I really didn’t want to blog about this. It’s become a major talking point though so here is my (optimistically increasing the value of his comments) half-penny’s worth. (p.s. do you remember the half penny? you used to be able to buy a half penny sweet with it, how cool was that. And that was post decimilsation as well)
The book to read (after the da vinci code) is Cracking Da Vinci’s code by James L.Garlow and Peter Jones. It sets out where the factual inaccuracies are in the novel and claims that Dan Brown had an anti-Christian agenda when he wrote the novel. This may or may not be true but he’s certainly had an impact on people’s beliefs, with a high percentage (I can’t find the article now, sorry) of people questioned saying that they believe that the church did actually kill 5 million women!
The question and answer below, from here is also really interesting:
Bethesda, Md. : Dan Brown does stay this is a work of Fiction. Why do you think so many people including the church is taking it literally?
Darrell L. Bock: Because on national television more than once he said he researched the backdrop carefully and the theories he presented are true, including saying that if he were writing nonfiction he would not change a thing.
I have to say, I enjoyed the book, it was entertaining and a light read. Good novel and I went on to read a couple of other things. The reason why a lot of Christians are taking a stand against this book is that it actually does seem to be convincing people that the bible is not true and that there was a conspiracy.
I continue with the suggestion that if you are puzzled or believe in the Da Vinci code, read the bible, investigate its claims and check out the evidence yourself. I’m not even going to point you in one specific direction for that. If you, on the other hand, want the Christian perspective on the Da Vinci code, try the book above.
Is it worth going to see the film?
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Yeah totally with you on this one man. Brown more than bent the facts: he twisted them out of recognition. Apparently the Gnostic gospels that Brown leans on so heavily are actually predated by the original New Testament gospels themselves. This totally dismisses the claims by Brown that he is exposing the real roots of Christianity. The book is a good work of fiction; nothing else.
I don’t know much about the film but it has received poor reviews. Someone I know says it’s not exactly riveting but still watchable. You can read more at my blog http://flyingiguanas.blogspot.com/. Oh and please post a comment. i don’t get many. Cheers. keep up the good work.
Yes, the books of the new testament were dated prior to ad70 but the earliest for the gnostics was ad150 - a nice 80 years for some punters to rewrite the gospel and add some myth. On the other hand, within 70 years means that there would still be people alive that had heard Jesus speak - so could be easily verified or disproved. Nice try Mr Brown but it doesn’t wash.
Thanks for your comment General.