A Christian Response to “The DaVinci Code” Forest Hills Bible Chapel 21 May 2006

What is “The DaVinci Code”? “The DaVinci Code” is a novel, written in 2003, by Dan Brown. “The DaVinci Code” is a novel, written in 2003, by Dan Brown. Through some of its characters, it prevents some very controversial assertions about Jesus Christ and Christianity. Through some of its characters, it prevents some very controversial assertions about Jesus Christ and Christianity. Though the novel, and movie, are described as “fiction,” the author clearly asserts some very specific beliefs he holds regarding the historicity of Christianity. Though the novel, and movie, are described as “fiction,” the author clearly asserts some very specific beliefs he holds regarding the historicity of Christianity.

What is “The DaVinci Code”? It is a murder mystery, of the “thriller” sort. It is a murder mystery, of the “thriller” sort. It contains 454 pages in 105 chapters, and is very much a “page turner” It contains 454 pages in 105 chapters, and is very much a “page turner” Its author claims that it is an historical novel, with a fictional plot and fictional characters. Its author claims that it is an historical novel, with a fictional plot and fictional characters. Consider the claims the novel makes: Consider the claims the novel makes:

What is “The DaVinci Code”? “All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate.” – Dan Brown. “All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate.” – Dan Brown. The novel claims that orthodox Christianity is a hoax; “the greatest cover up in human history.” The novel claims that orthodox Christianity is a hoax; “the greatest cover up in human history.”

Characters in “The DaVinci Code” Victim: Jacques Sauniere, Curator of the Louvre Museum in Paris, and (secretly) the Grand Master of the Priory of Sion. Victim: Jacques Sauniere, Curator of the Louvre Museum in Paris, and (secretly) the Grand Master of the Priory of Sion.

Characters in “The DaVinci Code” Murderer: Silas, a large albino monk, associated with the allegedly secretive Opus Dei, an order of the Roman Catholic Church. Murderer: Silas, a large albino monk, associated with the allegedly secretive Opus Dei, an order of the Roman Catholic Church.

Characters in “The DaVinci Code” “The Teacher” – the master plotter of the novel; his identity is kept secret until near the end of the novel. It is Silas, the albino monk, who does his bidding. “The Teacher” – the master plotter of the novel; his identity is kept secret until near the end of the novel. It is Silas, the albino monk, who does his bidding.

Characters in “The DaVinci Code” Robert Langdon, professor of symbology at Harvard University – the “hero.” Robert Langdon, professor of symbology at Harvard University – the “hero.” Sophie Neuveu, cryptographer for the French Judicial Police; granddaughter of the victim. Sophie Neuveu, cryptographer for the French Judicial Police; granddaughter of the victim.

The Murder Scene Sauniere has been found dead – murdered in the Louvre museum. Strangely, his dead body is posed in a manner that resembles DaVinci’s “Vitruvian Man”

The Plot of the Novel/Movie In the few minutes between being shot and dying, Sauinere leaves several cryptic clues about the reasons for his murder. In the few minutes between being shot and dying, Sauinere leaves several cryptic clues about the reasons for his murder. The police inspector believes that Robert Langdon has committed the murder, but as the police prepare to arrest Langdon, Sophie manages to spirit him away. The police inspector believes that Robert Langdon has committed the murder, but as the police prepare to arrest Langdon, Sophie manages to spirit him away. They decipher clues her grandfather has left behind. These clues involve a secret group which guards a devastating secret about the Church. They decipher clues her grandfather has left behind. These clues involve a secret group which guards a devastating secret about the Church.

The Plot of the Novel/Movie The rest of the book is a combination of their flight from the French police (and from Silas the murderer), while simultaneously seeking to locate and decipher the clues Saunière has left behind to direct them to …the Holy Grail! The rest of the book is a combination of their flight from the French police (and from Silas the murderer), while simultaneously seeking to locate and decipher the clues Saunière has left behind to direct them to …the Holy Grail! In the course of their flight, Sophie and Langdon travel to several places in France, then to London, and finally to Scotland. In the course of their flight, Sophie and Langdon travel to several places in France, then to London, and finally to Scotland.

Sir Leigh Teabing They seek out Leigh Teabing, ex-British Royal Historian, who lives in a chateau outside Paris. They seek out Leigh Teabing, ex-British Royal Historian, who lives in a chateau outside Paris. Teabing is one of the world’s experts on the Holy Grail and the Priory of Sion. Teabing is one of the world’s experts on the Holy Grail and the Priory of Sion.

Sir Leigh Teabing Teabing fills them in on the secret of the Holy Grail. Teabing fills them in on the secret of the Holy Grail.

The “Secret” of the Holy Grail Jesus Christ was a mere mortal man – the idea that he was Divine was not believed or taught until the time of Constantine, Emperor of Rome – ca. A.D Jesus Christ was a mere mortal man – the idea that he was Divine was not believed or taught until the time of Constantine, Emperor of Rome – ca. A.D At the Council of Nicea in A.D. 325, Constantine commissioned a “new Bible” which promoted Jesus as divine – destroying all those earlier documents which showed Jesus as a mere human. At the Council of Nicea in A.D. 325, Constantine commissioned a “new Bible” which promoted Jesus as divine – destroying all those earlier documents which showed Jesus as a mere human.

