Debunking Debunking The Da Vinci CodeThe Da Vinci Code

Debunk: (Informal). To expose the Debunk: (Informal). To expose the

pretensions or falseness of. pretensions or falseness of.

(Collins English Dictionary)(Collins English Dictionary)

““It’s Just a Story”It’s Just a Story”

““People should enjoy the film and the book People should enjoy the film and the book for what they both are - entertaining for what they both are - entertaining escapism. Getting pretentious about it is so escapism. Getting pretentious about it is so pointless and false - and annoying!”pointless and false - and annoying!”

““It’s Just a Story”It’s Just a Story”

• It claims to be based on fact.It claims to be based on fact.

Fact: “The Priory of Sion – a European Fact: “The Priory of Sion – a European secret society founded in 1099 – is a secret society founded in 1099 – is a real organization… All descriptions of real organization… All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents and artwork, architecture, documents and secret rituals in this novel are secret rituals in this novel are accurate.” accurate.” (Da Vinci Code, page 1)(Da Vinci Code, page 1)

““It’s Just a Story”It’s Just a Story”

• It claims to be based on factIt claims to be based on fact

• It is falsely rewriting historyIt is falsely rewriting history

• It is distorting the truth about the most It is distorting the truth about the most important person who has ever livedimportant person who has ever lived

• It is immensely popular and influentialIt is immensely popular and influential

A. Constantine’s ConspiracyA. Constantine’s Conspiracy““Almost everything our fathers taught us about Christ Almost everything our fathers taught us about Christ was false.”was false.” (page 318)(page 318)

““Constantine was a very good businessman. He Constantine was a very good businessman. He could see that Christianity was on the rise, and he could see that Christianity was on the rise, and he simply backed the winning horse… he created a kind simply backed the winning horse… he created a kind of hybrid religion that was acceptable to both sides.” of hybrid religion that was acceptable to both sides.” (page 314)(page 314)

1. He “made” the ordinary man Jesus 1. He “made” the ordinary man Jesus of Nazareth into the Son of Godof Nazareth into the Son of God

““Until that moment in history, Jesus was viewed by Until that moment in history, Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophet… a great and his followers as a mortal prophet… a great and powerful man, but a man nonetheless. A mortal.” powerful man, but a man nonetheless. A mortal.” (page 315)(page 315)

““Jesus’ establishment as ‘the Son of God’ was Jesus’ establishment as ‘the Son of God’ was officially proposed and voted on by the Council of officially proposed and voted on by the Council of Nicaea… A relatively close vote at that.” Nicaea… A relatively close vote at that.” (page 315)(page 315)

1. He “made” the ordinary man Jesus 1. He “made” the ordinary man Jesus of Nazareth into the Son of Godof Nazareth into the Son of God

• The council was merely affirming the long-The council was merely affirming the long-held orthodox view that Jesus was Godheld orthodox view that Jesus was God

• The earliest Christian documents clearly The earliest Christian documents clearly show that Jesus taught, and his followers show that Jesus taught, and his followers believed, he was Godbelieved, he was God

1. He “made” the ordinary man Jesus 1. He “made” the ordinary man Jesus of Nazareth into the Son of Godof Nazareth into the Son of God

• Mark 1:1 (c. 55AD): “The beginning of the Mark 1:1 (c. 55AD): “The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

• Titus 2:13 (c. 57AD): “… our great God and Titus 2:13 (c. 57AD): “… our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.”Saviour, Jesus Christ.”

• John 10:33 (c. 80AD): “We are stoning you John 10:33 (c. 80AD): “We are stoning you for blasphemy because you claim to be for blasphemy because you claim to be God.”God.”

• Ignatius of Antioch (d. 107AD): “God and Ignatius of Antioch (d. 107AD): “God and man in one.”man in one.”

1. He “made” the ordinary man Jesus 1. He “made” the ordinary man Jesus of Nazareth into the Son of Godof Nazareth into the Son of God

• The council was merely affirming the long-The council was merely affirming the long-held orthodox view that Jesus was Godheld orthodox view that Jesus was God

• The earliest Christian documents clearly The earliest Christian documents clearly show that Jesus taught, and his followers show that Jesus taught, and his followers believed, he was Godbelieved, he was God

• This is confirmed even by pagan Roman This is confirmed even by pagan Roman writers, e.g. Pliny the Younger (c.110AD): writers, e.g. Pliny the Younger (c.110AD):

““They worship Christ as a God.”They worship Christ as a God.”

2. He “doctored” the historical record2. He “doctored” the historical record

““To rewrite the history books…Constantine To rewrite the history books…Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible, commissioned and financed a new Bible, which omitted those gospels that spoke of which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christ’s Christ’s humanhuman traits and embellished traits and embellished those gospels that made him godlike. The those gospels that made him godlike. The earlier gospels were outlawed, gathered earlier gospels were outlawed, gathered up and burned”up and burned”

(page 316f)(page 316f)

2. He “doctored” the historical record2. He “doctored” the historical record

The New Testament was collected and The New Testament was collected and circulated long before Constantine was circulated long before Constantine was even born! It had nothing to do with him!even born! It had nothing to do with him!

