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Bible Secrets, Bible Secrets, Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code, and the Gospel of Judas…and the Gospel of Judas…

How does the Bible hold up?How does the Bible hold up?

Attacks on the BibleAttacks on the Bible Incoherent! Fraught with inconsistenciesIncoherent! Fraught with inconsistencies Incomplete! Partisan and faulty compilingIncomplete! Partisan and faulty compiling

……a determinist sociological phenomenona determinist sociological phenomenon ……a product of mere coincidence, arbitrary a product of mere coincidence, arbitrary

decisions, or political agendasdecisions, or political agendas

Attacks on Attacks on JesusJesus as he is as he is presented in the Biblepresented in the Bible

Jesus is a mythical figure.Jesus is a mythical figure. Jesus is an overrated Bible character.Jesus is an overrated Bible character. Other wild claimsOther wild claims

Seeking to ‘expose’ the BibleSeeking to ‘expose’ the Bible

Expert skepticsExpert skeptics Uninformed skepticsUninformed skeptics Fiction enthusiastsFiction enthusiasts Wide readersWide readers Ordinary readersOrdinary readers

A question of evidenceA question of evidence

A study of the defense of the Bible A study of the defense of the Bible requires judgmentrequires judgment

Before you make a judgment, you Before you make a judgment, you need to look at need to look at allall the facts the facts

The Bible ExposedThe Bible Exposed

Ill-meaning attempts to ‘expose’ Ill-meaning attempts to ‘expose’ the truth about the Bible backfire the truth about the Bible backfire on the people who start them.on the people who start them.

Instead of the Bible getting Instead of the Bible getting ‘exposed,’ it’s the other way ‘exposed,’ it’s the other way around; people’s motives, faults, around; people’s motives, faults, and inconsistencies get exposed.and inconsistencies get exposed.

Bible ExposBible Exposéé #1 #1

The Gospel The Gospel

of Judasof Judas

What is the Gospel of Judas?What is the Gospel of Judas?

Historical Historical backgroundbackground

33rdrd /4 /4thth century doc century doc Coptic languageCoptic language

Judas, who is portrayed as ‘greater’ than the other apostles, was commissioned by Jesus to be the instrumental hero towards the ultimate goal: for (the true) Jesus to be ‘released’ from his mortal body

What is the Gospel of Judas?What is the Gospel of Judas?

The Gospel of Judas & GnosticismThe Gospel of Judas & Gnosticism

Gnosticism: from ‘gnosis’; hybrid Gnosticism: from ‘gnosis’; hybrid philosophical and religious system of philosophical and religious system of belief; emphases - ‘the all’, ‘flesh is belief; emphases - ‘the all’, ‘flesh is evil’, ‘elite knowledge’evil’, ‘elite knowledge’

Vocabulary & theology Vocabulary & theology Gnostic Gnostic leaningsleanings

Nag Hammadi documents (largely Nag Hammadi documents (largely Gnostic)Gnostic)

Related text: Gospel of ThomasRelated text: Gospel of Thomas

Problems with Gospel of JudasProblems with Gospel of Judas

Influence of Gnostic philosophyInfluence of Gnostic philosophy Late time of writing; at least 3 Late time of writing; at least 3

generations from the writing of the generations from the writing of the other gospels other gospels

Removed from Jesus’ lifetimeRemoved from Jesus’ lifetime Cryptic, non-orthodox teachingCryptic, non-orthodox teaching Does not pass the 1Does not pass the 1stst century ‘bios’ test century ‘bios’ test Not accepted by the early churchNot accepted by the early church

Rejection of false gospelsRejection of false gospels

What the earliest witnesses sayWhat the earliest witnesses say

2 Pe 1:16 “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”


Col 2:8-10 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.


Col 2:20-23 ….why, as though you still belonged to [the world], do you submit to its rules: "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? These are all destined to perish with use… Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

The Gospel of Judas-ConclusionsThe Gospel of Judas-Conclusions

Represents a later reaction (like other Represents a later reaction (like other Gnostic writings) on the original and Gnostic writings) on the original and earlier teaching of the apostlesearlier teaching of the apostles

Presents vocabulary and theology Presents vocabulary and theology different from OT, apostolic and early different from OT, apostolic and early church documents; explains rejectionchurch documents; explains rejection

Does not shed any light on our historical Does not shed any light on our historical understanding of Jesus and the NTunderstanding of Jesus and the NT

Bible ExposBible Exposé #2é #2

Dan Brown’s Dan Brown’s

““Da Vinci Da Vinci Code”Code”

Dan Brown’s Da Vinci CodeDan Brown’s Da Vinci Code

A novelA novel A suspenseful, thought-provoking plotA suspenseful, thought-provoking plot Includes an intro: “FACT:…All Includes an intro: “FACT:…All

descriptions of artwork, architecture, descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate.”novel are accurate.”

