e-zine for May 18, 2006
Is The Da Vinci Code Good for Christianity?

"Legend tells us the Holy Grail is a chalice - a cup. But the Grail's description as a chalice is actually an allegory to protect the true nature of the Holy Grail…The Grail is literally the ancient symbol for womanhood and the Holy Grail represents the sacred feminine and the goddess, which of course has now been lost, virtually eliminated by the Church." ~ excerpt from Dan Brown's, The Da Vinci Code

Dan Brown Walks on Water
By Ian Lawton

Methinks Christians protesteth too much. Liberal Christians thought Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ" was too literal and their protests helped to ensure its success. Now evangelical Christians seem to think Da Vinci Code is too progressive and their protests may help send it to a box office bonanza, despite the poor early reviews. Both seem to be responses of fear. What is the threat? Both movies are just offering a perspective, a valid stall in the marketplace of ideas in which we all trade.

Like all marketplaces, there is no certainty. There is only possibility, which a great place to dwell. There are just theories to excite our imaginations and challenge our prejudices.

Consider the story of Jesus 'walking on water'. In April of this year, Professor Nof of Florida State University suggested an alternate explanation for this well known miracle. He said that cooler temperatures in the Lake Galilee region between 1500 and 2600 years ago could have led to icy conditions. According to his theory, Jesus wasn't walking on water. He was walking on ice. This is impressive, in a David Blane kind of way, but not miraculous.

Nof had another theory 14 years ago that wind and sea conditions could explain the parting of the Red Sea. That's a cool idea. It's nothing more than that, and nothing less than that. We need the evil kineavils of the scholarly world to raise our sights. The barrels they help us jump are more about growing in personal security than increasing our certainty. We cling less to the assurance of a particular theory and enjoy expanding our horizons, knowing that the next new theory is just around the corner.

I care little whether Nof is right, and won't spend much time verifying his theory. He has done me a great favor by releasing just a little of my attachment to the Jesus who walked on water and the supernatural God who parted seas to rescue people. I appreciate those who spend time verifying the facts, and will await their critiques. Having released some of this attachment, I am free to marvel in the sometimes inexplicable patterns of nature. If someone else disproves Nof's theory, then I have the same opportunity. I release my attachment to the need for absolute scientific explanation, and continue to marvel at the power of the human mind to expand and wonder.

This is much the same with the Da Vinci Code. Dan Brown has excited the imaginations of millions of readers. This is Harry Potter for grown ups. I see people, and men in particular, reading the Da Vinci Code everywhere I go. Considering the radical theory Brown is proposing about the sacred feminine in Christianity, this is huge. 'Boy's club' Christianity could be reformed and discover new gender balance even if Mary Magdalene had none of the significance that Brown is suggesting. The story portrays Jesus as having the intention that Mary would take over at the helm of this movement after his death. Mary would manifest the feminine quality of God.

The danger of religion is getting stuck in the tradition. Evangelicals tend to have faith in the historical reliability of the tradition. Liberals tend to have faith in their skepticism about the tradition. Both can so easily miss the opportunity. Tradition is the history of particular groups attempting to make sense of their experience. The tradition points to truths, but is not the truth itself. One such truth that the Christian tradition may point to is non-attachment to certainty. Now there's an opportunity for a fuller and freer life.

In my home town, the Sydney Anglican Church is so afraid of the Da Vinci Code that it is spending $50,000 on advertising in cinemas hoping to outbunk the debunker, Dan Brown. A whole website is devoted to setting people straight on the facts (www.challengingdavinci.com) I went to the Mary Magdalene page. Give me a break! What a yawn! It's not that it wasn't persuasive. It's just that it didn't excite me to any new possibilities. It didn't get to the heart of why it matters for me, whether Jesus was married to Mary or not. I read it and left the page wondering whether the fear of the Da Vinci Code was the fear of being exposed for discriminating against women so overtly and self-righteously. A church that refuses to offer women equal access to its resources and leadership is breaking both the letter and the spirit of civil discrimination legislation, not to mention the spirit of the Holy Grail.

Maybe that's Dan Brown's point. The holy grail is the possibility of no prejudice and loose attachments.

A living tradition doesn't need to be defended. It opens up possibilities for people in all sorts of miraculous ways when it dwells in the present moment and doesn't gets stuck in the absolute certainty of ancient events. The ancient events record a group's attempt to make sense of their experience at another time. This may motivate us to do the same, but doesn't prescribe what sense we will make of our experience.

I will be in line to see the Da Vinci Code, if I can get a ticket. I won't get tied up in knots about its historicity. If it's anything like the book, it will be good entertainment. It will entertain an idea and open my mind. I will watch it, and leave the cinema excited; excited to keep exploring the tradition, excited to expand my mind's horizons. Above all, I hope to be excited by the sacred feminine that is alive within nature, alive between people, and alive beyond my wildest imagination.

Are you going to see the Da Vinci Code? If you do, how will it excite you to live more fully?

Click here for Ian's Bio

6 Ways to Break the Code

There is never just one way to protest. Check out this Time Magazine article that showcases 6 unique attempts at protesting The Da Vinci Code including the attempts by the Anglican Church of Sydney.

"Tom Hanks says his new thriller's plot is 'nonsense,' but that's not quieting protesters, who are slamming The Da Vinci Code as blasphemy for suggesting that Jesus fathered a child. Here are some ways opponents are fighting the film, which premieres this week at the Cannes Film Festival...."

Follow the link below to read the complete article.

