Customer Reviews

Exploring the Da Vinci Code: Investigating the Issues Raised by the Book and Movie

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Similar to Lee Strobel's "Case for..." books, Exploring the Da Vinci Code takes an investigative approach interviewing Christian scholars about controversial issues. The book is an adapted form of the interviews Strobel conducted for the DVD of his Discussing the Da Vinci Code Curriculum Kit. It is essentially the same material with added commentary throughout.

Authors Lee Strobel and Gary Poole boiled the issues down to four categories and interviewed a scholar to deal with each of them. In chapter one, the topic of historical analysis is discussed with historian Paul Maier. The second chapter poses the question "Can we trust the four Gospels?" to New Testament scholar Scot McKnight. Strobel interviews Kathy McReynolds in chapter three about the role of women in Christianity and Jesus' relationship with Mary Magdalene. The final chapter deals with the divinity of Jesus with scholar Mark Strauss.

Just like the discussion guide for the curriculum, the book has questions for reflection interspersed throughout its pages. In the back of the book, again just like the guide, are several appendices that recommend further resources, state the facts, and give arguments for the true identity of Jesus that is affirmed by historic Christianity.

Strobel is known for his investigative journalist approach, which he applied well in these interviews. He asks good questions that provoke good responses form the reputable scholars. Those who enjoyed his "Case for..." books will also enjoy this light read. Though it somewhat deals with "the sacred feminine," it does not really deal with the underlying pagan worldview of Dan Brown's novel. For the most part though, Exploring the Da Vinci Code is a useful little book that shows many of the problems with The Da Vinci Code.

Yale Law school trained author Strobel provides a refreshing review of issues raised in the popular Da Vinci Code novel. He uses his skill as a former investigative reporter to interview 4 experts about claims made in the Da Vinci Code. Together, the authors provide a clear, concise, articulate summary of major themes in the Da Vinci Code and investigate whether the issues are based on fact or fiction. If you have read the Da Vinci code and wonder whether the Priory of Sion and the Gnostic Gospels are fact or fiction, or whether Constantine really suppressed truth about Christ, or whether Jesus promoted the "sacred feminine", here is your answer. Enjoy!

Exploring the Da Vinci Code with the dvd is absolutely great for exposing the lies of the book by Dan Brown.

Lee even includes the FAQ and Evidence for the identity of Jesus based on discussions with real historians in this area of history.

I recommend everyone get this and use it to share the truth with followers of Dan Brown of those duped by him.

A great book exploring many seekers' questions relating to the Bible that the Da Vinci Code raises. A nonbeliever may believe that the Da Vinci Code has revealed some sort of "secret truths," but that's simply not true. For more on this, read this book...

After reading the Da Vinci Code, I wanted a book that could debunk the falsehoods presented in Dan Brown's book. I turned to this book only to find a cursory overview of some of the fallacies presented in the Da Vinci Code. This book was really similar, only on a much more concise basis, to Stobel's The Case for Christ. I would keep looking if you're looking for an in-depth analysis of the Da Vinci Code.

If you have read any of Lee Strobel's recent books, you will be very familiar with this format. Though Garry Poole is a co-author for this one, they utilize Strobel's analytical, evidence-oriented approach to considering key questions related to The Da Vinci Code phenomenon. The book is more like a booklet and can be easily read in one sitting.

What I like about this book is that the authors did not try to reach the conclusion, like some other DVC debunkers, that Dan Brown is the anti-Christ and his book is the worst pile of rubbish every written. I haven't even read The Da Vinci Code, but I get frustrated by Christian critics who overhype its importance and influence.

In contrast, Strobel and Poole manage to strike a healthy balance by critiquing Brown's truth claims (and he does make truth claims, even in the midst of a fictional work) that are simply erroneous while admitting that it is an engaging tale, which has been confirmed by the millions of readers.

In any case, the movie was widely panned and seems to be a flop, so the would-be earth-shattering influence of the book is waning. This rebuttal book is short and sweet, offering little profundity. Nonetheless, I was glad to have read it, as I relearned a few interesting tidbits about the history of the church.