The May 19, 2006 release of the movie, The Da Vinci Code, which is based on Dan Brown’s popular novel, is sure to stimulate discussion in our culture and in the local church even more than the novel has accomplished. Many of the “claims” asserted in the novel challenge the biblical, historical and theological foundations that define the apostolic witness of genuine Christianity.

For eleven weeks in the spring semester at Nashotah House, we have examined the most significant assertions offered in the novel, with a view toward articulating the distinctions that have defined Christianity throughout its history. Our sessions have been led by four members of the regular faculty at Nashotah House and five distinguished visiting lecturers from institutions in the Milwaukee and Chicago areas. As a resource that we hope will serve Christians who want to be better informed about the DaVinci Code, we are pleased to be able to offer summaries of the eleven class sessions and a list of recommended reading material.

If you have questions about Nashotah House's course, A Christian Response to the DaVinci Code, please contact Dr. Carol Klukas, Director of Admissions, (262) 646-6547.

 

 

Schedule of Lectures– “Christian Response to The Da Vinci Code”
Click on a title to read a summary of the lecture.

Date  - Topic Instructor
     
1/31/06 Introduction Dr. Timothy Johnson, Nashotah House
  Identifies the key claims of the novel. View an ABC News report with Dan Brown. What’s at stake?
     
2/7/06 Did Jesus write “Q” or live at Qumran? Dr. Timothy Johnson, Nashotah House
  Examines key claims from the novel and compares them with the biblical record
     
2/14/06 Who was Mary Magdalene? Dr. Donald Rappé, Mount Mary College
  Offers a biblical and extra-biblical Portrait of Mary of Magdala
     
2/21/06 The Gospel Canon: Four-fold or Four-score? Dr. Nicholas Perrin, Wheaton College
  Examines how we have the text we know as the New Testament
     
2/28/06 Gnosticism: Something Old, Something New? Dr. Nicholas Perrin, Wheaton College
  Explores the Nag Hamadi finds and Gnosticism
     
3/7/06 Did Constantine “Rig” the Council of Nicea? Dr. Michel Barnes, Marquette University
  What role did the Emperor Constantine play in establishing Christian doctrine?
     
3/14/06 Was Jesus’ Divinity based on a Vote? Dr. Mel Lawrenz, Elmbrook Church
  The Early Church and the Divinity of Christ
     
3/21/06 Could Jesus have been married? Fr. Thomas Holtzen, Nashotah House
  Discusses sexuality and the divine and the impact that a married Jesus would have on Christian doctrine
     
3/28/06 Leonardo Da Vinci meets Fr. Klukas Fr. Arnold Klukas, Nashotah House
  Claims regarding Da Vinci’s art, particularly his painting “The Last Supper” -- observations regarding the intersection of Theology and Art
     
4/4/06 Roman Catholicism in the Cross-Hairs Dr. Christopher Wolfe, Marquette University.
  The role of Opus Dei and the Vatican in the novel and in reality
     
4/11/06 The Church's Ministry and The Da Vinci Code Fr. Douglas McGlynn, Nashotah House
  Practical ways to address questions raised by the novel in ministry of the local church
     

Essential Reading

  1. Bock, Darrell L.  Breaking the Da Vinci Code.  Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2004.
  2. McKechnie, Paul.  The First Christian Centuries.  Downers Grove, IL: Apollos, 2001.

 

Select Bibliography

  1. Ehrman, Bart.  The Truth Behind the Da Vinci Code: A Historian Explores What We Really Know About Jesus, Mary Magdalene and Constantine.  Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004.
  2. Garlow, James and Peter Jones.  Cracking Da Vinci’s Code.  Colorado Springs: Victor, 2004.
  3. Jones, Greg.  Beyond Da Vinci.  New York: Seabury Press, 2004.
  4. Lunn, Martin.  Da Vinci Code Decoded.  New York: The Disinformation Co., 2004.
  5. Olson, Carl E. and Sandra Miesel.  The Da Vinci Hoax: Exposing the Errors in the Da Vinci Code.  San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2004
  6. Wellborn, Amy.  De-coding Da Vinci: The Facts Behind the Fiction of the Da Vinci Code.  Hungtington, IN: Our Sunday Visitor, 2004.
  7. Witherington, Ben.  The Gospel Code.  Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2004.

 

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