Decoding
The DaVinci Code
By Sallee
Wade
A number of people I know
that read Dan BrownÕs book said they couldnÕt put it down. I tried, but
couldnÕt get into it. Then all the hype about The DaVinci Code turning traditional
Christianity on its ear made me curious to see the film. Anyway, I like Tom
Hanks. So, joined by two friends whoÕd read the book, I trudged off to see the
film. After 30 minutes, I wished IÕd stayed home and put the second coat of
paint on my purple picnic table! I nearly fell asleep twice. I couldÕve rented
an old James Bond movie or watched CSI on TV, except I donÕt much care for
those either. How on earth, I asked myself, could this film be causing such a
flap? My friends loved it! So did two others I talked to the next day.
Something in me must be missing.
I am intrigued however, by
the possibility that Jesus may indeed, have had a special, even preferred
relationship with Mary Magdalene, which the official church kept repressed for
its own reasons. That theory is not new. In the mid 90Õs, after watching Bill
Moyers host a fascinating Public Television series on the gospels discovered in
1945 at Nag Hamadi, I poured through and pondered several copies of those
published translations, including Th e Gospel of Mary and the Gospel of
Thomas, which
received much interest by respected scholars. IÕve further learned since that
in JesusÕ day and time, it would have been unusual for a young rabbi not to be married. So to the
issue of Jesus being married, I say, so what? Does that change in any way the
power of His message to mankind? Does it change what He came to do, and
actually did, that forever changed the world?
This film seems more a
reflection of what our fast action, romance-addicted, collective imagination wants
to
believe, than what it might have been, had the film seriously explored the real
issues. WeÕve become a nation of fast food and fast-action folk, increasingly
educated by commercial media and the entertainment industry. The idea of Jesus
marrying Mary Magdalene and having children makes them each more like
ourselves. We could then embark upon a search for their descendants living in
our time, one of which might be us! Why not? In the movie, that Ôlast living
descendentÕ turns out to be the drop-dead-gorgeous Ôcryptologist,Õ dressed like
a high-level secretary, who races from crises to crisis on three-inch heels,
and doesnÕt believe in God! She and the ÔprofessorÕ (Tom Hanks) are mirrors of
the sophisticated, fast-track idols that capture us weekly on crime TV!
Many of us, including me,
actually know little about the history of early Christianity. ItÕs been said
that people who know nothing will believe anything, especially if it fulfills a
desire or need. And that may be precisely where the popularity of The DaVinci
Code lies.
Could it be that many folk
in our time, ÒreligiousÓ or not, have a longing, deep in their psyche, to know
this Jesus in some more human way than church history or their previous church
experience has provided them? Might we also long to know ÔMary,Õ not only as
the Holy Virgin Mother — or — a ÔprostituteÕ (as sheÕs been
erroneously labeled), but in the Magdalene, as a flesh and blood woman of our
own hidden history, fully capable and worthy of a sacred, perhaps even
preferred apostolic relationship to the Son of God? Now that, if it were true,
could be powerful. That could change the way we view the feminine role in the
historical evolution of Christianity.
Having been graced (or
cursed) with a liberal arts background, I question everything, including God
sometimes. A pastor friend of mine recently shared several articles found on
the internet, all by thoughtful biblical scholars, responding to The DaVinci
Code. From
these, it appears Dan Brown doesnÕt have a number of his historical Ôfads'
straight, despite his claims in the novel. IÕll share a few here that reveal
why people who know better may be upset with BrownÕs tale. In addition to the
part about Jesus having married Mary Magdalene and having a child, BrownÕs
novel claims:
— Prior to time of the Roman
emperor Constantine in the 4th Century, Jesus was considered merely a prophet
and mortal. Constantine himself conspired to deify Jesus at the Council of
Nicea in 325 AD. for his own political reasons.
Written history reveals
that JesusÕ deity was historically established over 200 years before
Constantine convened the Council of Nicea. From the first days of the Christian
church, Jesus was regarded as more than mortal. Most followers worshipped him
as Lord — the Creator of the universe. About 30 years after His death and
resurrection, Paul wrote to the Philippians that Jesus was indeed God in human
form (Philippians 2: 6 - 7). Also the familiar passage that opens Gospel of
John, describing Jesus as the Word that became flesh, was first found in a
manuscript carbon-dated 175-225 AD
— At the Council of Nicea, the
vote to deify Jesus won by only a very narrow margin.
Of the 318 bishops from
throughout the Christian world, only two dissented. Arius believed that the
Father alone was God, and Jesus was His supreme creation. The Council finally
concluded that Jesus and the Father were of the same Divine essence.
— Constantine himself personally
selected the books of the New Testament, and along with the bishops, altered
them to re-invent Jesus.
The New Testament was
already widely in use 200 years before Constantine, and encompassed hundreds of
thousands, if not millions, of believers, all of whom were familiar with the
New Testament accounts.
On May 26, NBC TVÕs Dateline,
devoted
the entire program to sorting through The DaVinci Code claims. In addition to lots
more discrepancies, it was revealed that the ÔSangreal DocumentsÕ (reputed to
contain the secret, handwritten family tree tracing the bloodline of Jesus and
Mary Magdalene to present day) donÕt exist. These were the fraudulent fantasy
of Pierre Plantard, in Holy Blood Holy Grail, published in 1983 with a
similar plot regarding Jesus and Mary Magdalene.
So Dan Brown created a
lively novel. Now its a blockbuster movie. Lots of folks may be swallowing it
whole, along with their popcorn. But others are asking questions, attending
discussions and reading the growing list of books written to de-bunk it.
Meanwhile, some of us like me are learning more about our own history!
If The DaVinci Code brings people closer to
God, and the powerful Story in which we all live, that could be a good thing.
Jesus said, ÒYou shall know the truth, and the truth will make you freeÓ (John
8:32). He also said ÒSee that you not be misled, for many will come in My
name... (Luke 21: 8)
So read the book. Go see
the movie. See whatÕs true for you. As for spiritual fast-food, itÕs sorta like
popcorn. It might sound good, smell good and taste good, especially if youÕre
hungry. But it wonÕt provide much real nutrition. DonÕt let it spoil your
supper.
06/08/06