The Da Vinci Code vs. The Evidence Andrew Agerbak 1 October 2006

1. The Da Vinci Code vs. The EvidenceAndrew Agerbak1 October 2006

2. What is The Da Vinci Code? • A 2003 fictional thriller by Dan Brown • Murder-mystery combined with conspiracy theory • His fourth book, and a sequel to his third, ‘Angels and Demons’ • Shares the same central character, Robert Langdon, a Harvard Professor of Symbology • Outstanding commercial success • Over 60 million copies in print(1) • Translated into 44 languages • Recently adapted into a Hollywood film starring Tom Hanks • $754m global takings(2) • Source: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Da_Vinci_Code, as of May 2006 • Source: Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Da_Vinci_Code_%28film%29, Screen Select: http://www.screenselect.co.uk/visitor/editorial.html?editorial_id=2034

3. Why All The Fuss? • Controversial claims • Jesus married Mary Magdalene • They had a daughter, Sarah, whose descendants are alive today • A secret society, The Priory of Sion, has protected Mary’s descendants with the intention of revealing “the truth” at a suitable moment in history • The truth about their existence was suppressed by the established church through the centuries • The historical record, including the Bible, has been distorted to hide “the real truth” • Strong reaction from critics • Religious groups – objecting to the claims about Christianity • Critics – objecting to sloppy research and poor writing • Good public relations • “The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about” (Oscar Wilde) • “There’s no such thing as bad publicity, except your own obituary” (Brendan Behan)

4. But It’s Just a Novel! • The book’s opening page, entitled “Fact”, includes the following claim: • “All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents and secret rituals in this novel are accurate” • Many of the book’s statements on biblical topics are made by characters presented as ‘experts’ in the field • For those who are not well informed about Christianity, this may be the best source they have! • What’s your primary reference point for historical information about the Titanic, Pearl Harbour, or the assassination of JFK? • For most of us it’s the films we’ve seen! • Most people haven’t any better source, and they’re far more likely to have read the Da Vinci Code (or seen the film) than have read the Bible It’s good to remember that it’s fiction... ...but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t influence our thinking about Christianity!

5. Some Of Da Vinci Code’s Claims Are Supported By The Evidence • The established church oppressed those who taught different teachings • The persecuted became the persecutor • Roman Emperor Constantine intervened inappropriately in debates over Christian doctrine, hoping that Christianity would help unify the Roman empire • Presided at council of Nicea in AD 325 • Not particularly spiritual, was only baptised late in life • Mary Magdalene is not called a prostitute in the Bible • Pope Gregory said she was in the 6th Century (revoked by Vatican in 1960s) • The established church discriminated against the role of women • There are many writings outside of the recognised 66 canonical books of the Bible

6. But Many Claims are Wrong or Very Misleading (i) • http://www.bible.ca/b-canon-criteria-of-apostolic-fathers.htm (2) From 1 Clement – a book widely read by early Christians, but ultimately rejected from the canon

7. But Many Claims are Wrong or Very Misleading (ii)

8. But Many Claims are Wrong or Very Misleading (iii) • Karen King, professor at Harvard Divinity School, as quoted in “The Da Vinci Code – Shaking the foundations of Christianity?” • http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/gospelphilip.html • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priory_of_Sion

9. But Many Claims are Wrong or Very Misleading (iv)

10. Some of the Claims Shouldn’t Worry Us Even If They Were True • Does Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” portray Mary Magdalene instead of John? • No question that the figure has various feminine characteristics • Critics divided about what this ‘means’ • But should a painting by a great artist living 1,500 years after the life of Jesus have any authority in shaping our views about Jesus?

11. How Should We Treat the Da Vinci Code? • Come to your own convictions on the basis of the evidence • My personal view: welcome the opportunity to talk about the Bible and Jesus! • Be confident, not insecure or defensive • Be well informed: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have...” – 1Peter 3:15 • Read the Bible 2Timothy 2:15 • Read the apocrypha and pseudipigrepha (e.g. Gospel of Thomas – 113 ‘sayings of Jesus’ – not a tough read!) • Read The Da Vinci code! Just keep your brain engaged... • Be gracious • “But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander” 1Pe 3:15

12. Some Concluding Words Of Wisdom(From Two Different Sources) Da Vinci Da Bible • “Blinding ignorance does mislead us. Oh! Wretched mortals, open your eyes” • “Many have made a trade of delusions... deceiving the stupid multitude” Leonardo Da Vinci(1) • “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge” Hosea 4:6 • “They perish because they refused to love the truth” 2Thess 2:10 Let’s be lovers of the truth! • As quoted in The Da Vinci Code, p312

13. For Further Reading • “The Da Vinci Code – Confronting the Fraud” (2 audio CD set) – Douglas Jacoby, available at www.ipibooks.com • “Truth and Fiction in The Da Vinci Code” – Bart D Ehrman, Oxford University Press, 2004, 190pp • “Mona Lisa’s Smirk” – Y Jesus Magazine http://www.y-zine.com/mona_lisapdf.htm • Colourful & readable 10 page magazine article • “Witness Statement of Dan Brown” from libel trial vs Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh, authors of “The Holy Blood & The Holy Grail” http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,923-2085827_1,00.html • Dan Brown discusses how he goes about researching and writing his books • Early Christian Writings: www.earlychristianwritings.com • Text, dating and background info on documents from early church fathers, apocryphal sources and the New Testament scriptures

14. Appendix

15. Questions for Discussion • Would it matter if Jesus were married? • What it matter if Jesus had children? • Would you expect there to more original biblical documents or more apocryphal ones? • What would be the implications if another letter of Paul or Peter were discovered?

16. Other Factual Errors in The Da Vinci Code

17. Early Christian References to ExtraBiblical ‘Gospels’ and the Four Canonical Gospels • “I know a certain gospel which is called ‘The Gospel according to Thomas’ and a ‘Gospel according to Matthias’ and many others have we read – lest we should in any way be considered ignorant because of those who imagine they possess some knowledge if they are acquainted with these. Nevertheless, among all these we have approved solely what the church has recognized, which is that only four gospels should be accepted” • Origen (203-250AD) • “For as there are four quarters of the world ... the Word ... has given us the gospel in fourfold form, but held together by one Spirit” • Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, ‘Against Heresies III’ (~180AD)