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The Great Opportunity


There is much discussion about Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, which has
been a bestseller for over a year. Stories abound of persons who have read
the book, believed its contents, and then “trashed” their Christian faith.

But what is really happening?

First, only very weak Christians could possibly be led astray by such a work
of fiction. More realistically, most of the persons that believe Dan Brown
incredulous claims – claims that Jesus was married, had a child, and that
his offspring are hidden away in France to this day – most of the people
that would believe such myths never had a solid faith to begin with.

But there is something much more important that is going on. Dan Brown has
unintentionally given the followers of Christ a spectacular opportunity.
Because of The Da Vinci Code, people are actually asking about the life of
Christ, about His divinity, and about the New Testament. People want to know
if it is true that Jesus was married. They want to know if He was a mere
mortal, as Dan Brown contends. They want to know if the Bible is reliable or
not, whether or not Constantine and others really did destroy the original
“gospels.”

The Church of Jesus Christ has been given this “window” of time to answer
the questions people are asking. All the preachers in America, preaching for
ten years, could not have gotten millions of the unchurched or “rarely
churched” talking about these issues. “Was Jesus really divine? Or only
human?” they ask. “Is it true that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John were not
the original Gospels?” “Were there really some other gospels that were
destroyed?” “How did the Bible really come together?”

For the first time in a long time, people are asking these types of
questions – around the water cooler, during coffee breaks. Thanks to Dan
Brown, this could be the church’s finest moment.

But it will only be our “finest moment” if…if…if the Church is prepared. And
how do we do that? I’m glad you asked.

You are probably aware that Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code discusses Leonardo
Da Vinci’s paintings. But I’ve got good news because The Da Vinci Code not
really about art. In fact, you don’t need to know any art history.

Here are the key things you need to know in order to help people understand
the historical inaccuracies of The Da Vinci Code.

Dan Brown claims that Jesus was not divine, or even perceived to be divine
until the 4th century. You know that His original followers saw Him as being
divine, and most assuredly after the Resurrection.

Dan Brown claims that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John were not the original
Gospels. He believes that somehow the “original” gospels were taken and
destroyed – and in their place someone inserted the four Gospels that appear
in your New Testament. With just a little bit of study, you can refute that.
You really can!

Actually, there are other things that Dan Brown contends and you can
refute – again, with just a little investment of your time. There are at
least 10 books out right now that help you know the truth about The Da Vinci
Code. I co-authored one called Cracking Da Vinci’s Code.[1] Erwin Lutzer,
pastor of Moody Church in Chicago, wrote another one.[2] Darrell Bock of
Dallas Seminary wrote one.[3] Ben Witherington of Asbury Seminary wrote
another.[4] Richard Abanes, an expert on cults, recently released
another.[5]

My point is this: there are tools – good tools – to help you stand for the
truth. Jim Garlow
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Here are some unique occurrences:

Abraham Lincoln, who invented a hydraulic device for lifting
ships over shoals, was the only US president ever granted
a patent.

Australia is the only country that is also a continent.

Baskin Robbins once made ketchup ice cream. This was the
only vegetable flavored ice cream produced.

Bats are the only mammal that can fly. (My dog has
flown on a 747).

Gerald Ford was the only US president not to have been
elected to either the presidency or the vice presidency.

Q is the only letter in the alphabet that does not appear in
the name of any state of the United States.

Teeth are the only parts of the human body that can't repair
themselves. (Technically, only the outer layer of teeth, the enamel
isn't able to repair itself. The two inner layer, dentin and pulp,
do frequently.)
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I expect to pass through life but once. If, therefore, there be any kindness
I can do, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now,
for I shall not pass this way again. - William Penn (Founder of State of Penn.)
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