Was Jesus fully human? Was the relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene more than just disciple and Savior? What was the role of women in the earliest Christian movement?
These are just some of the theological questions Rev. John W. Sewell will explore as he talks about the runaway best-seller "The Da Vinci Code" for the next three weekly Wednesday night sessions at St. John's Episcopal Church.
Anyone who has read the book is invited to attend the discussion that will be held in the Parish Hall at 3245 Central. If the crowd is bigger than church officials are expecting, the group will move to a bigger facility within the church.
An avid reader, Sewell, 51, read the book this year and was surprised by the high level of interest the book raised among his parishioners. "I've not had so many people ask me about a novel in 15 years. Young people. Old people. Men and women. It's full of what I call delicious heresies."
For those who haven't read the book yet, the murder mystery thriller is about the search for the Holy Grail, ancient secret societies and clues disguised in Leonardo da Vinci paintings. When the clues are put together, it will unlock secrets that go to the core and meaning of Christianity.
Unlike the Indiana Jones version, the Holy Grail isn't a cup this time. The main character is a professor of religious symbology and iconology.
Sewell quickly added that his three weekly sessions wouldn't be a book review of Dan Brown's novel or a literary plot analysis.
"I am viewing this as a theological conversation, not as lectures and a wonderful teaching tool," he said.
Far from challenging his beliefs, Sewell said, "I believe that it's important that Christians know what they believe and why. These conversations can be a part of that process."
Still, he realizes that not everyone is as firm in their beliefs as he is. "I could see some people could be threatened by the book, that it may shatter their Christian beliefs. I think a lot of people want certainty. The opposite of faith is certainty."
In light of what has happened in the post 9/11 culture, Sewell said many people are questioning their beliefs. "Our Episcopal Church is just in an earthquake of change. Their beliefs are being questioned. It's happening in all the churches," he said. Having a book that brings those questions to light, Sewell added, "This is not a threat. This is an opportunity. We are called to creatively engage the culture and this is what I want to do."
Several of his parishioners can't wait for the Wednesday night sessions to begin. "We have friends from other churches that are planning on coming too," said Dorritte Early, 61, of Memphis. If the crowd is as big as Early thinks it will be, she jokingly predicted, "I think we'll have to rent out the (Mid-South) Coliseum.
"It's very disturbing and just full of heresies, but it's just gripping," said Early. In a stage whisper she added, "You need to read it."
Caroline Whittle, 61, of Memphis wants to know where the historical facts in the book end and where the fiction begins, particularly with the secret societies and the famous people who may have belonged to them. "I think it's great that we're going to tackle this," she said.
For Sewell, the book creates the perfect platform. "I think Dan Brown has done me a favor. He's letting me talk about things that matter."
- Lela Garlington: 529-2349
)
