Books and other resources about
The Da Vinci Code

Reviewed by David Williams 

Re:fresh books & christian resources stocks a number of books, booklets and tracts examining Dan Brown’s best-selling novel, The Da Vinci Code,  from a Christian perspective.  There are also a number of useful DVDs exploring issues raised in the book ... and even a Fact and Fiction scratchcard for evangelistic use.

The Da Vinci Code has remained on secular bookshops’ best-seller lists for many months.  On May 19, it was released as a movie, starring Tom Hanks.   It is a fast-moving suspense novel that makes compelling reading.  But woven into the plot is the argument that the Christian Church has perpetrated a grand deception by which the Bible (especially the four Gospels) is false, our concept of Jesus is false and our concept of God is false.   It suggests that the church has suppressed “the sacred feminine” and emphasised a patriarchal view of the Divine … the four Gospels were selected by the Emperor Constantine to support his views but the true (Gnostic) gospels were suppressed … Jesus was never regarded as divine by the early church and was married to Mary Magdalene, by whom he had a daughter.

Few, if any, of these ideas are new but what makes Brown’s book disturbing is a foreword headed “FACT” in which he states “All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents and secret rituals in this novel are accurate.”  By this claim (which is itself false) he gives the book an undeserved credibility in the mind of the uninformed reader.  Ironically, under the same heading he refers to parchments discovered in Paris’s Bibliothèque Nationale in 1975 describing a secret society called the Priory of Sion “founded in 1099”.  However, these documents were found to have been planted in 1967 by a Frenchman, Pierre Plantard, who founded the Priory of Sion in 1956!  Plantard admitted his fraud in 1993. 

 

TRACT      Vinci de Coded by Roger Carswell        10p

 

This is excellent value for money as a tract to hand out at Da Vinci events.  For Christians it offers a useful summary of some of the key issues raised by The Da Vinci Code and the Christian response (one New Malden church plans to use it at a Da Vinci Code event).  For non-Christians it addresses some of the general impressions about the origins of the Gospels, the person of Jesus and the Christian church that they may have gained from the book or the movie.  Written by a UK-based evangelist, it ends with a section on the significance of the cross of Christ and encourages people to read the gospels for themselves.
It includes a response form with an offer of a free copy of the Gospel of John or a booklet explaining how to become a real Christian.         re:fresh recommended

BOOKLETS

The Da Vinci Code – a response by Nicky Gumbel - (Revised Edition)   £1.00

This popular booklet by the author of the Alpha Course has been revised and extended from 28 pages to 56 pages, but the price is held at £1.00
Despite its brevity, it contains considerably more relevant material than some much longer books about The Da Vinci Code.  Nicky concentrates on Brown’s central argument that the Gnostic Gospels are the earliest Christian documents.  He gives a useful summary of the Nag Hammadi documents (discovered in Egypt in 1945) and in particular the ‘Gospels’ of Thomas, Philip and Mary. 
The additional material is essentially the content of the first session of the Alpha Course - Who is Jesus? and covers the questions "What did Jesus say about himself?" and "What evidence is there to support what Jesus said?"
This booklet would be handy to give to anybody who has swallowed Brown’s theories or to offer during the first session of an Alpha Course.
re:fresh recommended

The Da Vinci Code - from Dan Brown's Fiction to Mary Magdalene's Faith by Garry Williams - £1.00

Like Nicky Gumbel's booklet, this short booklet is ideal for passing on to people who have read The Da Vinci Code.   It is a 62-page booklet with an attractive cover.  The Author is Principal of Oak Hill Theological College, London. 
The sub-title and the headings of the two chapters that make up this booklet could mislead the casual observer into thinking that it majors on Dan Brown's theories about Mary Magdalene.  But it does not. 
Chapter 1 - Mary Magdalene: Wife? succinctly summarises and answers many of Dan Brown's ideas including seven of the book's claims about Jesus and the early church. 
Chapter 2 - Mary Magdalene: Witness? focuses on the reliability of the New Testament documents.

Da Vinci - A broken code by Brian Edwards - £2.50

Another short (32-page) booklet, this is written by the former minister of Hook Evangelical Church.   Despite it's size, the A5 format and small print size has enabled Day One Publications to pack in a wealth of material.
Brian Edwards summarises the main themes of The Da Vinci Code and also provides a useful summary of the Gnostic Gospels, particularly the Gospels of Thomas, Philip and Mary.  He devotes considerable space to what we know about Mary Magdalene and to the claims that she was married to Jesus.  He then considers nine other claims of The Da Vinci Code before going on to examine the reliability of the New Testament Documents, Brown's ideas about Da Vinci's painting of the Last Supper, earlier books that have presented similar ideas to Dan Brown, and Brown's "real agenda".