2. He “doctored” the historical record2. He “doctored” the historical record

The New Testament is full of references to The New Testament is full of references to Jesus’ humanity:Jesus’ humanity:– Mark 4.38 “Jesus was…sleeping on a cushion.”Mark 4.38 “Jesus was…sleeping on a cushion.”– Matthew 4.2 “After fasting…he was hungry.”Matthew 4.2 “After fasting…he was hungry.”– John 4.6-8 “Jesus, tired as he was… sat down.”John 4.6-8 “Jesus, tired as he was… sat down.”– Romans 1.3-4 “As to his human nature, he was a Romans 1.3-4 “As to his human nature, he was a

descendant of David.”descendant of David.”– 1 Timothy 2.5 “...there is one God and one mediator 1 Timothy 2.5 “...there is one God and one mediator

between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

B. Bible’s BelievabilityB. Bible’s Believability

The Bible is a product of man, not of God. The The Bible is a product of man, not of God. The Bible did not fall magically from the clouds. Man Bible did not fall magically from the clouds. Man created it as a historical record of tumultuous created it as a historical record of tumultuous times, and it has evolved through countless times, and it has evolved through countless translations, additions and revisions. History has translations, additions and revisions. History has never had a definitive version of the book. never had a definitive version of the book. (page (page 312)312)

Manuscript evidence for the New TestamentManuscript evidence for the New Testament

AuthorAuthor BookBook WrittenWritten Earliest copyEarliest copy Time gapTime gap # Copies# Copies

Aristotle Aristotle PoeticsPoetics 343 BC343 BC 1100 AD1100 AD 1400 yrs1400 yrs 55

CaesarCaesar Gallic WarsGallic Wars 50 BC50 BC 900 AD900 AD 950 yrs950 yrs 1010

HomerHomer IliadIliad 900 BC900 BC 400 BC400 BC 500 yrs500 yrs 643643

BibleBible--NTNT 40-100 AD40-100 AD 125 AD125 AD 25 yrs25 yrs 25,00025,000

B. Bible’s BelievabilityB. Bible’s Believability

““It can’t be too strongly asserted that in substance It can’t be too strongly asserted that in substance the text of the Bible is certain: this is especially the the text of the Bible is certain: this is especially the case with the New Testament… This can be said case with the New Testament… This can be said of no other ancient book in the world.” of no other ancient book in the world.”

(Sir Frederic Kenyon)(Sir Frederic Kenyon)

B. Bible’s BelievabilityB. Bible’s Believability

““These are… the Nag Hammadi and Dead Sea These are… the Nag Hammadi and Dead Sea Scrolls,” Teabing said. “The earliest Christian Scrolls,” Teabing said. “The earliest Christian records. Troublingly they don’t match up with the records. Troublingly they don’t match up with the gospels in the Bible.” gospels in the Bible.” (page 331)(page 331)

0 100 200 300400

Life of Jesus New Testament Nag Hammadi

C. Mary’s MarriageC. Mary’s Marriage

““The early church needed to convince the world The early church needed to convince the world that the mortal prophet Jesus was a divine that the mortal prophet Jesus was a divine being. Therefore, any gospels that described being. Therefore, any gospels that described earthly aspects of Jesus’ life had to be omitted earthly aspects of Jesus’ life had to be omitted from the Bible. Unfortunately for the early from the Bible. Unfortunately for the early editors, one particularly troubling earthly theme editors, one particularly troubling earthly theme kept recurring in the gospels. Mary Magdalene…kept recurring in the gospels. Mary Magdalene…more specifically, her marriage to Jesus Christ”more specifically, her marriage to Jesus Christ”

(page 328f)(page 328f)

““It’s a matter of historical record”It’s a matter of historical record”““As I said earlier, the marriage of Jesus and As I said earlier, the marriage of Jesus and Mary Magdalene is part of the historical record.”Mary Magdalene is part of the historical record.”

(page 330)(page 330)

““Teabing flipped through the book and pointed Teabing flipped through the book and pointed out several other passages that, to Sophie’s out several other passages that, to Sophie’s surprise, clearly suggested Magdalene and surprise, clearly suggested Magdalene and Jesus had a romantic relationship.” Jesus had a romantic relationship.” (page 331)(page 331)

““I shan’t bore you with the countless references I shan’t bore you with the countless references to Jesus and Magdalene’s union.” to Jesus and Magdalene’s union.” (page 333)(page 333)

The Gospel of Philip The Gospel of Philip appearsappears to say…. to say….

““And the companion of the Saviour is Mary And the companion of the Saviour is Mary Magdalene. Christ loved her more than all Magdalene. Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the disciples and used to kiss her often on her mouth. The rest of the disciples were her mouth. The rest of the disciples were offended by it and expressed disapproval. offended by it and expressed disapproval. They said to him, “Why do you love her They said to him, “Why do you love her more than all of us?”more than all of us?”

The Gospel of Philip The Gospel of Philip actuallyactually says… says…

““And the companion of the ______ is Mary And the companion of the ______ is Mary Magdalene. _______ her more than all the Magdalene. _______ her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her ____ on her disciples and used to kiss her ____ on her _____. The rest of the disciples _____. The rest of the disciples ________________________________. ________________________________. They said to him, “Why do you love her They said to him, “Why do you love her more than all of us?”more than all of us?”

Seek the TruthSeek the Truth

““I am the way, the truth and the life. No-one I am the way, the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.”comes to the Father except through me.”

Jesus Christ, John 14.6Jesus Christ, John 14.6