Cracking Da Vinci's Code - Digest

Highly recommended, very easy to read, yet well-researched. The chapters are subdivided mostly into three sections describing the major historical/theological claims of The Da Vinci Code (DVC), a Christian rebuttal to these claims, and short narrative in each chapter about a hypothetical college student's related experience. If you want to head straight for the claims and rebuttal, and by-pass the narrative, it is very easy to do. But the narrative is quite useful in understanding the types of arguments and beliefs you can encounter with devotees of DVC and how to respond to them. The narrative describes the student's doubts about Christianity, the pagan rituals that go along with DVC, and the responses of Christians who gently lead her to the real truth. It also has a good series of questions that can be used for a group study situation. The index is available only on the Internet. A few examples from this book showing the lunacy of buying-into DVC follow. "The Priory of Sion," claimed to be the keeper of the secrets since the Middle Ages, is a complete hoax, started in France in the 1950s by a person who thought himself to be heir to the French throne (112). Nearly all of the New Testament was documented as recognized scripture by no later than 200 AD, or 125 years before the Council of Nicaea (142), contrary to DVC's claim. Christ's divinity was not decided by a "close vote" at Nicaea as claimed by DVC: the vote was "two" against and over 300 "for" (96). In summary, this book adeptly exposes the major supposed "facts" that Dan Brown claims DVC is based on as a series of neat deceptions and lies, and built upon the wishful thinking of the aging New Age Movement.

Christian apologists have been quick to respond to the historical inaccuracies taught in The Da Vinci Code. However, few have done much work on one of its central themes, "the sacred feminine," which is deeply rooted in a pagan worldview. Pastor James Garlow and Dr. Peter Jones co-authored Cracking Da Vinci's Code to respond to the historical errors of Dan Brown's novel, as well as its paganism. Garlow and Jones begin with a chapter explaining why they wrote their book. "Cracking Da Vinci's Code is for you if you have stopped to ponder Brown's `code' woven into his novel. It is for you if you are now questioning all you have learned about Jesus. We are writing for you if you are now saying, `I once thought of Jesus as the Son of God, but I guess I was wrong. He is simply a man after all.' For your sake, and His, we feel we must respond." (23) The first issue addressed is Brown's characterization of sex and the Christian view of it. Garlow points out that, "Sex is God's idea, and second to salvation, it's the best idea He ever shared with us." (51) The authors go on to discuss the "sacred feminine," Jesus, historical revisionism, the canon of scripture, the Gnostic gospels, secret knowledge, and pagan symbols. The conclude by showing that, "Under the guise of a novel, The Da Vinci Code is an ideological call to arms." According to them, it is a call to embrace pagan monism. They ultimately present to the reader a choice between paganism and Biblical theism. At the beginning of each chapter is a brief narrative about their own fictional character, Carrie Williams. Carrie is a practical agnostic who is attracted to the claims of The Da Vinci Code, but she's turned off by her extremely pagan roommate. In the middle of the book is a foldout color insert of The Last Supper, explaining its history and the figures in it. In the back is a reader's guide with four to five questions for each chapter to help facilitate reflection and discussion, as well as a spread of others books for further reading. Cracking Da Vinci's Code covers a wide range of issues, but hones in on the most important- the underlying worldview of pagan monism. The authors carefully explain each point and argument, showing the weaknesses of Brown's claims and worldview. The narrative about Carrie reminds us that the issues being dealt with are of practical and eternal importance. By the end of the book, James Garlow and Peter Jones have offered an excellent exposition of The Da Vinci Code as well as a clear and compelling case for the truth of biblical Christianity.

This book is a must read for anyone who has read The DaVinci Code and has had their faith shaken by it. The DaVinci Code is purportedly based on historical facts, but it is not. This book will explain why, in easy to understand writing. One of the claims The DaVinci Code makes is that the Gnostic Gospels were deliberately left out of the Bible to supress the so-called truth. The authors show you how that cannot be possible. This book also explains why the Gnostic Gospels are unacceptable as the truth.

I would like to begin this review by stating that not all those who read and enjoy this book are Christians who felt shaken by the DeVinci Code. Quite the contrary, I read brown's account of history and was so irritated by his blatant disregard of proven historical documentation and references. That is why I was so glad that Cracking the...code was written. It was a great response to Brown's work and gave me a sense of peace that those who are floundering or looking for a religion have an answer for Brown's very convincing lies. There is a reason that Brown's books can be found in the fiction section and Cracking the devinci code is not. Despite brown's prologue about his book being entirely fictional, it is simply a great novel. Very compelling, a fast read and an exciting mystery to say the least...however, it is not a history lesson. If you want the real truth and the real facts, Read CRACKING THE DeVINCI CODE.

REASONS TO READ THIS BOOK 1. These authors know what they are writing about. Between the two of them they hold degrees in theology and history from Asbury Theological Seminary, Drew University, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Harvard Divinity School, Princeton Theological Seminary, and the University of Wales. Between the two of them, they have authored 14 books (not fictious novels). 2. Previous reviews are sharply divided. It has been my experience that some books are loved by everyone and some are hated by everyone, but the real thought-provoking books (such as The Da Vinci Code) also provoke great emotion and debate. 3. In spite of the title this is not a book about Brown's novel, but about a rising challenge to traditional Christian theology behind the novel. Many people remind us, "It's only a fictious novel!", but after seeing the newer editions, teaching cds, and books tied to "The Da Vinci Code" the serious person must conclude that there is more. 4. The book is designed for small group study. At the end of the book is a personal study guide and addresses to three web pages for further information. WARNING! This book is blatantly evangelistic with its message. This could prove distasteful and hard to overcome for many readers. It begins each chapter with a short portion of a fictional story. The authors must have thought they needed this, but I think they went over the top a bit and almost made themselve appear paranoid. If you have the ability to get past this flaw, you will learn a lot from this book.