Breaking The Da Vinci Code – Christian History

Is it possible that Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code threatens to undermine more than the belief in a historically accurate Bible? Is it possible that what is at stake with this phenomenon goes deeper than whether or not the accounts in the Bible are historically accurate?

Collin Hansen of Christianity Today draws our attention to the fact the Dan Brown’s novel challenges not only the Church’s historical understanding of the process of canonization but ultimately our theological understanding of the nature of our triune God. Hansen says, “Brown’s claims resemble those of Arius and his numerous heirs throughout history, who have contradicted the united testimony of the apostles and the early church they built.” Arius’ major claim did not disrupt the church’s polity or practices. Instead, his heretical teachings challenged the very deity of Jesus and the triunity of the Godhead. The doctrine of the Holy Trinity and the doctrine of Jesus the God-man are fundamental to Christian belief. If we forsake our foundation we have no legs on which to stand.

As Christians living in the last days (along with every other Christian for the past 2,000 years) we need more than ever to not only have a working understanding of God’s being, but also the ability to defend and communicate this truth to the present culture in which we live. Dan Brown is just one of the many who seeks to usurp the authority of Scripture by challenging it’s authenticity and historical reliability. We need to recognize what is at stake here and be ready and willing to defend the authority of God’s Word and articulate its truths.