An interview with Lee Strobel and Garry Poole, the best-selling authors of Experiencing the Passion of Jesus. Their newest resources, Exploring the Da Vinci Code and Discussing the Da Vinci Code offer timely details and discussion questions in user-friendly formats designed to help people separate fact from fiction—and just in time for the May 19 release of the movie.
On April 29-30, Lee Strobel kicked off Willow’s four-week series, Cracking the Da Vinci Code: with a message, “Do the Winners Write History.”

Willow Creek: The Da Vinci Code has broken all publishing records and the movie is certain to be a blockbuster. Why do you think the book and the movie have drawn so much interest?

Lee Strobel: I think it’s a combination of factors. People love conspiracy theories. The book is cleverly written, with lots of cliff-hangers and codes for people to solve. Its emphasis on feminism resonates with women who have felt alienated from some churches.

WC: The Da Vinci Code book is clearly marked as fiction. Why would people read it as though it's fact?

Garry Poole: Dan Brown explicitly claims that much of the book – including the documents and rituals it describes – are historically accurate. He says the Priory of Sion is an actual secret organization that has existed since 1099 – even though this is a claim based on fraudulent documents that were counterfeited by a convicted conman.

Lee: Plus, Brown has said in interviews that he became ‘a believer’ after investigating the claim that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene, even though there’s no historical evidence to back that up.

Garry: Since many people don’t know a lot about ancient history, they think his version of the facts is accurate, even though both secular and Christian historians agree the book’s historical allegations are bogus.

Lee: By cleverly mixing a small bit of fact with a large dose of fiction, Brown has succeeded in creating spiritual confusion in a lot of people.

WC: You've written books and created a DVD to address The Da Vinci Code. What's the format and purpose of the products?

Lee: Exploring the Da Vinci Code is an inexpensive paperback that follows Garry Poole and me to Europe in order to personally investigate the claims of Dan Brown’s book. We interview experts who debunk the allegations of The Da Vinci Code and include a section of Frequently Asked Questions. I’ve been giving away the book to all sorts of people I encounter – waiters, airplane passengers, anyone who is captivated by The Da Vinci Code.

Garry: Discussing the Da Vinci Code is a DVD-driven small-group kit. Christians can go through the four-week study and, if they want, invite their seeking friends to join them. The producer, T.J. Rathbun, did a great job in creating the DVD – it follows us investigating key Da Vinci Code sites in England and France as well as conducting interviews with four scholars. You don’t need any prior experience to lead a group like this; just show the DVD and follow the Participant’s Guide and you’ll end up sharing an exciting adventure of discovery together.

Lee: One last resource is my new web site, www.LeeStrobel.com, It’s totally free and we’ve loaded 100 video clips, including dozens that directly answer questions raised by The Da Vinci Code. Eventually, the site will have a thousand clips. There’s a search engine to help you find what you’re looking for. You can watch and listen to experts deal with Dan Brown’s claims, as well as other challenges to Christianity.
My prediction is that because Brown has been so successful in attacking Christian beliefs, there’s going to be a proliferation of similar books in the next couple of years. In fact, we’re already seeing it happen.

Garry: Speaking of Lee’s website, another thing people can do is sign up for Lee’s free monthly e-newsletter, “Investigating Faith,” where he will check out challenges as they arise in the culture.

Lee: In the newsletter, we’ve recently dealt with The Da Vinci Code, the Gospel of Judas, and the bestseller The Jesus Papers. First Peter 3:15 says we always need to be prepared to defend our faith – so I hope my newsletter is one of many resources that can be a tool to help people stay prepared in an ongoing way.

WC: Many Christians refuse to spend a dime to see the movie (or purchase the book). Can you comment on that?

Garry: I can understand that sentiment. It’s tough to think about rewarding publishers and motion picture companies for producing anti-Christian material, but the bigger concern is reaching seeking friends with the true message of Jesus. Since many of my non-Christian friends have read the book or will see the movie, I feel I need to do the same in order to have credibility when I talk with them. That’s more important to me than sending a message to Hollywood.

Lee: I was angry and indignant when I read the book’s allegations that Christianity is based on fraud and deceit. But I know that as soon as I try talking with anyone about the movie, the first thing they’ll ask is, “Did you see it?” If I haven’t, then they will immediately dismiss me as a know-nothing Christian who condemns things he doesn’t understand. I want to have the necessary credibility in order to engage them in a meaningful conversation about Christ. I’d encourage other Christians to pray about their own situation and ask for God’s guidance in how to handle this issue for themselves. But more than anything, I want to participate as God takes what has caused so much ill and turns it into good.

WC: You look at four fundamental and controversial questions raised by the book and the movie:
What Can History Really Tell Us?
Can We Trust the Four Gospels?
What's the Role of Women in Christianity?
Is Jesus Really the Son of God?

What does The Da Vinci Code tell us about each of these?

Lee: The Da Vinci Code essentially tells us that:

==> We can’t trust what we’ve been taught about ancient history.

==> The four Gospels in the New Testament aren’t reliable.

==> Christianity systematically suppresses women.

==> Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene, they had a child named Sarah, and their bloodline continues to this day.

==> Jesus was never considered to be the Son of God until He was deified by the Roman Emperor Constantine in the fourth century for Constantine’s own nefarious purposes.

None of these allegations can withstand scrutiny. Each one of them crumbles when they’re thoroughly investigated.

WC: You interviewed several experts in compiling your research. What did you learn from them?

Lee: We interviewed four scholars who presented compelling evidence that disproves the allegations set forth in The Da Vinci Code. And, frankly, this wasn’t a close call! It’s not as if scholars are closely divided over these issues. Dan Brown’s claims are so radically wrong that there’s virtually no serious scholar on the planet who would support them.

WC: Why is it important for Christians to understand what in The Da Vinci Code is fact and what is fiction?

Lee: Brown has succeeded in confusing too many people about where fact leaves off and fantasy begins. Some Christians have had their faith shaken; some seekers have stopped considering the claims of Jesus. We need to help them understand that history is the friend of Christianity.
Ours is a historical religion that makes claims that can be investigated. For instance, the question of whether Jesus rose from the dead (ultimately authenticating of His claim to being the Son of God) is an issue that we can investigate from a historical perspective. Does the historical evidence support or refute this centerpiece of our faith? It was my pursuit of answers to questions like this that ultimately led me from atheism to Christianity.

Garry: Christianity has nothing to fear from The Da Vinci Code. Dan Brown offers nothing but flimsy allegations that lack merit. That’s why we put these resources together – to help build up the faith of Christians who have developed doubts and to point spiritual seekers toward the truth about Christ.

WC: Any suggestions for those who might want to use this as a way to begin a dialogue with a Seeker?

Garry: Ask people if they have seen the movie or read the book. If they have, ask them whether it changed their view of Jesus and, if so, how? This will help assess whether they realize the story is bunk or whether they might have bought into its claims. Don’t make this a monologue in which you preach at someone. Instead, ask their opinions. We earn the right to talk about what we believe after we have sincerely listened and considered what they have to say.

Lee: Also, point them toward places where they can dig deeper into the issues raised by the movie. Put a copy of Exploring the Da Vinci Code into their hands. Invite them to go through the Discussing the Da Vinci Code curriculum with you.
But, the over-arching goal is to help them meet the real Jesus. After all, people’s eternities are at stake.