The Da Vinci Code - a theological review
published: Saturday | July 8, 2006

By Randoph Williams

The movie, like the book, is built around the proposition that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene and they had children. Further, at his death Jesus left Mary Magdalene as head of his church, but the Catholic Church from the early years of the Christian era denied Mary Magdalene role her in the governance of the church

There is no reliable evidence presented in the book or in the movie in support of these propositions. There is reference in a dialogue in the movie to the Gospel according to Phillip in which Mary Magdalene is described as the companion of Jesus, and it is said the word which is translated as "companion" could mean wife. Could it not also mean disciple? There is another dialogue in the movie to Jesus kissing Mary Magdalene and reference is made to the Gospel according to Mary Magdalene for this. Neither of these books is in the canon of the New Testament and these slight references cannot support the proposition that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene.

The Da Vinci Code is a work of fiction. The movie is a good adaptation of the book and it is attractively presented .The actors are outstanding particularly Sir Ian McKellen the noted English actor of stage and screen who plays Sir Leigh Teabing and Paul Bettany who plays the albino monk Silas. However this work of fiction contains important theological messages and should stimulate discussion in Christian churches

In particular there is a dialogue in the movie between Sir Leah Teabing and Robert Langdon (if I recall correctly) in which the divinity of Jesus is denied; and the doctrine that Jesus is divine is attributed to the Roman emperor Constantine (312-327CE) and was adopted by the bishops at the Council of Nicea. in 325CE. Robert Langdon asks Sir Leah Teabing;

"Why is it Divine or Human? Can't Human be Divine?"

Another question suggests itself and that is: Can't Divine be Human? The answer to this question of course is to be found in the Christian doctrine of The Incarnation.-And God became man. From this would follow a consideration of the role the other Mary, Mother of God.

It is significant that no where in the book The Da Vinci Code or in the movie is there any reference to the words of Jesus himself about his nature or about the leadership of his church. Taking one example from the Gospel according to Matthew chapter 16 verses 15-19, Jesus asked his disciples:
"What about you? Who do you say I am?"
Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
"Good for you, Simon son of John!" answered Jesus. "For this truth did not
come to you from any human being, but it was given to you directly by my
Father in heaven. And so I tell you, Peter; you are a rock, and on this rock
foundation I will build my church, and not even death will ever be able to
overcome it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven; what you
prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven and what you permit on earth
will be permitted in heaven" (Good News Bible Today's English Version)

The object in writing the book and making the movie was not to discover the truth about the nature of Jesus or the leadership of the Church but to produce a best seller and make lots of money. And in that Dan Brown has been very successful.

Randolph Williams is a College Student in Scripture at St. Michael's Theological College.