The “Secret” of the Holy Grail The purpose for “rewriting” the Bible was to consolidate and solidify the Church’s power base. The purpose for “rewriting” the Bible was to consolidate and solidify the Church’s power base. In DaVinci’s “Last Supper” he tells us, not what the Holy Grail is….but who the Holy Grail is. In DaVinci’s “Last Supper” he tells us, not what the Holy Grail is….but who the Holy Grail is. The Holy Grail…is a woman: Mary Magdalene, whose womb bore the seed of Jesus Christ! The Holy Grail…is a woman: Mary Magdalene, whose womb bore the seed of Jesus Christ!

The Last Supper

A Christian Response The DaVinci Code is an interesting combination of very engaging, suspenseful prose (my opinion), containing year old heresy! It is at one and the same time both very fascinating…and tirelessly boring (again, my opinion)! The DaVinci Code is an interesting combination of very engaging, suspenseful prose (my opinion), containing year old heresy! It is at one and the same time both very fascinating…and tirelessly boring (again, my opinion)! The reliability, and the historicity, of the New Testament gospels and epistles have long been affirmed, and are historically defensible. The reliability, and the historicity, of the New Testament gospels and epistles have long been affirmed, and are historically defensible.

A Christian Response While the first complete list of 27 New Testament books is found in the Athanasian Canon (A.D. 327), numerous books of the NT were revered, and considered inspired, as early as the first century A.D. While the first complete list of 27 New Testament books is found in the Athanasian Canon (A.D. 327), numerous books of the NT were revered, and considered inspired, as early as the first century A.D. See, for example, 2 Peter 3:14-16, where Peter considers the letters of Paul to be equal to “the other Scriptures.” See, for example, 2 Peter 3:14-16, where Peter considers the letters of Paul to be equal to “the other Scriptures.” Evidence of Tradition by David Theron. Evidence of Tradition by David Theron.

A Christian Response There is no reliable biblical or extra-biblical evidence that Jesus was married. There is no reliable biblical or extra-biblical evidence that Jesus was married. 1 Corinthians 9:5 – “Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?” 1 Corinthians 9:5 – “Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?” The NT Gospels were written within one generation of Jesus; the apocryphal “gospels” were written years after Jesus. The NT Gospels were written within one generation of Jesus; the apocryphal “gospels” were written years after Jesus.

A Christian Response While Mary Magdalene was an important person in the Gospel accounts, there is no biblical text which associates Mary with either Jesus, or any other man. While Mary Magdalene was an important person in the Gospel accounts, there is no biblical text which associates Mary with either Jesus, or any other man. Many theologians, years before Constantine, affirmed the deity of Jesus Christ. Many theologians, years before Constantine, affirmed the deity of Jesus Christ.

A Christian Response Ignatius of Antioch (d. A.D. 117) – the Ephesian Christians are “…united and elect in a true passion, by the will of the Father and of Jesus Christ our God" Ignatius of Antioch (d. A.D. 117) – the Ephesian Christians are “…united and elect in a true passion, by the will of the Father and of Jesus Christ our God" Polycarp of Smyrna (d. A.D. 155) – He blesses those “…who shall believe on our Lord and God Jesus Christ and on His Father that raised Him from the dead.” Polycarp of Smyrna (d. A.D. 155) – He blesses those “…who shall believe on our Lord and God Jesus Christ and on His Father that raised Him from the dead.”

A Christian Response Justin Martyr (d. A.D. 165) – “…the Father of the universe has a Son, who--since He is the First-Begotten Logos of God--is true Deity“ Justin Martyr (d. A.D. 165) – “…the Father of the universe has a Son, who--since He is the First-Begotten Logos of God--is true Deity“ Irenaeus (d. A.D. 203) – Christians believe "... in one Christ Jesus, our Lord, the Son of God, was incarnate for our salvation... that to Christ Jesus, our Lord and God and Savior and King, every knee should bow. Irenaeus (d. A.D. 203) – Christians believe "... in one Christ Jesus, our Lord, the Son of God, was incarnate for our salvation... that to Christ Jesus, our Lord and God and Savior and King, every knee should bow.

Some Final Thoughts There is a war between Truth and Error; Light and Darkness. This war has been going on since the Fall, and it continues today. There is a war between Truth and Error; Light and Darkness. This war has been going on since the Fall, and it continues today. We must defend ourselves against false doctrine and error, while also reaching out and showing the love of Christ to all those around us. We must defend ourselves against false doctrine and error, while also reaching out and showing the love of Christ to all those around us.

Some Final Thoughts Our faith is reasonable, historically defensible, and can be proven based on a proper presentation the biblical, historical evidence. Our faith is reasonable, historically defensible, and can be proven based on a proper presentation the biblical, historical evidence. When we confront doubt (either in ourselves, or in others), our response should be positive, encouraging, and should stress the clear truth of God’s revelation. When we confront doubt (either in ourselves, or in others), our response should be positive, encouraging, and should stress the clear truth of God’s revelation. Christianity is a subjective faith based on objective, historical criteria. “He lives!” Christianity is a subjective faith based on objective, historical criteria. “He lives!”

Some Final Thoughts Conspiracy theories by definition cannot be disproved, and often collapse under their own weight. Conspiracy theories by definition cannot be disproved, and often collapse under their own weight. As Christians, let us not respond to phenomena such as The DaVinci Code with protests, picketing, and boycotts, because these simply don’t work. As Christians, let us not respond to phenomena such as The DaVinci Code with protests, picketing, and boycotts, because these simply don’t work. For example, For example,

Two Final Thoughts Two Final Thoughts “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” - Ephesians 5:15-16 “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” - Ephesians 5:15-16 Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. – 1 Peter 3:15b Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. – 1 Peter 3:15b