The Da Vinci Code – is FICTION!
Many authors who write historical fiction go to great lengths to get their research efforts accurate – so their work reflects historical truths, even when mixed with a fictional storyline. Dan Brown claims his work in the Da Vinci Code is fact, not fiction, but many minor and major historical flaws can be found in his story (and of course, in the movie). So what are some of the flaws…?
Small flaws include:
· The Priory of Sion was a hoax set up in 1954, not 1098 – thus Leonardo da Vinci could not be a member
· Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Last Supper’ includes feminine looking male figures because that was typical of the Renaissance portrayal of holy or saintly men, not because Mary Magdalene was present (how would da Vinci know anyway?).
· There is no academic field called “Religious Symbology” at Harvard University
· There are 698 tiles in the Louvre Pyramid, not 666
· The Paris road system is inaccurately described during car sequences.
Large scale flaws include:
· One major flaw is that Constantine invented Christianity, or that the early Christians didn’t believe that Jesus is Lord. Early Christians, well before his time actually suffered and died for proclaiming that Jesus was Lord.
· That the Bible was collated by Constantine the Great (272-337AD). Much of the Bible (Old Testament) existed well before his time, and had been studied for centuries (even by Christ himself), while the Gnostic gospels were written after 200A.D. The canonical gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) were written between 50 and 100A.D.
· That Jesus was married. There is no mention of this in the 4 gospels, nor do any other ancient historians write of this. Dan Brown’s translation is incorrect identifying him as ‘spouse’, when ‘companion’ was what was meant in context and language.
· That Jesus was just a man – when in fact He is the son of God.
To find out more: read one of the gospels found in the Bible, speak with Reverend Wilson or other teachers at school, or visit your local church and make some enquiries.
Useful references include: Bock, D. 2004. Breaking the Da Vinci Code. Nashville, Tennessee. Nelson Books.
Garlow, J. & Jones, P. 2004. Cracking Da Vinci’s Code. Colorado Springs, Colorado. Victor.
Gumbel, N. 2005. The Da Vinci Code: A Response. London, Alpha International.
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