A novel nonethelessA novel nonetheless Category (per printer): FictionCategory (per printer): Fiction

Cracking the code…Cracking the code…

Impossibility of the storylineImpossibility of the storyline Misrepresentation of organizationsMisrepresentation of organizations


Inaccuracy of geographical dataInaccuracy of geographical dataRegino Cortes: Brown located 24 Rue Regino Cortes: Brown located 24 Rue

Haxo on the ‘western outskirts of Paris’ Haxo on the ‘western outskirts of Paris’ in the novel’s original English version. in the novel’s original English version. This error is so glaring that in the French This error is so glaring that in the French translation of the novel, it was changed translation of the novel, it was changed to 24 Rue de Longchamp.to 24 Rue de Longchamp.


Wrong information on art historyWrong information on art history

Art historian Denise Budd, Columbia Art historian Denise Budd, Columbia University: There is University: There is no real evidenceno real evidence at all at all that Leonardo da Vinci was a member of that Leonardo da Vinci was a member of the Priory of Sion or any other secret the Priory of Sion or any other secret organization. The documents that Dan organization. The documents that Dan Brown relied upon…appear to be 20Brown relied upon…appear to be 20thth century century forgeriesforgeries……

Cracking the code…Cracking the code… Wrong information on art historyWrong information on art history

Art historian Diane Cappadona of Georgetown Art historian Diane Cappadona of Georgetown University:University:

[On Brown’s supposition that the ‘John’ [On Brown’s supposition that the ‘John’ character in the Last Supper is really Mary] character in the Last Supper is really Mary] It nicely fits with feminist It nicely fits with feminist theology...However, that doesn’t make it theology...However, that doesn’t make it true…No, I do not believe that there is a true…No, I do not believe that there is a woman in the Last Supper and I do not woman in the Last Supper and I do not believe in any way that it is Mary Magdalene.believe in any way that it is Mary Magdalene.



Dan Brown guilty Dan Brown guilty of ‘stealing ideas?’of ‘stealing ideas?’


Impossibility of the storylineImpossibility of the storyline Misrepresentation of organizationsMisrepresentation of organizations Inaccurate geographyInaccurate geography Inaccurate art historyInaccurate art history Plagiarism anglePlagiarism angle

““FACT:…All descriptions FACT:…All descriptions of artwork, architecture, of artwork, architecture, documentsdocuments, and secret , and secret rituals in this novel are rituals in this novel are accurate.”accurate.”

Dan Brown’s introDan Brown’s intro

documentsdocuments

Claim #1 regarding documentsClaim #1 regarding documents

Ch 55, p.254: “As of the Ch 55, p.254: “As of the fourth century, fourth century, thousands thousands of documentsof documents already already existed chronicling His life existed chronicling His life as a mortal man.”as a mortal man.”

What are the documents out there?What are the documents out there?

1 Nag Hammadi library1 Nag Hammadi library2 NT Apocrypha (not same as OT 2 NT Apocrypha (not same as OT

apocrypha)apocrypha)3 Apostolic ‘Fathers’3 Apostolic ‘Fathers’4 Ante-Nicene documents4 Ante-Nicene documents5 Others - inscriptions, coins, etc.5 Others - inscriptions, coins, etc.


Ch 55, p.251: “More than Ch 55, p.251: “More than eighty gospelseighty gospels were were considered for the New considered for the New Testament, and yet only a Testament, and yet only a relative few were chosen for relative few were chosen for inclusion—Matthew, Mark, inclusion—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John among them”Luke, and John among them”

More than More than eightyeighty gospels? gospels?

Dan Brown is saying here that Dan Brown is saying here that aside from Matthew, Mark, aside from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, many dozens Luke, and John, many dozens of other ‘gospels’ were of other ‘gospels’ were considered in the selection considered in the selection process for the formation of process for the formation of the NT the NT canoncanon..

Let’s do the mathLet’s do the math

Number of Number of gospels other gospels other than Matthew, than Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Mark, Luke, and John actually John actually brought forward brought forward by the author or by the author or an apostle to be an apostle to be included in the included in the ‘canon’ =‘canon’ =0

Let’s do the mathLet’s do the math Number of ‘gospel’ Number of ‘gospel’

documents documents mentioned in mentioned in history but not history but not commended as commended as canonical canonical (accepted by (accepted by agreed standard) agreed standard) gospels = gospels =

Gospel of the HebrewsGospel of ThomasGospel of Judas

3


Number of Number of documents called documents called gospels and gospels and remotely remotely resembling the resembling the canonical gospels canonical gospels but largely rejected but largely rejected by Christians= by Christians=

Gospel of PeterGospel of PhilipGospel of Mary

3


Number of Number of documents documents called ‘gospels’ called ‘gospels’ even if they even if they have nothing to have nothing to do with the good do with the good news and were news and were largely ignored largely ignored = =

