Dan Brown's thriller The DaVinci Code has attracted worldwide attention. It's a ripping good work of fiction -- but it makes certain claims about the history of the early church that simply beg clarification. Ordinarily I would have just left well enough alone -- for it is a work of fiction and it's meant to be fun. But Brown's work has stirred up lots of stuff in the popular media asking "how true can this be?"
The action has really heated up in the past few months on this project -- more books and websites than anyone can digest. This is not a lens that addresses the art or tourist sites in the book -- this is a lens that deals with the truth about the early church (and beyond). Read and enjoy.
Links to unlock the puzzle
- Decoding the DaVinci Code -- class notes
- When the book first came out, I put together a class exploring the real history. This link is to the note pages I handed out in class. I paid particular attention to the documents of the early church that we have in abundance (looking at the first 300 years of the church -- the time BEFORE Constantine supposedly "made the whole thing up" as Dan Brown asserts in the book.
- Expressions: the DaVinci Code
- A really terriffic British site complete with all kinds of information on Mary Magdalene, Opus Dei, secret gospels, etc. It's designed as an answer to the film. Well done and worth spending some time there.
- Why I'm thankful for the DaVinci Code
- A blog post I put together about how the DaVinci Code drove me to the early church documents -- this one focusing on the writings of Justin Martyr (early 2nd century).
- Why the 'lost gospels' lost out
- Christianity today article talking about why the "other" gospels weren't included in the New Testament Canon.
- Decoding the DaVinci Code
- Christian History's special issue chock full of articles about the council of Nicea, the many books refuting the DaVinci Code, and responses from readers.
- Chuck Colson's articles
- A quick list of Chuck Colson's work on the DaVinci Code -- several really good and pithy articles here worth your attention.
- Dr. Trevelyan's Da Vinci Conversation
- A lovely parody of the Da Vinci Code -- worth visiting for a smile or two. Along the way, you'll find embedded links to really great resources.
- Overview of DaVinci Code Resources
- World Magazine has a great article comparing 4 books about the DaVinci Code. Also cites some interesting online references.
- The Norman Rockwell Code
- We cant be all serious all the time -- check out this great parody of the DaVinci Code.
- The Da Vinci Dialogue
- Scholars and theologians from across the spectrum -- Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox -- all join in on this website. Also contains views on how to make use of this film in these interesting times.
- Chris Yeo's blog posts on the DaVinci Code
- Chris Yeo is a Squidoo Lens Master, a technophile, and a Christian. He's been working through the DaVinci Code on his blog -- assessing different resources (including this very lens!). I've linked to the May archives -- but keep an eye on his blog -- he'll be revisiting the DaVinci Code from time to time.
Helpful books for your quest
Early Church Documents -- read them for yourself
- Schaff's Early Church Fathers Vol 1
- Just one volume in the massive series covering the early part of church history -- read and browse through these documents and see what the 1st and 2nd century church really thought about Jesus.
- Justin Maryr's first apology
- See what Justin wrote to the emperor in defending Christians against being persecuted (what persecued? Yes, Christians were indeed thrown to the lions -- would they do that for a sham?)
Flickr Pictures with DaVinci tag
by beta328
Russell Smith is a pastor, husband, father, son, brother, and friend. Living in Cincinnati, OH, he pastors Covenant-First Presbyterian Church. ... more »
- 1 featured lens
- Winner of 3 trophies!
- Top lens » Shakespeare and Christian Themes
- This lens » Selected as Lens of the Day
Explore related pages
- Velankanni - A Popular Holy Place in Tamil Nadu Velankanni - A Popular Holy Place in Tamil Nadu
- The Middle Ages The Middle Ages
- Who Was Saint Patrick? Who Was Saint Patrick?
- Corrie Ten Boom Life - Tribute to Heroine Corrie Ten Boom Life - Tribute to Heroine
- Learn About The Middle Ages (Medieval times) Learn About The Middle Ages (Medieval times)
- Jesus’ Body Found!!! Jesus’ Body Found!!!
