The Da Vinci Code - fact, fiction, or heresy?

self | 1 September, '03 | J, King

[The Right Stuff]

The recent bestseller, "The Da Vinci Code" purports to unveil timeless Christian mysteries, such as the myth of the "Holy Grail". For most, the Holy Grail means the chalice which Christ drank from at the Last Supper - "After He had given thanks, He bid them, "drink" "this is My blood of the New Covenant.."

For author Dan Brown, the Grail is actually the personage of Mary Magdelene, in Scripture a redeemed prostitute, in DVC the wife of Jesus Christ and the mother of his children.

In Mr. Brown's world, the early church found it necessary to suppress the "goddess" woman centered pagan religion by a) demonizing women (i.e. the apple and Eve) and b) stealing pagan ceremonies for its own (see: Christmas).

Much of Mr. Brown's theory is laughable, although the book is an enjoyable and fast paced read. Let the scholars debate:

Although many "creation" and "flood" myths are similar, don't the Hebrew ones predate them all?
Ditto with the virgin or godly inspired birth (see Leda and the swan in Greek mythology)

Have at it, guys..

[Queen Jadis]

I had the same experience with the book. I have read about half way through and could take it or leave it probably the latter. It's "fast" pace does not create suspense for me. This book is the MTVisation of fiction...both in it's blatant derogatory tone to religion and it's fast careless pace.

Thanks for reminding me about "Holy Blood Holy Grail" another person to whom I was complaining about "The Da Vince Code" reccomended it.

[Queen Jadis]

LOL

[Rutabega]

Wow--I have been an avid reader of books of Mary Magdalene and the Gnostics and have never come across any mention of them 'annointing one another with semen'--could you give me some information here?

[Rutabega]

Sorry, jumped the gun there and posted without reading further.

Why did you do a google search for 'Gnostics and Semen' anyway? LOL...

[Kaslin]

Why did you do a google search for 'Gnostics and Semen' anyway? LOL...

Who says I did? *G*

[marbren]

The problem is that people who believe this trash end up in HELL.

[Ichneumon]

Response: None of the above. The book is blasphemy.

Well then go ahead and issue a fatwah against Brown, so he can join Salman Rushdie, and you can join the jihad.

[Ichneumon]

The problem is that people who believe this trash end up in HELL.

Ooookay....

What the heck, I'll bite -- what exactly in the book would lead someone to "HELL" if they otherwise accepted God, etc.?

[SoftballMominVA]

Okay here's a question. Let's just for a moment accept his point that Jesus was married and had a child or children. I keep coming up (in my mind) with a shrug and a "so what?"

The Bible clearly states he was God made man. A man gets married and has children. The children would still be human children, not half gods. Am I missing something?

The stuff about the Sacred Feminine was just annoying and got in the way of a pretty good murder mystery.

[Wormwood]

I'm catholic. I have three family members in Opus Dei--good people doing good works.

Is the book blasphemous? Of course.

But popular culture overflows with blasphemy. You can't throw a rock without hitting someone who hates or mocks the devout.

No fatwa called, no jihad planned. I just shake my head and move on with my life.

[InvisibleChurch]

the book is listed as 'fiction'

[SoftballMominVA]

Peter was married. The Bible mentions his mother in law.

[SoftballMominVA]

Do you know if any in Opus Dei practice self flagelation as depicted in the book?

[SoftballMominVA]

Matthew 8:14

Jesus entered the house of Peter, and saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever.

[gorush]

"The Da Vinci Code - fact, fiction, or heresy?"

Probably!

[Wormwood]

As far as I know (this being a fairly private matter), the people I know who are active in Opus Dei (Grandfather, 2 Uncles) do not use any such implements.

Yes, there are some in the organization who do.

Shrug.

[SoftballMominVA]

Interesting, I was wondering if he made that part up.

I agree with you though--shrug

[dinodino]

No, there are creation and flood epics older than the Hebrew, on which the Hebrew myths were based.

[Wormwood]

Someone post the entire Enuma Elish.

That'll keep everyone busy for a while ;-)

[joonbug]

Just finished it. Good story with provocative ideas. I am looking forward to his other books.