Scottish Sunday: International: International

Dan Brown defends claims made in The Da Vinci Code

Author Dan Brown is set to reignite controversy over his bestseller The Da Vinci Code today, by defending claims he makes in the book that Jesus Christ married and had a child. In a rare television interview to be broadcast tonight on the National Geographic Channel, Brown reaffirms his “belief” in the book’s key theory – that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene and their French-born child started a bloodline stretching to the present day. Critics have denounced the new claims as “bonkers”.

The Controversial Da Vinci Code

The Da Vinci Code, first published in 2003, has sparked worldwide religious debate. The quasi-historical thriller claims Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting The Last Supper holds the key to the Holy Grail. According to the book, the Grail is not a chalice, as traditionally believed, but Mary Magdalene.

It alleges Jesus and Mary married and had a child and that their bloodline survives to this day – a secret kept by the Catholic Church. Christian, especially Catholic, churches across the globe have been inundated with inquiries about the validity of the Bible and the possible existence of descendants of Jesus. Senior figures in the Vatican have dismissed the book as “lies”.

Brown's Defense

In tonight’s documentary, "Unlocking Da Vinci’s Code," Brown defies his critics, insisting that there are grounds for taking seriously his theories. He explains how he started as a skeptic but through his research for The Da Vinci Code, his beliefs began to align with the controversial claims made in his book.

Brown argues in the documentary that efforts to describe Mary Magdalene as a prostitute were part of a smear campaign against the wife of Jesus. He provides his perspective on their relationship, suggesting that it was set aside and misrepresented in order to explain her presence amid the disciples.

Brown contends that Jesus must have wed because, based on the historical context, it was unusual for a young Jewish man at that time not to be married. However, others featured in the TV film point to the celibate community of apostles around Jesus as a counterargument.

Debate Among Historians and Theologians

Film makers tried to find the sources from which Brown said he gleaned the information to compile his theory. However, they noted that some of the claims were not supported by historians, theologians, or academic works. Rev Robin Griffith Jones of London’s Temple Church, for example, disputes Brown’s claim that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married. Despite this, he mentioned that he is glad to see an increase in visitors to his church due to The Da Vinci Code, as it encourages interesting questions and discussions.

The Impact of The Da Vinci Code

The Da Vinci Code has been a British bestseller for 69 weeks and has sold over 25 million copies worldwide. Forbes magazine rates Brown as the 12th most powerful celebrity in the world, with estimated earnings of $76.5 million in publishing royalties. His personal fortune is set to increase further with the release of a film adaptation next year.

The success of The Da Vinci Code has not only propelled Brown's other works into bestseller lists but also spawned a mini-industry of websites, tours, merchandise, and counter-claim books. Despite the controversy surrounding his theories, Brown believes that the debate generated by his book has been beneficial to religion. It encourages people to think critically and engage in discussions about faith.

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