The Da Vinci Code: truth or fiction?
From Wikadelphia
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Why is it important?
The Da Vinci Code has been published in 40 languages and sold 36 million copies worldwide. It is probably more widely read in the UK than the Bible; a film is forthcoming. Does it present a credible threat to Christianity?
How can we tell whether it’s true?
- 1. Distinguish between facts and interpretations
- 2. Test theories and interpretations objectively against evidence
Dan Brown in his own words (from www.danbrown.com): How much of this novel is true? The Da Vinci Code is a novel and therefore a work of fiction. 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. My hope in writing this novel was that the story would serve as a catalyst and a springboard for people to discuss the important topics of faith, religion, and history.
Three major claims
- 1. Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene and he intended her to be leader of the Christian Church
- 2. The New Testament was commissioned by the Roman Emperor Constantine several centuries after Jesus. The true story of Jesus is found in other gospels
- 3. The Church corrupted original Christianity.
Claim 1: Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene and intended her to be leader of the Christian Church (The Da Vinci Code, p. 331)
Table 1: Comparison between translations of the Gospel of Philip (Square brackets indicate gaps in the text or words not in the original supplied by the translators)
| Dan Brown | Isenberg | Paterson Brown |
|---|---|---|
| And the companion of the Saviour is Mary Magdalene.
Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth. The rest of the disciples were offended by it and expressed disapproval. They said to him, ‘Why do you love her more than all of us?’ | And the companion of the [...] Mary Magdalene.
[...] loved her more than all the disciples, and used to kiss her often on her mouth. The rest of the disciples [...]. They said to him "Why do you love her more than all of us?" | And the Consort of the [Christ] is Mariam the Magdalene.
The [Lord loved] Mariam more than [all the (other)] Disciples, [and he] kissed her often on her [mouth]. The other [women] saw his love for Mariam, (and) they say to him: ‘Why do thou love [her] more than all of us?’ |
Source of Isenberg and Paterson Brown translations: www.earlychristianwritings.com
Table 2: Comparison between the Gospel of Philip and the New Testament Gospels
| The Gospel of Philip | The New Testament Gospels | |
|---|---|---|
| Date of writing | 180-350 CE | 65-120 CE |
| Date of earliest manuscripts | 180-350 CE | 120-150 CE |
| Language | Coptic (spoken only in Egypt) | Greek (spoken throughout eastern Roman empire) |
| Style of gospel | A collection of sayings | A narrative of events interspersed with Jesus’ teaching |
| Number of manuscript copies | 1 | 5,000 |
| Author’s credentials or verifiable historical and geographical facts | None given | Given for most books |
| Quoted by early Christian writers | No | Yes |
• The only evidence that Jesus and Mary were married is a reference in the Gospel of Philip.
• There is no evidence that Mary was the intended leader of the church.
Claim 2: The New Testament was commissioned by the Roman Emperor Constantine several centuries after Jesus. The true story of Jesus is found in other gospels (The Da Vinci Code, p. 313-317)
• No evidence that Constantine played any role in the compilation of the New Testament
• Most books now included in the New Testament were recognized as Scripture in lists compiled by Christian writers from the second century onwards
• Matthew, Mark, Luke, John accepted as the only four gospels by Irenaeus (180 CE)
• No evidence that the Gnostic Gospels were ever widely accepted in the early Church. The only reference to the Gospel of Philip in early Christian writings describes it as a forgery.
Claim 3: The Church corrupted original Christianity
Table 3: Dan Brown’s identification of pagan imports into Christianity
| Church tradition | Pagan belief | Original Christianity from the Bible |
|---|---|---|
| The worship of Mary | The worship of the mother goddess (Isis, Ishtar, etc) | Mary a devout, but ordinary woman |
| The worship of the saints | The worship of gods and goddesses | Only the One Creator God is to be worshipped |
| The need for priests as intercessors with God | The need for priests as intercessors with God | Direct access to God in prayer. Elders manage church affairs |
| Peter and his successors, the Popes, as leaders of the Church | Christ as the head of the Church | |
| 25 December celebrated as Christ’s birthday | 25 December celebrated as birthday of Mithras | No date given for Christ’s birth. No special celebration |
| Sunday as a ‘holy day’ | Sunday as a day for worshipping the sun god | No special day for worship |
| Jesus as God the Son, a person of the Trinity | Jesus as the Son of God, subservient to the Father | |
| Religion used as an excuse to oppress women & minority groups | All are equal, though men and women have different roles |
Table 4: Other differences between original Christianity and the teaching of the Church
| Church tradition | Original Christianity from the Bible |
|---|---|
| God exists in three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit | Jesus is separate from and subservient to God. The Holy Spirit is not a person but the character and purpose of God |
| Jesus existed in heaven before his birth | Jesus’ existence began at his birth |
| Jesus died to appease the wrath of God | Jesus died in obedience to God, and to demonstrate God’s righteousness |
| People join the Church by being sprinkled with water (usually as babies) | People join the Church by being fully immersed in water, as adults aware of the commitment they are undertaking |
| The human soul lives on after the person has died | The soul dies with the body – Christ gives immortality at his return |
| The faithful are rewarded with a place in heaven | The faithful are rewarded with a place in God’s future Kingdom on earth |
| The unfaithful are eternally punished in Hell | The unfaithful receive eternal death |
| The Devil is a fallen angel who tempts us to sin | Sin comes from within us. The devil is a symbol of our sinful desires |
Are you looking for original Christianity? The most reliable way to discover it is to read the Bible for yourself with an open mind.
- Is the Bible true?: www.godstruth.org
- More about original Christianity: www.one-gospel.org