The Da Vinci Code: Fact or Fiction? by Hank Hanegraaff & Paul L Maier - £2.99

Written by an American author/broadcaster and a professor of ancient history, this book is in two parts, one setting out to answer Brown’s “facts” and the second presenting a positive defence of the faith.  The book is short enough to be read in a sitting and provides a useful summary of some of the main points of contention but it does not give detailed answers and the authors' vitriolic attacks on Dan Brown’s ideas are not helpful.

See also the abridged version of Cracking Da Vinci's Code descibed below

BOOKS

The Truth Behind the Da Vinci Code by Richard Abanes - £5.99

Abanes presents an accessible and reasoned analysis of Brown’s ideas. He is an American author and journalist who writes on cults and religions.   He dismantles Brown’s ideas one by one.  Statements or ideas from The Da Vinci Code are reproduced in tinted boxes and then examined logically, supported by relevent facts and references.  The original 1956 registration document for Plantard’s Priory of Sion is reproduced, so too is Da Vinci’s painting of the Last Supper, central to Brown’s argument about the relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene. 

re:fresh recommended  

Cracking Da Vinci’s Code by James L. Garlow and Peter Jones


This book is now available in two editions - the original 252-page edition reviewed below and priced at £6.99 and a compact 108-page booklet priced only £2.99.

The authors seek to go behind the concepts that underlie Brown’s ideas, examining the various cults and documents from the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to Holy Blood, Holy Grail.  The Authors are both theologians.  They begin with a disturbing look at the way in which the The Da Vinci Code undermines a healthy view of sex by suggesting that coitus is the only way to “achieve gnosis – knowledge of the divine.”   They end with a challenge to choose between modern paganism and a historic faith in the unique Creator God and Jesus Christ, His Son, the true Saviour of the World.  Cracking Da Vinci’s Code includes useful side bars summarising key facts such as the Priory Hoax, The Gnostic Gospels and the Nicene Creed and also has a colour reproduction of The Last Supper.   It also includes a chapter-by-chapter Study Guide that could be used by a reading group or study group wishing to examine The Da Vinci Code.

The compact edition is an abridged version of the original, omitting some of the useful sidebars etc. and the study guide.  Nevertheless it could be a useful book to give to people who are asking questions about The Da Vinci Code.  The fact that it begins with DVC's view of sex and then goes on to "the Sacred Feminine" before looking at the deity of Jesus and the trustworthiness of the Gospels, could make it more appealing to younger people.   At £2.99 this is exceptionally good value for money.

The Da Vinci Hoax by Carl E. Olson and Sandra Miesel - £10.50

One of the most comprehensive examinations of The Da Vinci Code, this book is written by two Roman Catholic Authors.  They rightly see The Da Vinci Code as primarily an attack on the Roman Catholic church (Dan Brown barely acknowledges the existence of anything else) but the book offers a readable, comprehensive and informed examination suitable for readers of all persuasions.  It discusses Gnostic teaching, theories about Mary Magdalene, the issue of the Divinity of Jesus and the role of Constantine and the Council of Nicaea, always relating these to statements in The Da Vinci Code.  It also looks at the myths surrounding the Holy Grail, the history of the Knights Templar, The Priory of Sion Hoax, and Brown's flawed ideas about Da Vinci’s art.  A final chapter rounds up a number of other issues including the book’s ill-informed statements about the Shekinah and it’s references to the Hieros gamos ritual.  Interestingly the authors do not devote a great deal of space to Opus Dei which features prominently in The Da Vinci Code.   An extensive index will help readers locate particular issues easily. 

Whilst the most expensive of the books listed here, The Da Vinci Hoax is a worthwhile investment for any serious reader looking for a readable, systematic and in-depth analysis of many of the issues raised in Dan Brown’s novel.                   re:fresh recommended

Is it worth Believing? – the Spiritual challenge of the Da Vinci Code by Greg Clarke - £7.00

Greg Clarke approaches The Da Vinci Code from a different angle.   He looks at the whole issue of why we believe what we do and how we accept certain ideas and reject others.  In doing so, he subjects both Christian teaching and Dan Brown’s ideas to scrutiny.  His book is a challenge to Christians to avoid some of the mistakes of the past and know why they believe what they do and, at the same time, a call to any who have embraced The Da Vinci Code’s ideas about religion to examine the basis on which they have done so.   The author keeps The Da Vinci Code firmly in his sights throughout and tackles most of the book’s claims about Jesus Christ, Mary Magdalene, the Gospels and the church.  Page references are, helpfully, given to both the popular Corgi version of DVC and the original edition.
Greg Clarke is Director of the Centre for Apologetic Scholarship and Education at New College, the University of New South Wales.  The book is published by Matthias Media.

