5/06/2006

www.thetruthaboutdavinci.com Reaches Youth About Da Vinci
Westminster Theological Seminary Partners with interl’inc to Provide Study and Resource Materials for Teens

PHILADELPHIA, May 5 /Christian Newswire/ -- Westminster Theological Seminary, who hosts a website http://www.thetruthaboutdavinci.com/ countering ‘The Da Vinci Code’ book and film, announced today that it has partnered with interl’inc to create resource materials for teens and college students to engage in the discussion surrounding the upcoming film.

Dr. Peter Lillback, President of Westminster says, “The cultural debate rages on regarding the controversial claims in Dan Brown’s best selling novel ‘The Da Vinci Code,’ but there have not been any materials created to bring youth groups into the conversation – until now.”

While interl’inc ( www.interlinc-online.com ) is primarily known for its use of cutting-edge music to integrate biblical teaching and to highlight scripture, they also understand that today’s youth are media savvy and tend to be at the leading edge of cultural phenomena.

“’The Da Vinci Code’ movie is going to be a huge blockbuster hit, and we are sticking our heads in the sand if we think students are not going to be influenced by it,” explains Allen Weed, President of interl’inc. “We can use this movie as a platform to teach young people about biblical and historical truths, but we also have the responsibility to teach them how to defend their faith in a way that will far outlast the fallout from this one film.”

interl’inc’s Ken McCoy, who co-authored the material with Doug Melder of North Way Christian Community Church in Wexford, PA, explains why it was a logical decision to partner with Westminster to create materials for this specific demographic.

“Teenagers have an intrinsic doubting nature and are especially distrustful of adults and their institutions,” said McCoy, who is also the Founder and President of JumpStart Ministries. “Doubt can be turned into our ally in this endeavor. So when we talked with the leadership at Westminster about their objective to create ‘doubt about doubt,’ we knew there was a natural synergy when talking with teens about the themes of this movie.”

“This is an incredible opportunity to reach out to teenagers, who are completely plugged into what is happening culturally,” observes Dr. William Edgar, Professor of Apologetics at Westminster. “High school through college is traditionally a time when we begin to question what we’ve been taught and are looking for our own answers – answers that may or may not match up with all that we’ve ever known.”

The study-guide, featured in the upcoming issue of interl’inc’s resource magazine Youth Leaders Only (YLO) and also available for download via Westminster’s website www.thetruthaboutdavinci.com, is designed to be used over four sessions and covers the following topics: Doubts About the Church, Doubts About the Bible; Doubts About Jesus; and Confidence About Jesus.

Weed adds, “We have been able to join our teaching style and format with Westminster’s academic, conversational approach and come up with a guide that equips students to understand and know the difference between a debate and an argument.”

Westminster faculty has joined with noted authors, theologians and scholars to provide content for pastors, small group leaders, as well as the average person just wanting to research the facts and come to their own conclusions. Including the study guide for the youth segment makes www.thetruthaboutdavinci.com  one of the most comprehensive response sites with regard to the breadth of resources, all theologically and doctrinally cohesive.

“We are looking at an unprecedented chance to engage in meaningful, life-changing discussions not only in the public square, but more importantly with our own kids and young adults,” says Edgar.

To learn more about Westminster Theological Seminary’s response to ‘The Da Vinci Code,’ download the interl’inc study guide, or access additional resources, visit  www.thetruthaboutdavinci.com.