Breaking the Da Vinci Code: Answers to the Questions Everyones Asking

In spite of the impression one might get from popular discussions, shooting holes in the scholarship behind The Da Vinci Code is not a difficult task. The target is too big. Bocks book is not my favorite, but is near the top of the books I have read on this subject. THE BOOKS STRONG POINTS Bock stays on target. He actually addresses questions that are being asked and doesnt stray as far as others. Bock is from Dallas Theological Seminary. His foreword was written by Francis J. Moloney from The Catholic University of America (not exactly bunk mates in the dormitory of theology). This shows an attempt to speak from a broad perspective. Although he doesnt exactly pull off the attempt as well as he could. The book is easy to read. THE BOOKS WEAK POINT It isnt very exciting. After reading the exciting The Da Vinci Code this is a little like sitting down for a lecture. A BETTER BOOK I think this is probably the best first book one can read on the subject. IF one is intrigued enough to dig a little deeper I suggest Cracking Da Vincis Code by James L. Garlow and Peter Jones. But if you do, read it after this book.

This book goes step by step addressing many of the issues raised in the Da Vinci Code. Using logic, biblical and nonbiblical text, and a scholarly knowledge of early christian history Dr. Bock makes a convincing case and keeps the book easily readable. He looks at many of the issues from multiple angles and addresses possible counter-arguments to his claims. The book doesnt come across like a sermon and doesnt require that the reader be a christian, only that the reader be openminded.

mr. bock doesnt do any good with his book. he lacks order, research and ways to get to the reader to explain his points of view. every chapters is left open leaving you without options, hints or even interest. as a christian i was expecting to find the answers the books says it will give. i was left only with more questions and whats worse, doubts. the book reminded me of preachers who speak and sound hollow. i took the da vinci code, as it is supposed to be, a novel. i have heard of all its theories before, and thought interesting even though i dont think them true, but these book is so shallow and meaningless that it does wrong for the faith its supposed to be defending.

Nothing in this book proves anything... If Da Vinci Code is wrong about Magdalene and the conspiracy, this book is not right either... faith is very hard to argue and everybody believes what they wanted to believe...

Bock has written a very fair and balanced treatment of Dan Browns The DaVinci Code. He does not exhibit any anger at all toward Browns book or Brown himself. Bock simply seeks to explain the questionable (at best) history behind The Da Vinci code and make readers of the book understand that it is wonderful fiction and should be appreciated as such (a direct quote from Bocks book), but thats all it is, FICTION. Bock quotes from several first and second century primary sources, most outside of the books that make up the current Bible, to support his contention that there is very little good history to support Browns claims in his book. In contrast to many reviewers who have dismissed this book as a hatchet job on Brown with a preconcieved idea to dismiss his claims, Bock has no problem with affirming in part a couple of Browns claims, such as the role of women in the early Church. This is the mark of a fair and balanced historical treatment. Bock fully explains that many of the facts presented as contained in actual historical documents in The DaVinci Code, including some of the gnostic gospels, simply do not support the ideas contained in Browns book. Basically, even his own sources dont even support his arguments. Therefore, many of those arguments, such as the contention that Mary Magdelines reputation was denegrated as prostitute in order to suppress her real importance to Jesus. The real historical fact is that the ONLY reference to Mary Magdeline as a prostitute was made by a Pope in the fourth century, and this is most likely due to a misreading of the first Bible passages where Mary appears. Bock explains that that passage actually speaks of another Mary as a possible prostitute but that passage introduces Mary Magdeline as a distinct seperate person from the Mary who annointed Jesus feet and was most likely a former prostitute. Mary Magdeline, most likely followed Jesus after he exercised demons from her in one of his many miracles. Mary was a disciple just as the other 12 were disciples. She also served as a disciple to the disciples in telling the story of the resurrected Jesus. No more, no less. Bock also puts the contention that Jesus as a holy Jew couldnt have been single in historical context. In fact, many strict holy Jews in the first century were single, based upon their reading of Gods instructions to them in the Bible. Bock wonderfully addresses the issue of Jesus divinity and conclusively proves, again using first century sources, some of them outside the Bible, that Jesus was definitely thought of as devine several hundred years before Nicia took place. There was no vote on Jesus divinity as Browns characters contend because that was already a well accepted fact among Christians from the first century forward. Bock does not specifically address DaVincis painting because there is no need to. Once Browns other codes are broken, which Bock does with historical precision and impeccable sources, there is no need to address DaVincis possible role in a secret society. Once the other more important codes are broken, its readily apparent that without the foundation of the book, the details of DaVincis alleged membership in a secret society (which was in fact founded in the 1960s by a French con-man, it is not an ancient society at all) simply arent worth addressing because its apparent by Bocks main argument against the other codes that these details on the face of them have no historical basis. After reading or listening to Bocks very wonderfully sourced treatment of Browns history no one can go away still convinced in The DaVinci Codes history only that it is a wonderfully written novel by a wonderfully creative author, unless they specifically choose to remain blind to well researched historical facts.

