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THE DA VINCI CODE by Dan Brown
Da Vinci Code? Fact or Fiction? This has been a
burning
question since the 2003 publication of Dan Brown's novel, The Da
Vinci
Code. Numerous books have been written in an effort to either
support
or disprove the premise of the book.(An Opinion by Virginia H. Lane) In case you haven't been following this controversy, the premise of The Da Vinci Code is that Jesus of Nazareth, the deity of Christianity, was married to Mary Magdalene. After his crucifixion, she fled to France where she bore his child, a girl. It is said that the bloodline still exists today. I have been in a habit of writing reviews of books that impact my life, hoping to encourage people to read something that could be beneficial. Rather than call this a review, I call this an opinion. I don't seek to answer questions but only to make comments. Dan Brown calls his book a novel. Naturally, the plot is written as if the premise is fact. This causes confusion to a reader who may not be well-grounded in Christian beliefs. I have to admit that Brown presents his premise in a logical manner surrounded by a plot that supplies mystery and even sexual potential. On his website (http://www.DanBrown.com) in answer to the question of how much of the novel is true, Brown replies, "While the book's characters and their actions are obviously not real, the artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals depicted in this novel all exist (for example, Leonardo Da Vinci's paintings, the Gnostic Gospels, Hieros Gamos, etc.). These real elements are interpreted and debated by fictional characters. While it is my belief that some of the theories discussed by these characters may have merit, each individual reader must explore these characters' viewpoints and come to his or her own interpretations." Brown purports that Jesus intended Mary Magdalene to be the leader of the New Testament church but she and the Apostle Peter disagreed. Therefore, "the church fathers" are accused of suppressing the truth of Jesus' marriage because they wanted a male dominated religion. Meaning that men would run the church. A few loyal followers of Jesus and Magdalene kept documents showing the truth and eventually her body/bones were included in the "secret." This proof was supposedly what became known as the Holy Grail. (I won't get into a discussion of the other ideas as to the "identity" of the Holy Grail.) Wow?! What's a person to think? While I believe that Jesus was not married, I acknowledge that the Bible doesn't provide the info. We do know that Peter and a few others were married. Mary, his mother seemed to hang around with him a lot. At the cross, he told John to take care of her. It seems strange to me that he wouldn't talk about his wife at that time if he'd had one. I scanned a number of books that seek to reveal the truths behind what Brown wrote--or they seek to debunk the myths. Da Vinci Code Decoded by Martin Lunn supports many of Brown's view. In the page "about the author" his says "Martin Lunn is a recognized expert in the Davidic bloodline and other issues presented in The Da Vinci Code ." He says that the heir to the Davidic line was required by law to marry and produce at least two sons. Additional information in the book disagrees with Christian tradition as to the identity of Christ. Lunn tends to agree that Jesus was a man of the Davidic line and not the deity as presented by the Apostle Paul. Needless to say, many readers would disagree with this version of "truth." He does present some interesting historical information that could challenge all of us in our quest for Christ. Page 214 at the end of book has helpful glossary of people, places, organizations and events in history. Breaking the Da Vinci Code by Darrell L. Bock, PH.D. Research professor of New Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminar. 2004. He carefully goes through the various points addressed in the DaVinci Code and refutes them with through research and logic. Each of these texts claim to have the truth. These are only two of the many in print. I believe that each author does believe in their research and that many of the facts presented for each side of the debate are true. The most complete book on the subject within the library to which I have access is Secrets of the Code: The Unauthorized Guide to the Mysteries Behind the DaVinci Code by Dan Burstein. When I first opened it, I thought the writer leaned toward agreement with Brown. However, I found that he sought to give all sides of the story. It was quite interesting to read the closing remarks of his introduction. Many commentators are arguing over Dan Brown's portrayal of religious doctrine and Christian history. In fact, several other books offering readers a critique of DVC from a religious point of view are being written and published. I encourage you to read those too. But whether or not Dan Brown got his theology right is not the focus of this book, although we have presented some arguments along those lines here. Instead, I have chosen to emphasize the ideas, metaphors, and their interconnections that can be discerned by engaging in the dialogue over this book. It is not my desire to enter into polemics or to be critical or disrespectful of anyone's religious beliefs. Nor is it my desire to uphold or disparage the words that DVC relies on for source material that are excerpted here. The fact that material is presented here doesn't mean I think the arguments presented are true. It only means I think you should hear the arguments and make up your own mind.Burstein presented much of the same material I'd read in other books. However, Chapter 10 (beginning on p. 253) in an article by David A Shugarts entitled "The Plot Holes and Intriguing Details of The Da Vinci Code" addresses a series of questions on specific events and statements within the novel. I once read that serious readers question things and will catch an author who does not do thorough research. Brown did a lot of research; however, his attention to detail was not always thorough. For instance, it was asked if Alexander Pope really presided at Sir Isaac Newton's funeral. This was an area where Brown took artistic license. While possible that Pope was at the funeral, he did not speak. It was about four years after Newton's death that Pope was asked to write the famous epitaph that appears on the Newton monument. At the beginning, I said that I was not writing a review of The DaVinci Code so much as an opinion. There are many reviews to be had. There are books on the truth or deceptions within this novel. I don't know what fact or fiction. Like any novel, I acknowledge it as fiction unless I've checked out the statements. Even then, most of the controversy isn't anything that can be proved. Did the early church suppress facts? I don't know. It's a little hard to find out after almost 2000 years. I haven't met anyone who waves a family tree going back to Jesus. So one cannot state the ideas suggested in The Da Vinci Code as definite fact or fiction. Is it worth getting upset and militant about it? Many have believed that this book will give false information about Jesus Christ to those who do not currently believe in Him. Maybe...but those who do should be such positive examples to the world that as paths cross, the other side can be told. Therefore, I choose to forget the controversy, sit back and enjoy The Da Vinci Code as I would any other mystery. Who is the person who contracted the hit? How are our hero and heroine going to get away? Will they find the secret box? Et cetera! |
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