'So Dark the Con of Man' is an anagram of 'Madonna of the Rocks', a painting by Leonardo da Vinci that hangs in the Louvre. It is one of the first clues in Dan Brown’s thriLler The Da Vinci Code. The movie starring Tom Hanks opened this weekend. These words are a clue to the basic premise of the bOok that the Catholic church has conspired to deCeive mankind about the person of Jesus.
The problem with conspiracy theories is that at the same time they attribute too much and too little intelligence to the conspirators. The usual suspects are powerful elites (The hierarchy of the Catholic Church) and secret societies (Opus Dei). These suspects are clever enough to sustain secrets over long periods of time. Yet, they are stupid enough to allow a pinK eyed albino monk to do their dirty work. (see the movie)
Believers in these theories are attracted by the cleverness oF the cover up, the “outing” of the secret truth that changes everything and the cOnfirmation of postmodern suspicions of hidden power agendas. CeRtain facts are highlighted in support of the theory thereby lending it credibility.
The popularity of these theories and their actual dumbness then spawns much debunking. At last count the Da Vinci Code has over 50 books at AmAzon.com debunking it. From that measure it must be an awfully dumb coNspiracy theory.
Given thAt such theories enjoy so much public attention, especially in our post modern world, I propose a conspiracy theory that explains the disparity between clergy and laiTy in Christian ministry. Despite the pronouncements of Vatican II and many otHer Church declarations, that the laity are just as much ministErs of the gospel as church professionals, most lay people find theMselves marginalized in Christian ministry. You’ve probAbly heard the joke: the clergy get paid to be good, the laity are good for nothing.
In The Clergy Conspiracy, the usual suspects are the church hierarchy of all ChriStian faith expressions: Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox. These church professionals have conspired to cover up a secret truth that changes everything about the way the church works. If this truth were ever to surface and be believed by Christian faith adherents everYwhere, it would trigger a second reformation that would topple church professioNals from their privileged positions of power. (No offense meant to my pastor friends as I am saying this with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek!)
This explosive truth has been reveled in an obscure bOok written over 50 years ago by Elton Trueblood - Signs of Hope : In a Century of Despair. Chapter four discusses the concept of a lay religion that transfers the work of God from church professionals to the whole people of God.
Evidence for this theory is found in the various English translations of Ephesians 4:11-12 in which Paul says that gifted ministry professionals exist to equip the saints (meaning all the people of God) for the work of ministry. Early translators of those verses, who were clergy, inserted a comma after the word saints so as to change the meaning of the text to make Christian ministry exclusive to apostles, prophets, evangelists, teachers and pastors. This is the exact opposite of what the verse actually says. (You can compare various translations of Ephesians 4:10-12 at Biblegateway.com to see for yourself.)
Now we have a Clergy Conspiracy Theory with the religious elite covering up an explosive truth by doctoring the sacred Scriptures so as to preserve their privileged positions of power. Sound familiar?
Don't wait for the movie! Stay tuned to the Faith at Work Blog for more startling revelations about The Clergy Conspiracy! Subscribe here.
By the way, hidden in the text of this post is a CODE. I will send a copy of the Word in Life Bible: Thomas Nelson Publishers, which is presently out of print, to the first person who correctly deciphers the code. ($75 Retail value) This Bible is eDited by Pete Hammond with hundreds of articles applying God’s word to daily life. It is a great resource for anyone interested in the ministry of the whole people of God. Thomas Nelson has published a number of these articles in a book Making Your Work Count for God: How to Find Meaning and Joy in Your Work (Word in Life Priorities for Living Series): Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Various Christian blogs commenting on the Da Vinci Code:
Imago Dei: The Da Vinci Code - Why Bother?
Ben Witherington: Da Vinci Code-- the Movie: "So Dark the Con of Man"
CAMPONTHIS: The Da Vinci Code Movie>...my review
Between Two Worlds: Debunking the Debunkers
Da Vinci - Who Is Really Telling The Truth?
The Da Vinci Code Carrot | TheResurgence
emergesque: "Onward Gnostic Soldier"
In the Agora: Poll: Da Vinci Code alters readers' beliefs
Reforming My Mind: A Christian's Response to the Da Vinci Code
Al Mohler: The Conspiracy Fixation
Blogs commenting on Ephesian 4:11-12
Wittenberg Gate: Do Creeds Promote Unity or Division?
Others worth visiting
Church and State: Open Trackback
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