Time Magazine Article

The Marvels and Mysteries of The Da Vinci Code

While your interest may have been peeked by topics stirred up by The Da Vinci Code, are you now left wondering where to turn for more study?

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat of the website Spirituality and Practice have compiled a fabulous resource list on the following topics:

I. Sophia or the Divine Feminine

II. Gnosticism and the Battles Surrounding It

III. Jesus and Mary Magdalene

IV. Other Bold Movies Exploring the Themes in The Da Vinci Code

V. Mary Magdalene in a Wild New Novel

Check out this website for this great resource and a review of the movie The Da Vinci Code.

Spirituality and Practice Website

The Reviews are In... Ouch!

Da Vinci Code Movie Poster "Ron Howard's adaptation of Dan Brown's bestseller is punishingly long, dramatically overwrought and fatally short on the thrills we demand from summertime blockbusters."
--Colin Covert, MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE

"...a melodramatic, sometimes lifeless film that is missing the suspense of the popular novel."
--Caludia Puig, USA TODAY

"...Mr. Howard and Mr. Goldsman handle the supposedly provocative material in Mr. Brown's book with kid gloves, settling on an utterly safe set of conclusions with the usual dull sententiousness."
--A.O. Scott, NEW YORK TIMES

The Reviews are in for C3 Productions...and they are Fabulous!"

The Grand Rapids Press gave, 'Resurrected' the pseudo-documentary about the rise and fall of The Verve Pipe by Brad Vander Ark three out of four stars.
"'Resurrected' tells an intensely personal story with humor and some artfully rendered imagery."
-- Grand Rapids Press

"I am very grateful that I am able to witness on my computer what the church of the future will look and act like. I wish Christ Community Church were a bit nearer so I could actually participate in an enlightened community of believers. So, I envy all who can, and thank them for doing so. I will be seeing Bishop Spong next month in Houston, I think it will be the third or fourth time I have seen and heard him. I share your joy in having the chance to talk to this modern day saint."
--Ed Dick, Texas

Easter DVD Package Available For Purchase This Sunday at C3/CCC

Many wonder what do progressives and others who do not necessarily hold a literal belief of a physical bodily resurrection have to celebrate at Easter? If this is a question that stirs in you, you will not want to miss our Easter DVD set, which includes:

Maundy Thursday Highlights on being "Broken Open"
Easter Day insight on death and rebirth
Inspirational Palm Sunday Prayer
Drumming Earth Meditation
Sermon talk-back highlights
Bishop Spong speaking on resurrection
Preview of the highly-acclaimed film "Resurrected" by Brad Vander Ark

To order the Easter DVD

Stay tuned to purchase the "Resurrected" the DVD by Brad Vander Ark.

For Other C3 Productions Shop the C3 Store Today!

Why Does Integral Matter?

Integral Matters is an emerging group that functions independently of Christ Community Church.

Integral Matters is offering an informational evening of conversation, experience, and insight into how integral theory can help you expand your consciousness. The evening will also serve as a fundraiser for C3/CCC.

Wednesday, May 31
7:00-9:00 p.m.
Christ Community Church

Ian Lawton will be speaking on how integral matters to you and how integral theory could be credited with the evolution, growth and survival of C3/CCC through it's transitional period.

Come see how you can integrate your mind, body and spirit.

Suggested donation is $10.

Check Out Our Most Recent Sermon which had Everyone Raving!

Image Did you miss last Sunday's Special Mother's Day Gathering which had everyone talking? Contact Sarah Jane to order a DVD.

What do The Da Vinci Code, Mother's Day, and the Earth have in common and why are they all central to our Progressive religious community?

recent sermon text

What's Upcoming at C3/CCC?

May 21- Religion and Legalism
We will explore the danger of fanaticism when religions attempt to retain the literal letter of the law. The novel "Ella Minnow Pea" by Mark Dunn explores this danger and encourages freedom of belief and thought as we live the spirit of our traditions. Ian Lawton will be speaking.

May 28- The Art of Remembering
This Memorial Day we will honor and remember those lost in this nation’s wars and conflicts; we honor those who are grieving. We take another look at valuing all of life through active and thorough remembering. Bob Kleinheksel will be speaking.

June 4- The Spirit of Diversity
In this gathering we will honor the tradition of Pentecost- remembering the beginnings of the Christian church as a coming together of diverse people in a spirit of freedom and compassion. We will also be celebrating graduation and important transitions for our young people. Ian Lawton will be speaking.

June 11- The God Within: A Progressive Understanding of Trinity, Part 1
In this gathering we will begin a three-week series on the doctrine of the Trinity, and explore a first person experience of God. We encourage each other to live with the humility and responsibility that the God within calls for. Ian Lawton will be speaking.

June 18- The God Between: A Progressive Understanding of Trinity, Part 2
Father's Day is celebrated today as we continue our Trinity series. Rev. Ned Edwards is a retired Presbyterian Minister and also one of the founding members of C3 North, our Frankfort satellite community. Ned is an experienced and articulate speaker who has been exploring progressive christian theology for many years. We welcome Ned and look forward to his presentation on a second person relationship with God.

June 25- The God Beyond: A Progressive Understanding of Trinity, Part 3
The third and final week in this series on Trinity takes us on a journey into mystery. An experience of the God beyond beckons us to dwell in possibility and to revel in the wonder and miracle of life and nature. Ian Lawton will be speaking.

Please consider donating today!

It is very simple to donate to C3/Christ Community Church, through the Network For Good.

The Network For Good is a secure and safe online donations collection center for non-profit organizations. Please consider giving today!

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