Scotch College

A cleverly devised story

One-time teacher of English at Phillip's Exeter Academy, Dan Brown, has written a book called The Da Vinci Code. Since its release a year ago it has been hailed as 'one of the best selling novels of all time' and has dominated the best selling book lists. 'Apparently it's awesome,' reported Chris in Year 12, 'my friends say I have to read it.'

Readers of the book are looking again at works of art and architecture. Organisations with secret rituals are invested with a New Age credibility and mystique. The Knights Templar is the secret organisation featured in this book. The works of Da Vinci, especially his Mona Lisa and Last Supper, are being studied afresh by curious lay-people. Westminster Abbey and Rosslyn Chapel in my native Scotland are experiencing a surge in visitors. Those unable to make the journey can find the detailed images conveniently displayed on Brown's personal website (www.danbrown.com).

Even ancient documents hold renewed interest and the eclectic series, Who Wrote the New Testament? which went to air on SBS, has generated enhanced discussion. In a breathlessly fast-moving story, Robert Langdon, a Harvard symbologist (sic) and French cryptologist Sophie Neveu become engulfed is a cleverly devised drama.

At one point the dialogue runs as follows: 'There's an enormous difference between hypothetically discussing an alternative history of Christ, and ... ' He paused.
'And what?'
'And presenting to the world thousands of ancient documents as scientific evidence that the New Testament is false testimony.'
'But you told me the New Testament is based on fabrications.' Langdon smiled. 'Sophie, every faith in the world is based on fabrication. That's the definition of faith, acceptance of that which we imagine to be true, that which we cannot prove. Metaphors are a way to help our minds process the unprocessible. The problems arise when we begin to believe literally in our own metaphors.'

This is clever writing. It is also mischievous. It moves with great fluidity from total fabrication (evidence that the New Testament is false) to patent truth (language is a kind of metaphor). It is to confuse ideas that are clearly distinct. In Brown's book they flow together in a racy mix. We must be clear that there are distinctions to be drawn.

In the realm of history of New Testament studies, I was comfortable that Dan Brown's allegations regarding Constantine, the Nag Hammadi library and the compilation of the New Testament were a subtle mixture of fantasy and fact. What of his allegations concerning art and architecture? Melbourne art historian Claire Renkin assured me that he similarly mixes fiction and fact in his comments about specific works. An elder historian has said the same for his remarks about the Knights Templar. Dan Brown's fabrications are eloquently critiqued at numerous websites.

The glass pyramid outside Le Louvre in Paris features in The Da Vinci Code.

In the New Testament Peter defends the gospel against the charge of fabrication. 'We did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.' (2 Peter 1:16) Jesus was truly human. He was tortured and died. But he was also truly divine. Christian testimony is that the Lord is risen indeed.

Easter reminds us of these central claims. They have always had their detractors. Dan Brown, with his cleverly devised story that the truth has been suppressed, may be among them. His book is a good read. Enjoy it, but don't believe it! Explore his allegations and separate truth from fantasy. Do not follow his 'cleverly devised story'. Be assured of the astonishing claims at the foundation of your Christian faith.

Graham Bradbeer
Chaplain