The Da Vinci Code, one of the most controversial and best selling novels of the recent past, is going to become a Hollywood blockbuster. It stars Tom Hanks and Ian McKellen (and a perhaps member of our congregation features too – but that’s another story). In the book, which has become a cult in itself, the author, Dan Brown suggests that the whole basis of Christianity is concocted. The Church in 325 AD decided that Jesus should be depicted as divine and that the Gospels should be spiced up. Other Gospels should be removed from the Bible and hidden.
Brown suggests that before 325 AD, Christians believed that “Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophet... a great and powerful man, but a man nonetheless. A Council meeting in Nicaea took the decision to do a PR makeover and start to depict Jesus as the Son of God.
Dan Brown’s book also says that Jesus:
was married to Mary Magdelene
had children
and his descendants became Kings of France
Read the Da Vinci code because it is a gripping thriller: then use it to challenge yourself. Ask yourself-
So how do we know that Jesus is really God, rather than just a prophet, guru, wise man?
Did Jesus actually claim he was the Son of God, or did the Church invent the story?
Why do we believe in the Trinity and what difference does it make today?
And if you have any doubts – read Nicky Gumbel’s little book “The Da Vinci Code – a response” for a point by point demolition of Dan Brown’s fantasy. We all love a mystery – but in this case, there is no mystery - Dan Brown has built on another book “the Holy Blood and the Holy Grail” to create what is, admittedly, a rather entertaining piece of nonsense.
Isn’t it funny how Christ can still cause controversy and front page news – last year “The Da Vinci Code” – this year “the Gospel of Judas”?
Steve Thorpe