Exploring the Da Vinci Code by Garry Poole, Lee Strobel (2006, Paperback)

If Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code" left you wondering about everything you thought to be true, this book definitely clears things up.

Brown's novel is a great read, no doubt, but his prologue statements combined with subtle lectures from his two historian main characters add a perceived veracity to the historical content of the book. Strobel's background as an attorney as well as his research and literary experience debunk many of the theories that Brown alludes to in "The Da Vinci Code."

Among the topics discussed in "Exploring the DaVinci Code" are:
- The historical establishment of the Biblical canon - most of the New Testament (including the four gospels describing Christ's life) were considered scripture by the second century AD. Paul quotes Luke as scripture in some of his letters as early as 70 AD - some 300 years before DVC claims the council of Nicene met to choose which books made the cut
- Additional Gnostic gospels such as the gospel of Mary Magdelene, the mysterious "Q" source, etc. were written generations after Christ's life, clearly not first-hand accounts by eyewitnesses like the original gospels. You've played "telephone", right?
- The council of Nicene met in 370AD not to define what was in and what was out, but more to come to a consensus that the Gnostic gospels did not meet the standards (first-hand accounts by eyewitnesses, etc.) of what was already established as scripture and should thusly be excluded.
- The Priory of Sion was established in the 20th century, not 1099, and is based off of documents that are admittedly falsified.
- The logic behind the cover-up - IF Christ had been married and fathered a child, what is immoral or unholy - worth "The Church"'s effort to cover-up? Further - if a union with a woman is enough to un-deify Christ, how, as a participant in the same union, does Mary Magdelene qualify as being worthy of worship?

One thing that the book does not touch upon is the Biblical account of the Last Supper. There is no Biblical mention of the "Holy Grail" and it is more established as a thing of archaeological lore (Indiana Jones) than anything else. The Bible does mention a cup (but doesn't qualify it as anything special) but then it also says that the disciples passed the cup and everyone partook. Imagine if Mary Magdelene was "the chalice" that Brown suggests?

"Exploring the DaVinci Code" is a very quick read but gives well researched responses to many of the questions that Dan Brown raises in his best-seller. If you were entertained by "The DaVinci Code" but were wondering how much of it was actually true, then this book is for you.

I loved this book! I love riddles,puzzles,and secret codes so Im pretty biased. This book has brought lots of controversy for people. I am a Christian and still I loved this book. If all it takes is a fiction book to make you question your faith,you did NOT really have any in the first place. Strong,enduring faith with not be questioned or brought to an end by a mere work of fiction.

if you are truly seeking truth, you want this book! lee stroebel puts forth logic and fact in a straight forward way. it is a great to clarify 'the divinci deception'.