The Da Vinci Code Debate

Rev. Dr. W. C. Champion

General Secretary of Evangelism and Mission

Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

 The Da Vinci Code, which has become a worldwide best seller, took even its accomplished author by surprise. Dan Brown, the author confessed, "I never imagined so many people would be enjoying it this much”. Since it was first released in 2003, Brown's book has sold more than thirty-six million copies and been translated into forty-four languages.. .and counting.  It has spawned its own industry of sorts, including a special illustrated edition (with 160 illustrations interspersed with the text), guides on how to read the book, rebuttals, parodies, and an ABC television documentary.

The plot of the novel revolves around the murder of the elderly curator of the Louvre, in Paris. Because the victim is surrounded with baffling clues and ciphers, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is called in to solve the riddle. Langdon's investigation unites him with French cryptologist, Sophie Neveu, and together they uncover the late curator's involvement in a secret society whose members included Leonardo Da Vinci, among others. Their inquiry into a murder quickly becomes a quest to expose an ancient conspiracy and discover a shocking and priceless religious relic, suppressed for centuries.

The Da Vinci Code has ignited a  resurgence of interest in Leonardo da Vinci, and conspiracy theories, as well as a general interest in theories about Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and the early history of  Christianity. 

Around the world, those who have been fascinated by The Da Vinci Code-whether by the book, the movie, or both-are interested in delving deeper into artistic, historical, and spiritual mysteries. For many, Dan Brown's intriguing characters and conspiracies have opened new doors, posed new questions, and launched them on an exhilarating quest for answers. Mil/ions of people want to know more about the secret societies mentioned in The Da Vinci Code. They're intrigued by the hints of mystery religions and evidences of "the sacred feminine" in the history of Christianity. They're hungry for more details about Jesus, Mary Magdalene, their relationship, and the Holy Grail. They're interested in all the twists and turns "the truth" took from the time of Jesus to the councils during the time of Emperor Constantine.

Josh McDowell  book as the subtitle suggests,  is a quest for answers, a further exploration of themes the novel introduced. And, like the novel, this book is itself a mere beginning, for the topics  discussed throughout the book  launches a lifelong journey of discovery. The chapters are structured as a series of conversations. Like the Davinci Code the characters are fictional, but their discussions are based on real conversations, and the information they exchange is as real as the computer you are reading this information from.

Unlike Dan Brown, McDowell  as much as possible, has carefully  supplied footnotes for  every claim that is made and every reference that is cited. McDowell’s  book is designed primarily for those who have read The Da Vinci Code or seen the movie, but  a familiarity with the novel is not necessary to enjoy and profit from this small volume. I bring these to books to the attention of the members of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church because the Church is facing the challenge brought about by Dan Brown’s book which in my opinion is an attack against the foundation of Christian Belief, “The authenticity of Jesus the Christ”.

The DaVinci Code, though it is a dynamic best seller mystery novel, is having an influence on  many who are searching for answers about Christianity. The DaVinci Code is having a very negative impact on people who want to know if  the story of Jesus is true. You only have to read the book to see that there are pages with many untruths as it relates to the life of Jesus and the Church.  The Church must be prepared to answer the questions people will be asking as a result of their reading The Davinci Code or seeing the movie. This is why I am encouraging members of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and especially the clergy to read both  Dan Brown’s “The Davinci Code” and Josh McDowell’s “A Quest For Answers: The DaVinci Code”.