Zambian churches describe Da Vinci Code as affront to Christian faith

The Da Vinci Code is an affront to the Christian faith, three church mother bodies in Zambia have stated, according to Sunday Post.

In a joint statement issued here Saturday, Council of Churches general secretary Rev Japhet Ndhlovu, Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) secretary general Fr Joseph Komakoma and Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) executive director Bishop Paul Mususu said that as Christian churches they will continue to raise their voices and provide spiritual and pastoral guidance to Christians and all people of goodwill.

"We know that there are many issues that Dan Brown got wrong in his book and that his novel wants to pass itself off as a respectable work of history. Nevertheless, we see here also that the entire controversy is an opportunity for us Christians to inform and educate the people around the world regarding Biblical truth," said the statement.

The statement said that the Da Vinci Code could have the effect of encouraging people not interested in the Bible to open it and learn the truth for themselves. The movie has the potential to make young filmgoers disbelieve that Jesus is the Son of God and that the Holy Spirit is not a real entity.

The statement urged Christians in Zambia to stand proud of their faith rather than be overly defensive about the book and the film.

The Da Vinci Code novel has sold over 40 million copies in 44 languages and has attracted worldwide debate.

The Hollywood movie, based on the best-selling Dan Brown novel by the same name, has generated criticism from Christ believers for its premise that Jesus married and fathered children.

Source: Xinhua