Christianity and The DaVinci Code By Katelyn Cannella

What is Christianity? Based on the Old Testament and teachings of Jesus in the New Testament. Based on the Old Testament and teachings of Jesus in the New Testament. Jesus is the savior; the son of God who is one and the same with God. Jesus is the savior; the son of God who is one and the same with God.

Brown claims: “Almost everything our fathers taught us about Christ is false.”

Why don’t Christians believe Brown? The lack of support for his theories The lack of support for his theories The factual information contained in the Scriptures The factual information contained in the Scriptures Their faith in the divinity of Christ Their faith in the divinity of Christ

Minor Details Brown got many small ideas in the novel incorrect. So what would lead a reader to believe he got anything else right? Brown got many small ideas in the novel incorrect. So what would lead a reader to believe he got anything else right? Brown manipulates historical events to present a negative and controversial image of the Church. Brown manipulates historical events to present a negative and controversial image of the Church.

Brown’s Bold Beliefs Roman Emperor Constantine proclaimed Jesus’ divinity and created the New Testament Roman Emperor Constantine proclaimed Jesus’ divinity and created the New Testament Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married and had a daughter together Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married and had a daughter together Leonardo DaVinci left clues to all of this in his artwork Leonardo DaVinci left clues to all of this in his artwork

Gnosticism A diverse set of ideas and doctrines that became popular during the 2 nd and 3 rd centuries A diverse set of ideas and doctrines that became popular during the 2 nd and 3 rd centuries

The Gnostic Gospels Texts that include “secret” poems and myths Texts that include “secret” poems and myths Very different from the New Testament. Very different from the New Testament. Brown uses these to support his theory that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene.

Shortcomings Dated back to at least years after the crucifixion! Dated back to at least years after the crucifixion! The Gospel of Phillip is 2 centuries removed from Jesus’ time. The Gospel of Phillip is 2 centuries removed from Jesus’ time. Nowhere in the Gnostic Gospels does it actually say that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene or that they had a child. Nowhere in the Gnostic Gospels does it actually say that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene or that they had a child.

The Bible: A Reliable Source The Old Testament can be dated back to the 1 st Century! The Old Testament can be dated back to the 1 st Century! The New Testament tells the story of Jesus at the time of Jesus! The New Testament tells the story of Jesus at the time of Jesus!

Lack of Evidence The New Testament is made up of books written by the men closest to Jesus. The New Testament is made up of books written by the men closest to Jesus. Nowhere in the Bible is the idea of Jesus having a wife mentioned. Nowhere in the Bible is the idea of Jesus having a wife mentioned.

Jesus’ Divinity: According to Brown Emperor Constantine decides to unify Rome under Christianity in 325 A.D. Emperor Constantine decides to unify Rome under Christianity in 325 A.D. He calls the Council of Nicaea where it is decided by a “relatively close” vote that Jesus is divine. He calls the Council of Nicaea where it is decided by a “relatively close” vote that Jesus is divine. Constantine creates a new Bible which omitted gospels that referred to Jesus as a human, and not divine. Constantine creates a new Bible which omitted gospels that referred to Jesus as a human, and not divine. THIS VERSION IS INCORRECT!

The Council of Nicaea 318 bishops met to discuss many aspects of the religion. 318 bishops met to discuss many aspects of the religion. They created the Nicene Creed. They created the Nicene Creed. The bishops voted to make Jesus’ divinity an official and universal belief. The bishops voted to make Jesus’ divinity an official and universal belief. Only 2 of 318 bishops refused to sign the Nicene Creed. Only 2 of 318 bishops refused to sign the Nicene Creed.

Jesus Was Divine, Before the Council Met For 2.5 centuries before the Council of Nicaea, the nearly universal opinion was that Christ was divine. For 2.5 centuries before the Council of Nicaea, the nearly universal opinion was that Christ was divine. Constantine could not have rewritten the Scriptures to make Jesus divine. Constantine could not have rewritten the Scriptures to make Jesus divine. Christians would notice the change in doctrine! Christians would notice the change in doctrine! There is no evidence that the content of the New Testament was even discussed at the Council. There is no evidence that the content of the New Testament was even discussed at the Council.

The Last Supper

The “Evidence” To the right of Jesus, what most people believe to be the disciple John is actually Mary Magdalene To the right of Jesus, what most people believe to be the disciple John is actually Mary Magdalene The absence of a chalice on the table The absence of a chalice on the table

The Disciple John If it were Mary Magdalene in the painting, then where is the disciple John? If it were Mary Magdalene in the painting, then where is the disciple John? John clearly looks feminine, but this is consistent with DaVinci’s other illustrations of him. John clearly looks feminine, but this is consistent with DaVinci’s other illustrations of him.

The Chalice The painting doesn’t depict Jesus breaking the bread and sharing the wine. The painting doesn’t depict Jesus breaking the bread and sharing the wine. It captures the moment when Jesus reveals to the disciples that one of them will betray Him. It captures the moment when Jesus reveals to the disciples that one of them will betray Him. If the chalice were present in the painting, it would be misplaced! If the chalice were present in the painting, it would be misplaced!

Captivating Novel AccurateHistoricalAccount