Gospel of the EgyptiansGospel of TruthGospel of the EbionitesGospel of NaassenesGospel of NazoreansGospel of BartholomewInfancy gospel of Thomas

7

Let’s do the mathLet’s do the mathGospels of Thomas (2)Gospel of JudasGospel of PhilipGospel of PeterGospel of MaryGospel of the EgyptiansGospel of TruthGospel of the EbionitesGospel of the HebrewsGospel of NaassenesGospel of NazoreansGospel of Bartholomew

13 total; all are 13 total; all are later writingslater writings

Can’t even be Can’t even be called ‘gospels’called ‘gospels’

Not seriously Not seriously considered by considered by early churchearly church

Where are the Where are the so-called ‘eighty so-called ‘eighty gospels’?gospels’?


Ch 55, p.251: “The Bible as we Ch 55, p.251: “The Bible as we know it today, was collated by know it today, was collated by the pagan Roman Emperor the pagan Roman Emperor Constantine the great…” p.254 Constantine the great…” p.254 “…Constantine commissioned “…Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible…”and financed a new Bible…”

Did Constantine collate the Bible?Did Constantine collate the Bible?

New Testament books were New Testament books were written by 100 written by 100 ADAD, and were in circulation already by that , and were in circulation already by that timetime

Constantine (and the Council of Nicaea, Constantine (and the Council of Nicaea, 325 AD) came 200 years later, and had 325 AD) came 200 years later, and had nothing to do with ‘choosing’ which books nothing to do with ‘choosing’ which books of the Bible would be included in the Canonof the Bible would be included in the Canon

Constantine commissioned the ‘copying’ of Constantine commissioned the ‘copying’ of Bibles, meaning there was already a Bible Bibles, meaning there was already a Bible to be copied!to be copied!

Dan, get your facts straight!Dan, get your facts straight!

90AD180AD

400BC

30AD

325AD

2200BC

OT Compile

d

OT Complete

d

NT Completed

NT 85% Compiled

Nicaea, Constantin

e

NT & Bible Compiled

380AD


Ch 55, p.254: “Some of the gospels Ch 55, p.254: “Some of the gospels that Constantine attempted to that Constantine attempted to eradicate managed to survive. The eradicate managed to survive. The Dead Sea Scrolls were found in the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in the 1950’s hidden in a cave…And of 1950’s hidden in a cave…And of course, the Coptic scrolls in 1945 at course, the Coptic scrolls in 1945 at Nag Hammadi…these documents Nag Hammadi…these documents speak of Christ’s ministry in very speak of Christ’s ministry in very human terms.”human terms.”

Do the Dead Sea Scrolls teach that Do the Dead Sea Scrolls teach that Jesus was merely human?Jesus was merely human?


Ch 55, p.254: “Some of the gospels Ch 55, p.254: “Some of the gospels that Constantine attempted to that Constantine attempted to eradicate managed to survive. The eradicate managed to survive. The Dead Sea Scrolls were found in the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in the 1950’s hidden in a cave…And of 1950’s hidden in a cave…And of course, the Coptic scrolls in 1945 at course, the Coptic scrolls in 1945 at Nag Hammadi…these documents Nag Hammadi…these documents speak of Christ’s ministry in very speak of Christ’s ministry in very human terms.”human terms.”

Comments on DVCComments on DVC

Bart Ehrman, University of North Bart Ehrman, University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill): Carolina (Chapel Hill):

There is no evidence that Jesus was There is no evidence that Jesus was ever married, let alone married to ever married, let alone married to Mary Magdalene.Mary Magdalene.


Harold Attridge, dean of Yale Divinity Harold Attridge, dean of Yale Divinity School: School:

[Brown] has “wildly misinterpreted” [Brown] has “wildly misinterpreted” early Christianity…if people are early Christianity…if people are intrigued by the historical questions, intrigued by the historical questions, there are plenty of materials out there are plenty of materials out there.there.


James Robinson, Claremont Graduate James Robinson, Claremont Graduate School, on the Da Vinci hubbub: School, on the Da Vinci hubbub:

We are a Jesus-haunted culture that’s We are a Jesus-haunted culture that’s biblically illiterate.biblically illiterate.


Skeptic Magazine (atheist magazine), Skeptic Magazine (atheist magazine), on Dan Brown’s research:on Dan Brown’s research:

““In matters of historical analysis, it is In matters of historical analysis, it is not possible to be more wrong than not possible to be more wrong than this.”this.”

