.  Think about it.  We reproduce sexually, but there are other ways to reproduce.  Think about it.  Other animals come right out into the world and get right into life...people are dependent and need each other for quite a long time.  It seems that God desired human beings to have fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers.  Why?  To help us understand good theology.
  
  
• First - God is our Father, the unique Savior of humanity is a Son, and these relate in intimate communion and fellowship with the Spirit within the eternal Trinity.  A loving, self giving community of persons is our God - our families have a great model to follow.  The Father loves the Son, the Son submits, without being inferior to the Father.  The Spirit is sent forth into the world by Father and Son (no debate please) to bring glory to the Son who makes the Father known.  Selfless service, roles, and beauty...a great model.
  
• Second - the image of God is seen in the world through "male and female" - God the Father is not a man, he is a spiritual being that is reflected in the feminine and the masculine.  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27. Why are there males and females, boys and girls, men and women.  To reflect the image of God.  Why is God called Father and not Mother - because there is something about "Father" that he wants the men to understand...plus, he reveals himself to us as such.  Much more needs to be written here.
  
• Third- The church uses the analogies of family to describe relationships within the people of God.  Who are we as Christians?  We are brothers and sisters in Christ.  We understand the church as a family called out of the world to the Triune God.
• Fourth- the nature of teaching, discipleship and Christian care for others uses the language of family.  Paul uses this language extensively in his first letter to the Thessalonians.

For all the family guys our there - don't let the constant responsibilities weigh on you as undesired burdens.  Rather, see the loads you carry as a beautiful expression of the person of God, in and through your little flock, loving them and nurturing them along the road.

To all the young dudes out there who bear the calling of pastor.  Let us look to Paul's family example as we love the lost, care for the sheep, and lead them in mission.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 (ESV)

¹For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. ²But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. ³For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, ⁴but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. ⁵For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. ⁶Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. ⁷But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. ⁸So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

⁹For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. ¹⁰You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. ¹¹For you know how, like a father with his children, ¹²we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

God Bless the families, the marriages, the husbands, the Dads, the wives, the Moms, and the kids...there is something good going on amidst all the drama we know as family. 

Neo Paganism and Witchcraft

Secret Spells Barbie

In researching some things for an upcoming two part series I am teaching on the Da Vinci Code franchise, I have been reading and listening a bit on about the status of paganism, goddess worship and witchcraft in America today.  

Many have noticed the witch offerings on the rise in pop culture.  From shows like Charmed, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Sabrina the Teenage witch - the message is that it is hip and cool to be young and casting spells. There are web sites for witches, conferences for witches, and sacred gatherings abounding in America.  The Da Vinci Code goes to great lengths to redeem witchcraft and make it something that is wonderful...just misunderstood because of Christian propaganda.

Today, I listened to a report from NPR's radio program All Things Considered. Very interesting to listen to young teenage girls chanting to call forth spirits, worshipping the goddess, and making up religion like a choose your own adventure book.  Even Barbie, in a "secret spells" flavor, makes a cameo in the audio piece.  Link - NPR : New Religion in America

A few thoughts as to why Paganism/Witchcraft is on the rise here and in Europe.  

1. Autonomy: For autonomous western people, it offers a way to be spiritual without having god around.  Pagan deities are at your beck and call and can be aligned to do your will.  Many just don't want a sovereign God who requires something of us.
   
2. Nature: Environmental fears and nature worship.  To love the mother earth is a virture today (heck, I even think Christians ought to care a whole lot more for the world of which God has made us stewards) and to be one with the earth and nature is a big deal.  Folks who are bent towards environmental activism love the earth - so it is not too far of a move to worshipping it.
   
3. Sexuality: We live in a sex crazed society and any way to mix sex and spirituality is going to find traction.  Paganism certainly offers this - a perversion of God's gift of sex.  Many make sex an object of worship or a ritual to be one with the divine, rather than seeing sex as a transcendent pointer to the God who made us and gives loving boundaries for our sexual passions.
4. Stupid: We are just stupid today.  People believe in nebulous, undefined concepts like "energy" (not in an Einstenian sense, but in a transfer to me that groovy positive vibe kind of sense) that can be cast and moved around to folk through spells and incantations.    And in this view it is not that God acts upon and changes people by his Spirit - but someone's hex on you can do the work no problem.  Many actually believe this sort of thing.
5. Deification: It makes people the source of power and control of the world.  As people, we just want to be our own god.  Did someone not once say "You shall be as Gods" - yes, this is the ancient lie to which we return like dogs to our own vomit. 
   

The problem with human beings becoming their own gods is that we are terrible gods.  We are fragile, fallible, and evil and will let ourselves down daily...only searching for the next spell to cast upon our days.  The great truth of the gospel is that God is god, and in his mercy he tells us to quit trying to be the master of our own vessel.  To allow him to forgive us and lead us towards a life that is free.

Paganism was tried and found wanting - long ago.  But as as the book of Ecclesiastes reminds us: There is nothing new under the sun.

It all comes back around again. 

Europe - An Example of Civilization in Decline?

More good news from Europe today from Al Mohler's blog. He has a short piece on marriage in Europe...not good.

LinkMarriage on the Rocks in Europe

Greg Koukl on Da Vinci

I have been reading and researching for a flurry of Da Vinci Code talks I will be giving at our church, at Universities, and for a large conference in Apologetics in Peru.

I had been waiting for Greg Koukl's piece on the Da Vinci code as I find him a clear and helpful author in these type of matters. Once again, Koukl does not disappoint.  He handles the relevant issues without shrouding them too much in the scholarly murk that can accompany such things.  He also gives good points to help us engage real folks about these matters; something we should encourage.

Too often, we are looking for a fight in our apologetic, rather than seeking to love, help, and persuade a friend.  Even worse many engage in imagined debates with "skeptics" by reading books and blogs but never really hanging out with anyone who has questions or who does not share our faith.

Koukl's tone is right on in this. Talk to someone.  Use Wisdom.  Be Knowledgeable.  Have Character.  Engage people, don't just argue with them... 

Here is a link to the current issue of Solid Ground, a great equipping piece surrounding Da Vinci code stuff.

Link - the Da Vinci Code Cracks

The New Yorker on the Gospel of Judas

Aside from its slight dig at inerrancy (and misunderstanding that doctrine) and a humble lean towards the human side of the composition of the gospels of the New Testament, this article is very helpful in understanding of the gospel of Judas and its lack of significance.

I love the closing passage:

Whether one agrees with Jefferson that this man lived, taught, and died, or with St. Paul that he lived and died and was born again, it is hard not to prefer him to the Jesus of the new Gospel, with his stage laughter and significant winks and coded messages. Making Judas more human makes Jesus oddly less so, less a man with a divine and horrible burden than one more know-it-all with a nimbus. As metaphor or truth, we’re sticking with the old story. Give us that old-time religion—but, to borrow a phrase from St. Augustine, maybe not quite yet.

I would only add, the old time religion of the New Testament is the only one that is the Christian tradition. The other odd ball aberrant relgions, be it a mix of NeoPlatonism with the Jesus figure, or a star gazing mystery cult, have all been found wanting. And discarded long ago.

Link - The New Yorker: The Critics: Books

(HT - Tim Dees)