The Books the Church Suppressed – Fiction and Truth in the Da Vinci Code by Dr Michael Green - £7.99

This is an excellent book for anybody wanting to investigate further the origins of the New Testament and the Gnostic Gospels although the sub-title may be considered a little misleading since a large part of the book makes no reference  to The Da Vinci Code.   However it has direct significance to many of the claims within Dan Brown's book. 
After an initial chapter which discusses some of the ideas in DVC and their significance, Dr Green launches into eleven chapters that describe the selection of the 27 books that make up the New Testament Canon and why other books were rejected.   This offers a comprehensive survey that will help anybody genuinely wanting to understand the background to what was, and was not, included in our New Testament.  It is also a useful guide to the Gnostic heresies.  
Dr Green returns specifically to The Da Vinci Code for the final three chapters – Why does all this matter?, The “Sacred Feminine” – where is it leading us? and The heart of the matter,  giving a clear explanation of why Brown’s ideas – and those of writers like Karen King and Elaine Pagels – are so important to our understanding of post-modern theology.              re:fresh recommended

Breaking the Da Vinci Code by Darrell L Bock – £12.99

Darrell Bock is a Research Professor at Dallas Theological Seminary.   His book majors on the person of Mary Magdalene but also touches on other key elements of The Da Vinci Code.  The first three chapters look at Mary Magdalene and the idea that she was Jesus’ wife.  The book then proceeds to a helpful examination of Gnosticism and the Gnostic Gospels before returning to the subject of Mary Magdalene as “the Apostle to the Apostles”.
 
Bock is concerned to uncover the hidden agenda behind modern revisionist thinkers such as Karen King who seem determined to find something to replace the orthodox Gospel, no matter how unlikely it may be.  In the words of John Dominic Crossan ‘If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it must be a camel in disguise’.   Bock sees Mary Magdalene as the champion of the new school which is determined to present the early church as repressing women, although the very Gospels that they reject are the ones that present Mary as the first witness to the Resurrection of Jesus whilst the Gnostic Gospels convey a mixed message about Mary.  Although examining modern thinking, Bock always keeps Dan Brown and The Da Vinci Code firmly in his sights.  The book is a useful addition to the library of anybody who is concerned to go beyond the superficial theology of Dan Brown to the revisionist thinkers from whom some of his ideas emanate.

Connect bible studies – The Da Vinci Code by Di Archer - £3.99

Scripture Union’s connect bible studies are intended for small group use and aim to get people digging into their Bibles whilst thinking about contemporary books, films, TV programmes and music.  Subjects covered include Harry Potter, The Simpsons, James Bond, Lord of the Rings, Pullman’s His dark materials and John Grisham’s thrillers.

The Da Vinci Code comprises four studies looking at:-
•  Secret knowledge
•  Symbolism
•  Religious authorities
•  Authentic faith

Each study comprises some opening questions, for example “Do you think some Christians are overreacting by condemning The Da Vinci Code?”.  These are followed by a summary of the book and a key issue.  There is a suggestion of which chapters to read before each study.  This leads into a series of questions based on relevant Bible passages and themes. This is followed by a number of “implications” questions.   The questions are all self-contained and it is suggested that groups select questions rather than working through them all.  There is also a photocopyable “Members’ Sheet” containing the summary and a series of boxes into which group members can write their own comments for each session.

The Da Vinci Code on Trial  by Stephen Clark - £4.50

Stephen Clark, a former lawyer, is now an Evangelical Church minister in South Wales.  The author is concerned for an accurate representation of the Bible and the real Jesus revealed in the New Testament.  He discusses the Dead Sea Scrolls, Gnosticism, Constantine and Nicaea, the Mystery Religions and other issues but moves on to some of the hallmarks of a Bible-believing Christian faith – the Sonship of Jesus, the fact of the Resurrection and the challenge of our response to Him.

Most of the books described above include detailed bibliographic notes and references but readers should be aware that only the booklets by Nicky Gumbel, Garry Williams and Brian Edwards, and Greg Clark's Is it worth believing? use page numbers relating to the Corgi paperback edition of The Da Vinci Code popular in UK bookshops.  The others are generally based on the original American edition of The Da Vinci Code. The table below will help readers find pages in the Corgi edition and to locate pareticular themes in DVC.

 

DVD        Breaking the Da Vinci Code                          £16.99

This is a useful resource that could be used both for personal or church use, for example in discussion groups on The Da Vinci Code.    It comprises a 60-minute programme examining many of the claims made in DVC plus a number of stand-alone sequences.  These include Early Christianity, the Books of the Bible and the Da Vinci Code (19 minutes), Gnosticism, Christianity and the Da Vinci Code (10 minutes), Jesus’ marriage and children (9 minutes) and Mary Magdalene (7 minutes).  There is also a 19-minute tour of Rosslyn Chapel and a 13-minute feature on the life and work of Leonardo Da Vinci. 

