The Da Vinchi Code?

Question

Do you believe there is an element of truth in the Da Vinchi Code? Perhaps the life of the real Christ is not exactly like what is stated in the Bible.

Answer 1

The "Da Vinci Code" is really a fiction. Here's an excerpt (from the net) forwarded by a friend:

>>It's that time again. Time for popular culture to blur the lines between truth and fiction and suggest that the Bible isn't to be trusted. This time it's the movie version of Dan Brown's best-selling book, The DaVinci Code.

Whether you see the movie or read the book is something you'll need to decide for yourself. But if you see or read it, you need to know that both the book and the movie are pure fiction. Oh, yes, there are some historical facts included in the book but for the most part, this is an adventure, a thriller, an imaginative work.
Dan Brown has done his homework, but it's in the realm of lore and legend, not the reality of history. It's fiction, not fact. His understanding of the Bible is colored by his idea that Mary Magdalene is the Holy Grail. But the Holy Grail, whatever it might be, isn't mentioned in the Bible. It's folklore. It makes for interesting reading, but nothing about it resembles history.
When the public and even Christians don't know the Bible and why it can be trusted, when we're ignorant of church history, it's easy for something like The DaVinci Code to attract attention and raise the questions it does.

While others have written volumes on the inaccuracies of The DaVinci Code, let's consider three elements that relate to several tenets in the book and movie.

According to The DaVinci Code, Christians supposedly did not view Jesus as divine until after the Council of Nicea in A.D. 325. But read Paul's Epistles (see Romans 8:9; Colossians 2:8-10) or Hebrews (Hebrews 1:1-3) and see what they say about Jesus' divinity. Romans was written about A.D. 57; Colossians near A.D. 60; and Hebrews about A.D. 68, all well before A.D. 325. That's not to mention Thomas's declaration, "My Lord and My God..." (John 20:28).

The DaVinci Code also claims that Constantine (285-337 A.D.) or the Vatican suppressed earlier, more trustworthy gospels in order to consolidate power. Yet the early church recorded that only the four gospels--Matthew, Mark, Luke and John--were believed to be inspired of God. In southern France before A.D. 181, Irenaeus, the bishop of Lyons, said, "It is not possible that the Gospels can be either more or fewer in number than they are." And Tertullian, around A.D. 206, accepted only the four gospels. So did Origen, in Egypt before A.D. 254. All occurring well before Constantine and the Vatican.

Finally, The DaVinci Code puts forward an idea that the church covered up the marriage of Jesus to Mary Magdalene and that they had a child whose offspring are living today. This makes for a great movie but lousy history. There is absolutely no historical record or evidence that Jesus was ever married, let alone to Mary of Magdala. The Bible mentions Jesus' mother and father in Matthew 1:18-25, and his brothers are named in Matthew 13:55, but it never talks about a wife. Wouldn't you find that a bit odd if Jesus really had married Mary Magdalene and had children? Scholars and historians do; fiction writers evidently don't.

You want truth? Compare the speculations of Dan Brown, his book and now the movie, with the "more sure prophetic word of God"(2 Peter 1:19). Writers like Peter and John were eyewitnesses of what happened at the Last Supper. Dan Brown was not, neither was Leonardo DaVinci. Who are you going to believe?

If you want fiction, read The DaVinci Code. If you want the truth, read the Bible.<<


As for me, there's nothing wrong with watching the film or reading the book as long as we educate first ourselves on the history of the Church by reading the Holy Bible to avoid confusion and misinformation. The Bible, no matter what other people say, remains unchanged and has withstood weather and time (including controversies). It is a first-hand account & experience of the ancient people with God & Jesus which was shared to us for guidance & inspiration. When one starts questioning the divinity of Jesus, all else will follow.... the authenticity of the Bible, in Jesus, His works, His teachings, & then, in God.

I admit, I am no saint, nor do I know the passages in the Bible by heart. But I do believe that there's a God, that Jesus is the Son of God (turned man), that God loves us very much, that, because of that love, God allowed His beloved Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our salvation, that God's love and our salvation do not end there, that God continues to love us inspite of our shortcomings, that there will always be salvation as long as we acknowledge our sins, ask for forgiveness, and do good to self and others. However,the latter is a continuing process which shouldn't hinder us to becoming a better person. Challenges, lest temptations, do come.... and go, as long as we keep faith in God & His Son.

