Overview

In his staggeringly popular work of fiction, Dan Brown states up front that the historical information in the The Da Vinci Code is all factually accurate. But is this claim true? As historian Bart D. Ehrman shows in this informative and witty book, The Da Vinci Code is filled with numerous historical mistakes. Did the ancient church engage in a cover-up to make the man Jesus into a divine figure? Did Emperor Constantine select for the New Testament--from some 80 contending Gospels--the only four Gospels that stressed that Jesus was divine? Was Jesus Christ married to Mary Magdalene? Did the Church suppress Gospels that told the secret of their marriage? Bart Ehrman thoroughly debunks all of these claims. But the book is not merely a laundry list of Brown's misreading of history. Throughout, Ehrman offers a wealth of fascinating background information--all historically accurate--on early Christianity. He describes, for instance, the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls ; outlines in simple terms how scholars of early Christianity determine which sources are most reliable; and explores the many other Gospels that have been found in the last half century. In his engaging book, Ehrman separates fact from fiction, the historical realities from the flights of literary fancy. Anyone who would like to know the truth about the beginnings of Christianity and the real truth behind The Da Vinci Code will find this book riveting.

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9780195307139

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Reviews

It should be compulsory reading alongside the original, before Rosslyn Chapel is entirely wrecked by tourists. Simon Jenkins, The Guardian Anyone worried or puzzled about the theological issues raised by Dan Brown could do worse than read Bar D Ehrman's Truth and Fiction in the Da Vinci Code, a lucid, unagressive book by the chairman of the department of religious studies at the University of North Carolina, who actually enjoyed the novel. Philip French, The Observer Hats off to OUP...Bart D Ehrman's Truth and Fiction in the Da Vinci Code is the must-read paperback in the launch week of the movie. Observer Review Anyone worried or puzzled about the theological issues raised by Dan Brown could do worse than read Bart D Ehrman's Truth and Fiction in The Da Vinci Code, a lucid unaggressive book by the chairman of the department of religious studies at the University of North Carolina, who actually enjoyed the novel. Philip French, Observer

This is a very readable treatment of some very difficult themes, such as the reasons for the exclusion of some of the early gospels from the canon and the enourmous influence of recent archeological discoveries. Readres at every level will appreciate this book. --Publishers Weekly No less interesting than the book it is responding to.... An enjoyable and very accessible tour of a complex subject, Truth and Fiction in the Da Vinci Code is a book that fans of Brown's novel will no doubt find just as engaging. --St Petersburg Times

Author Information

"Bart D. Ehrman chairs the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. One of the major public experts on early Christianity, Jesus, and the New Testament, he is very well known in his field and to a general audience through his books Lost Christianities, Lost Scriptures, and the forthcoming Peter, Paul, and Mary Magdalene: The Followers of Jesus in History and Legend. He has appeared on A&E, The History Channel, CNN, and other TV and radio shows, and has taped several highly popular lecture series for the ""Teaching Company."""

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