“The Da Vinci Code” — Broken Code or Broken Theory?
Tom Hanks and Ron Howard are poised to make a big splash with their new movie, “The Da Vinci Code”. In this fictional thriller, Dan Brown (the author) makes some scandalous “fact” claims about the historical Jesus that should not remain unchallenged. But a closer look will show that, for all but the most casual seeker, these claims are easily exposed as nonsense.
For example, one of Dan Brown’s claims was that Jesus was only a great man and prophet — not the unique and risen “Son of God” as Christianity asserts. But there are myriads of evidences to support the position of classical Christianity that Jesus is who He claimed to be — the incarnate and unique Son of God. Look, for example, at the incredible alignment of the life of Christ to Old Testament prophecy.
Some of the most striking prophecies of the Messiah fill the Old Testament book of Isaiah, written hundreds of years before the time of Christ. The book of Isaiah is one of the best documented ancient books of the Bible; with a complete copy dating from the 2nd century BC found among the Dead Sea scrolls at Qumran (see: http://www.biblecentre.org).
The book of Isaiah is loaded with Messianic prophecy with some of the most striking found in chapters 49 and 53. But many prophecies describe the promised Messiah with exquisite clarity. For example,
He would…
- Have a miraculous birth: Isaiah 7:14
- Be proceded by a forerunner: 40:3-5
- Both a teacher and a prophet: 61:1-2, 42:1-4
- A worker or miracles: 35:5,6
- Sacrificed to cover the sins of many: 1:18, 53:12,53:5-6
- Brings salvation to the Gentiles: 49:6-7, 42:6-7
- Be God Himself: Isaiah 47:4 and 48:17
Isaiah 52:13-53:12 and Psalms chapter 22 are astounding prophecies of the Messiah that should challenge anyone to ignore the picture of Jesus Christ.
Enjoy “The Da Vinci Code” if you like good fiction. But don’t be deceived: it is fantasy; the truth claims that Dan Brown makes are, simply put, opportunistic hog wash.
If you would like more information on the “facts” of “The Da Vinci Code”, a good article can be found at: http://www.christianitytoday.com