Answer 2

I've read the book and seen the film. I don't either where that good. The film was aweful as well. But Is the Jesus that they talking about the truth.
Let me ask you something. If the Vatican really did cover up the truth why? It doesn't make sense. What for? Their would be no reason to cover up what the book say's is the truth.
Also have you actually read the Old Testament. The Da Vinci Code couldn't attack that part of the bible and do you know why. Because its thousands of years old. So if they haven't attacked the OT what has that got to do with Jesus? Everything thats what. Did you know although that the OT was written way before the time of Christ and yet it speaks clearly what sort of person the Messiah will be. Read !saiah 53 and tell me that's not Jesus. But this book was written about 700 years before Christ. There are many more accounts in the OT that point to Christ. Now if the Da Vinci Code is true and Jesus did get married, then why doesn't the OT back it up? The answer to that is because the book is just a story, a story that is trying disprove who Jesus really is. Its a load of rubbish and no more than a story.

Answer 3

Well, the likelihood that the life of Christ was exactly as described in the Bible is slim. Historical documents can not only begin slightly (or grossly) inaccurate, but they can also be changed to reflect the needs and desires of whoever happens to be in power at any given time. This was particularly true in the past, when levels of literacy and the ease with which information could travel were both abysmal.

That having been said, "The Da Vinci Code" has about as many elements of reality as a Tom Clancy novel - it is an entertaining book of fiction created by applying a good imagination to some actual events and circumstances.

So, is "The Da Vinci Code" closer to the truth about Christ than the Bible is? Not unless by some very random and unlikely occurrence of luck. But it is not likely that the Bible is too close to the truth either.

Answer 4

Although the Da Vinchi Code is a fictional novel and meant for entertainment purposes one has consider that alot of the history in the art work does have the 'ring' of truth (again exploited to be much more-so for entertainment purpose) as well as, there was a time when clergy was 'law' and the bible was prohibited from being distributed or read by commoners (aka people like us), it is suspected that the bible was altered and certain sections removed at the time in history when it was to be released to public eyes to prevent persons from pushing the clergy out as ultimate law, and continue keeping them high on pedistal.

So with that being said: is the real Christ not exactly as stated in the bible, no I don't believe so ...have you ever read a newspaper article you or someon wyou knew was personally involved in..what were the differences, there usuallt are at least a few. The decyples were just ordinary people and people's perceptions are not always acurate, even if their intent was to be truthful.

Is there an element of truth? I think there is, and really with the vast amout of faiths, stories, and diaties presented throughout time and cultures who really can say I am wrong. Really faith is nothing more than a firm belief in something for which there is no proof, something that is believed especially with strong conviction; especially : a system of religious beliefs. So if faith is nothing more than a strong belief then it can't be proven to be 100% right or wrong, and the Da Vinchi Code is simply a conspirity theory to a belief that one may choose to consider or believe, or to deny or just ignore.

Answer 5

Considering that the Catholic Church had the last say of what the Bible should say and should not, I wouldn't be surprised if Jesus never lived at all. The Catholic Church is the biggest evil this world has ever known. They make Hitler look like a puppy dog. Some of the books in the Bible have not been written by the supposed authors and most of them were written long after the "authors" died. Also consider the Apocryphia which hasn't been included in the Bible because the Church thought it inapropriate. This includes the Wisdom of Solomon and The book of Enoch, who was favored so much by God that he was taken up to heaven while in his earthly body. I think in the whole Bible they only mention him once, in Genesis or Exodus. Enoch and Solomon were true men of God but the Church decided that they weren't.
Most people in the world are a bunch of gullible idiots but eventually the truth will come out. There is definitely an element of truth to the Da Vinci code and most of these facts can be historically proven. Some have been exagerated, though. The point is that we are being lied to on so many fronts that nothing is impossible.

Answer 6

Well, to begin with: the Da Vinci Code is a novel, a work of fiction. So there is nothing to believe in or not.

However, the underlying story of the book, as well as certain people and organisations mentioned in it, do exist in the real world.

It is also a fact of historical record (which again leaves no room for belief) that the life of the historical Jesus was quite different from the stories the (heavily edited) New Testament tells us.
In the 4th century the Romans under Emperor Constantine were in a crisis, and in order to give the empire a new ideology, the Emperor decided to make Christianity the new official religion.
But he made sure that it suited him and his power plan, so he changed and altered the Bible and the rules of the Church during the Council of Nicea. All previous editions of the Bible were ordered to be destroyed (and only a few survived that purge) and only the new version was allowed to be used by the clergy.