Truths, Half-truths, LiesTruths, Half-truths, Lies

Mk 3:22 Mk 3:22 By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.

he is driving out demonsby the prince of demons

Problems with Da Vinci Code in the Problems with Da Vinci Code in the area of ‘documents’ onlyarea of ‘documents’ only

Erroneous statements on the gospelsErroneous statements on the gospels Confusion regarding early writings Confusion regarding early writings

and later reflectionsand later reflections Misunderstanding of the role of Misunderstanding of the role of

church councilschurch councils Inaccurate assessment of Inaccurate assessment of

Constantine’s role in 4Constantine’s role in 4thth cen cen ChristianityChristianity

More thoughts on the DVCMore thoughts on the DVC

G.K. Chesterson once wrote:G.K. Chesterson once wrote:

……we have made fiction to suit ourselves.we have made fiction to suit ourselves.

More thoughts on the DVCMore thoughts on the DVC

Curtis White, author of The Middle Mind: Curtis White, author of The Middle Mind: Why Americans Don’t Think for Why Americans Don’t Think for Themselves—The Da Vinci Code:Themselves—The Da Vinci Code:

……it is the popular expression of a desire for it is the popular expression of a desire for a kind of meaningfulness to life that is a kind of meaningfulness to life that is missing for most of us…it is [this] missing for most of us…it is [this] assumption that we’re willing to think assumption that we’re willing to think heretically in order to escape that fraud heretically in order to escape that fraud that makes Brown’s deepest appeal to his that makes Brown’s deepest appeal to his readers.readers.

Da Binchee hu?Da Binchee hu?

Leonardo Da Vinci Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519)(1452-1519)

Da Binchee hu?Da Binchee hu?

Renaissance painter, architect, Renaissance painter, architect, engineer, mathematician, scientist engineer, mathematician, scientist and philosopher and philosopher

He lived in the 15He lived in the 15thth century, 1400 century, 1400 years after Christ!years after Christ!

When did Da Vinci become an When did Da Vinci become an authority in religious truth?authority in religious truth?

Will you base your faith on this man?Will you base your faith on this man?

Conclusion on the DVCConclusion on the DVC

Dan Brown’s assertions on the roots Dan Brown’s assertions on the roots of Christianity are not just of Christianity are not just disturbing, but erroneous, his disturbing, but erroneous, his fallacy-laden arguments stemming fallacy-laden arguments stemming from extremely poor research, from extremely poor research, personal bias, or both.personal bias, or both.

Recommended ReadingRecommended Reading

On evidences/apologeticsOn evidences/apologetics““Evidence that Demands a Verdict”Evidence that Demands a Verdict”by Josh MacDowellby Josh MacDowell

On Bible text historyOn Bible text history““The Canon Debate” by Lee MacDonaldThe Canon Debate” by Lee MacDonald

On Church historyOn Church history““Church History in Plain Language”Church History in Plain Language”by Bruce Shelleyby Bruce Shelley

More to be posted at More to be posted at www.addtoyourlearning.comwww.addtoyourlearning.com

The Bible ExposedThe Bible Exposed

Attempts to ‘expose’ the truth Attempts to ‘expose’ the truth about the Bible backfire on the about the Bible backfire on the people who started them.people who started them.

Instead of the Bible getting Instead of the Bible getting ‘exposed,’ it’s the other way ‘exposed,’ it’s the other way around; people’s motives, faults, around; people’s motives, faults, and inconsistencies get exposed.and inconsistencies get exposed.

You will find out…

That it’s a GREAT BOOK!

If you really expose the Bible…If you really expose the Bible…

What’s so great about the Bible?What’s so great about the Bible?

1. Unbelievable Unity1. Unbelievable Unity

Around 40 authors, 3 languages, 3 Around 40 authors, 3 languages, 3 continentscontinents

Written in a span of about 1500 years Written in a span of about 1500 years in very different contextsin very different contexts

Coherent, singleness of thoughtCoherent, singleness of thought


2.2. Amazing AccuracyAmazing Accuracy

Contains factual information which Contains factual information which corresponds with realitycorresponds with reality

Contains incidental information which Contains incidental information which corresponds with truthful accountcorresponds with truthful account


3.3. Terrific ToughnessTerrific Toughness

Withstood the tests of time and Withstood the tests of time and troubletrouble

Bernard Ramm: .. No other book Bernard Ramm: .. No other book has been has been chopped, knived, sifted, scrutinized, and vilified


4. 4. Incredible ImpactIncredible Impact

The number one best seller of all timeThe number one best seller of all time Translated into more than 2,200 Translated into more than 2,200

languages and dialectslanguages and dialects UBS sells around 50,000 /dayUBS sells around 50,000 /day Changed lives the world overChanged lives the world over

Conclusion – The Bible ExposedConclusion – The Bible Exposed

What do we do with the Bible?

Ps 119:18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in

your law

Conclusion – The Bible ExposedConclusion – The Bible Exposed

• Learn it!

• Love it!

• Live it!

THE BIBLETHE BIBLE

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