The DVD relies largely on statements by American academics and authors including James Garlow, Darrell Bock, Sandra Miesel, Hank Hanegraaf and Paul Maier, all of whom have written books reviewed here.   It includes authoritative insights into The Last Supper and other paintings by Leonardo Da Vinci, examines the ideas about Jesus and Mary Magdelene and the teachings of the Gnostic gospels, discusses the knights templar and the Priory of Sion hoax, and summarises many of the errors in the Da Vinci Code.

Many users may find the additional features particularly useful because they can be accessed easily without having to watch through the main 60-minute programme.  re:fresh recommended

 

DVD   Cracking the Da Vinci Code   by Mark Stibbe        £12.99 PLUS evangelistic leaflet, scratchcard and website

The DVD
This is a one-hour teaching DVD by well-known UK writer and conference speaker, Mark Stibbe.  It is suitable for personal or group use.  Whilst particularly suited to Christians, it includes a positive message about the freedom and purpose to be found in a personal faith in Jesus Christ, and could be given to a non-Christian who is interested in the issues raised by DVC.   It comprises five (unequal) sections covering the plot, the popularity, the proposals, the power and the pitfalls of the Da Vinci Code.  Each section can be accessed separately from the menu.

Under “The Proposals” it looks at seven key elements in DVC, particularly those surrounding the alleged marriage of Jesus to Mary Magdalene and the idea of a continuing bloodline.  Under “Pitfalls” it examines some of the errors in the book.  Towards the end Dr Stibbe refers to  DVCs appeal to post-modernist thinkers.  He ends with a challenge to Christians to learn about early Christianity.

Stibbe openly admits to his own enjoyment of Dan Brown's novels.  This makes his criticism the more convincing.

An evangelistic tract, Cracking the Da Vinci Code and a Da Vinci Code Fact and Fiction scratchcard, intended for use outside Cinemas showing the movie, have been produced by Word and Spirit Resources, The Christian Enquiry Agency and Presence Retail Limited.  They are available in packs of 10, 50 or 100 with or without the DVD, which is seen as a teaching resource to go with the evangelistic material.

The Scratchcard
The scratchcard has ten claims from DVC with Fact and Fiction scratch boxes alongside each – for example “Mary Magdalene had a place of significance in the group that followed Jesus of Nazareth”.  It is intended for evangelistic use, especially outside cinemas showing The Da Vinci Code.

The Tract
The Cracking the Da Vinci Code tract, also by Mark Stibbe,  takes each of the ten statements and gives a concise answer.  It ends with challenge “Who do you say that I am?” and refers readers to the website www.thedavincicode.org.uk.   

The Website
The website is set up by Word and Spirit Resources, The Christian Enquiry Agency and Presence Retail Limited.   It includes a wealth of additional material on The New Testament Gospels and the Gnostic Gospels, Mary Magdalene, Da Vinci’s The Last Supper, Opus Dei and other issues.  It also gives users the opportunity to respond.

 The re:fresh Guide to The Da Vinci Code – page numbers (US/UK Editions)

Most books about the Da Vinci Code give page references from the American Edition.  This Guide lists some relevant subjects with the American and UK (Corgi) page numbers

Doubleday (USA)                                  Corgi paperback (UK)

The church’s “smear campaign”
 37                                                                                        62

Leonardo Da Vinci
 45                                                                                        72
 46                                                                                        73
 96                                                                                      135

Leonardo and the Priory of Sion
113                                                                                    158

Leonardo and the Mona Lisa (Chapter 26)
119                                                                                    165
120                                                                                    167
121                                                                                    168

The Sacred feminine & the Inquisition Chapter 28)
124                                                                                    172
125                                                                                    173

Leonardo and the Madonna of the Rocks
138-9                                                                                 191

Knights Templar & the Priory of Sion (Chapter 37)
157                                                                                    217
158                                                                                    217
158                                                                                    218
159                                                                                    219
160                                                                                    220

Les Dossier Secrets
206                                                                                    280

Constantine & the Bible (Chapter 55, 56)
231                                                                                   312/3
232                                                                                    313
233                                                                                    315
234                                                                                    317
237                                                                                    320
238                                                                                    322

Leonardo & the Last Supper (Chapter 58)
243                                                                                    327
244                                                                                    329
245                                                                                   330/1
246                                                                                    331
247                                                                                   333/4
248                                                                                    334
249                                                                                    336
250                                                                                    336

Jesus “bloodline” (Chapter 60)
253                                                                                    339
257                                                                                    345
258                                                                                    345
261                                                                                    348

Other
326                                                                                    431
346                                                                                    457