This book is really an essential. It covers everything from the theory of Jesus being married to Mary Magdalene, to the Canonization of the Bible, to the Secret Gnostic Gospels. A must read for those who have read the Da Vinci Code

Although understandably this book is geared for the lay reader, Bocks methodology is seriously insufficient and therefore subverts his argument. Not only does he fail to engage real Jesus research scholars (like Charlesworth, Levine, Sanders & Johnson), he sets up John Dominic Crossan as a straw man. In other words he sets up arguably the most liberal of scholars engaged in Jesus Research so that he can easily dismiss his argument. This is called a straw man and is a logical fallacy. Many people want to read this book to discover whether or not there is any shred of plausibility to the claim that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene. If so, this is not the place to look! Bock does not engage the issue using appropriate methodolgies and hence his work ought not be trusted.

Breaking the Da Vinci Code was a wonderful read. Enlightens the soul that the truth is always in the Holy Scripture, and never in the mind of man. Have recommended to my friends. Robert C. Frank

Exactly how in the world this book is sitting at 144th in sales when it is rated at 2 1/2 stars is beyond me. Wake up people. What is this book about??? Thats easy. This book is about the only thing Bock (who it must be admitted is a scholar) has ever written about-Jesus and the Bible Bocks other bookss include: - Jesus According to Scripture - Studying the Historical Jesus - Purpose Directed Theology - The Bible Knowledge Keuy Word - Three views of the Millenium and Beyond Get the picture?? Bock is an aging, biblical scholar, whos forte is Christian theology. It is not surprising then, that he doesnt even deal with issues Brown raises that would require him to look at things pre-325 a.d. (the era before Constantine). Bock handles The Da Vinci Code as if it were about nothing more that an attack on the historical Jesus, when in reality, Browns book pulls in far more subjects, THE LEAST of which are the paintings by Leonardo Da Vinci. Oh, did I mention that Bock ignores poor Leonardos work entirely and doesnt even touch the assertions Brown makes about the artists hidden codes and symbols. Silly me!!!! I thought Bocks book was about Breaking the Da Vinci Code! LOL. Ive already sold my copy-cheap-since I have more than enough books like this one on my shelves. And trust me, there are far better works on Christianity, church history, and the development of religions. There are most definitely better ways to spend your money. And allow me to say, I have nothing against the other books Bock has written. He knows those issues very well and is first-rate. But he should NOT have tried to just take that material and recover it with a title that is so deceptive.

I agree that the book lost its references somewhere.. but besides that, I have to say that the book contains a good material. In this not-too-long book, Bock has succesfully convey some thoughtful reasoning which should be carefully weighed by all who are interested in the isue. He put side by side arguments from both sides, e.g. why do some people believe that Mary Magdalene was married? He gave his considerations on it and then move on by giving arguments why he thinks that Mary Magdalene wasnt married. To make this review short: all I want to say is.. yes, this book lacks references, probably because the author intended the book to be welcoming to all readers... but besides that, his thoughtful opinion deserves every sincere considerations. If you plan to buy another book alongside, this will serve as a good companion.