How does a Christian prepare to face the debates brought on by “The Da Vinci Code?” Here are some of author Dan Brown’s assertions, followed by grounded answers:
• Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene, and the couple had a daughter, Sarah. (Chapters 58, 60)
There is no spark of evidence of this from antiquity, “even where one might expect to find such claims in the bizarre … apocryphal gospels,” according to ancient history expert Paul Maier. And even if there were, “I would have to weigh this evidence against the total absence of such information in either Scripture or the early church traditions,” he said.
• Jesus commanded that Mary Magdalene should lead the church, and Peter was jealous of her because of this. (Chapter 58)
The claim of Peter’s jealousy relies solely on the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, a Gnostic gospel (a key element of Gnosticism is divine revelation). And even in this gospel, no evidence is given of a command for her to lead the church.
• Jesus’ followers viewed Him as a mere mortal. Constantine and the Council of Nicaea later voted to decide His divinity, throwing out the gospels that showed He was only human and keeping the ones that showed He was divine. (Chapter 55)
If Jesus was viewed by His followers as a mortal, then where did Constantine get the Gospels that showed Him as a divine being? There is also no historical evidence that the Council of Nicaea discussed anything pertaining to the canon.
Also the Gospel of Thomas, which was omitted from the Bible, has a portrayal of the boy Jesus performing miracles.
Source: “The Da Vinci Code: A Quest for Answers” by Josh McDowell
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