It is also a fact that the historical Jesus was a Jewish Prince and Rabbi, and more a political than a religious leader. He was also married to a woman named Mary (whom the New Testament calls "the Magdalene") and had at least one child - a daughter - with her. Both Mary and her daughter fled to the South of France after the "Crucifiction", while Jesus fled to India, where he had been studying as a youngster. These are not theories or things to believe or not to believe, these are facts.
The Churches, and especially the Catholic Church, are of course denying all this, because it undermines their doctrine as well as their very existence. But fortunately we all have a brain to see and understand, and to judge for ourselves.

Answer 7

Da Vinci code - a very good book as it has prevoked a lot of interest and debate. Is there and truth in it? Probably not.

As for the Bible, without rubbishing religion as I think that enough bad feeling is already in our community relating to religion, you have to remember that this was written many, many years ago from stories that were passed, by word of mouth, down through the generations. As with Chinese whispers there will always be an element of exaggeration before this tales were put on paper.

This doesn't mean that I am rubbishing the Bible, just trying to point out that there is a twist to everything, and that things shouldn't be taken literally ie, a fiction book called 'The Da Vinci Code'!!!

Answer 8

There is a lot of truth in what he wrote, but there's also a lot of rumour and hearsay.
The Romans did take Christianity and completely bastardise it to suit their own ends, which is why its called the Roman Catholic Church. The bible today is a lot different from what Jesus was supposed to have said. Thats why a lot of people say that the Koran is more valid, because its supposed to be unchanged from the original words of Mohammed.
A lot of th things he says about symbols are true too, like everyone thinks that the goat's head and the pentagram etc are all symbols of satanism because they are pagan symbols and the church wanted to make paganism the path to hell.
However, all the stuff about the knights templar and the holy grail being mary magdalene is pure theory based on research that could be true, but is totally unproven.
There is a book published by the guys who tried to sue dan brown, because they said the Da Vinci Code was a complete rip off of their work. The book is fact and theory, not fiction, so it will give you more of an idea how much is based on truth and evidence, and what is theory. Unfortunately, I can't remember what it's called. I think its "Unlocking the Da Vinci Code", or something like that.

Answer 9

I believe that there are basic elements of truth in the Da Vinci Code that are wraped around a great deal of theory and fiction.
Yes, all the places in the story do exist, but the true history of them has been theroized or fictionalized. Many of the works of art are treated in the same way as the various locations of historical buildings, a basic truth molded to fit the plot of the book. Was there really a Priory of Sion established in the 10th century? Yes, there was a Priory of Sion, but it only exisited in the minds of the three people who made it up in the 50's. Was there really an ancient blood line of Christ? Probably not but it is interesting to think so. Would I call the Da Vinci code historical fact? No, but I would call it historical entertainment.

Answer 10

The Da Vinci Code as a novel was a really interesting read, I didn't think the film completely did it justice.
There is apparantly proof that Jesus did live here on Earth but the Bible is in some ways probably as ficticious as Dan Brown's creation.
Surely, that is one of the biggest points Dan Brown is making - that there are so many other possiblities out there that one of them has to be that the Roman Catholic Church is about power, money and secrecy as much as faith?
Two thoughts though: first - would any other religion be open to this much scandal? Can't imagine such a film based around Islam being allowed in today's climate. Second, the cathedral where this movie was shot on location was eager enough to accept money from the production team to film a work that they themselves say is defiling their beliefs. Corrupt much?

Answer 11

Athiest answer here:

No, I do not.

Dan Brown simply took some of the mysteries of Christian history, like the dead sea scrolls, the story of Mary Magdalene, and some of the weird things about Da Vinci's paintings and wrote his theory to explain it all.

It became a bestseller and is now being attacked.

Attacking a work of FICTION is stupid. It was written for ENTERTAINMENT. Not as a HISTORY BOOK.

I know that if I were Christian I'd probably feel offended by the story. But I'd stop and realize that nobody is trying to say that this is THE story, the truth, what really happened. So it's pointless to feel offended by a work of FICTION and create a whole debate about it.

It's like all those church bans and attacks of Harry Potter. The books ENTERTAIN. They don't BRAINWASH.

Besides, if a book really was offensive to Christianity, wouldn't it be on the Papal Index of Banned Books? Assuming it's still around and being updated...