“The Da Vinci Code: Fact or Fiction?”    5/21/06

1) WHY? Over 60.5 Million Books sold, Major Movie

2) 33% Canadians- Jesus’ kids on earth today; 53% US…spiritual growth

3) Conspiracy Theories Abound-  Everyone loves them…  LIST

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have, with gentleness and respect” 1 Peter 3:15

FICTION!!!!   REVIEW OF THE STORY-  Nothing to be scared of here!

POINT 1-  The DVC attempts to cast doubt on the nature of HISTORY.

   A.    TDVC says history is only written by winners (ch. 60)

         Peloponnesian Wars written by Thucydides (an Athenian), 1 example

   B.   TDVC, “upgraded Jesus’ status four centuries later” (ch.55)

         Jesus died 30AD. Nicaea occurred in 325AD. Less than 3 centuries.

   C.   TDVC, “church burned at stake 5 million women” (ch. 27).

         The facts are that there were only 50,000. Corrected in movie. 20% men.

   D.  TDVC, “Fact: priory of Sion started in 1099AD (1^st pages of book)

            Brown relies on a 1982 book, Holy Blood, Holy Grail.  These authors base their work on documents by Pierre Plantard who spent time in jail for fraud in 1953.  Plantard, and three others started social club for more low-cost housing in France in 1956 called “Priory of Sion.” It dissolved in 1957.  Later he fabricated documents “proving” the bloodline and the secret society. Amazingly, he is an heir of Jesus! In 1993, he admitted, under oath, that he made up the whole story. (CDC, Garlow)

POINT 2-  The DVC attempts to cast doubt on the nature of the BIBLE.

WHAT IS THE MESSAGE OF BIBLE?  Redemption!

PEOPLE HATE to think they dont have a part to play in their redemption! 

Have you ever been unhappy with the truth -- it cuts to your heart??

   A.  TDVC says Bible is product of man… countless translations, additions, revisions. Never had a definitive version of the book (ch. 54)

         2 Peter 1:16-21; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 3:16; 1 Tim. 5:18

   B.   TDVC says Constantine collated Bible…rejected 70+ gospels  (ch.54)

         NT books began being circulated 60 AD. Official recognized list- 367AD.

   C.   TDVC - Constantine financed new Bible, rejected human gospels (ch.54)

             Constantine financed 50 copies. Gnostic gospels were better choice.

POINT 3-  The DVC attempts to cast doubt on the nature of JESUS.

1. TDVC claims Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene (ch. 58).

Not one single shred of literary evidence of Jesus being married. John the Baptist,the Essenes, and Paul remained unmarried. See  Matt 19:12

2. TDVC claims Jesus was considered only mortal human prophet (ch.60) and was upgraded to deity by Constantine (ch. 55) with a close vote.

The truth is that they affirmed Jesus’ co-eternality with the Father in a vote that was 300 to 2!  The idea of the Messiah as being deity (God) was well established in OT (Mic 5:2; Is 9:6; Jer 23:5-6), NT (John 1:1; Heb 1:3; Titus 2:13; Col 2:9), and early church (Ignatius 105AD,Clement 150, Justin Martyr 160, Melito 180, Irenaeus 180, Tertullian 200, Origen 225, Novatian 235).