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''…for inasmuch as error is falsification of truth,  

''…for inasmuch as error is falsification of truth, it must needs be that truth therefore precedes error.'' –Tertullian in ''Against Marcion''

it must needs be that truth therefore precedes error.'' –Tertullian in ''Against Marcion''

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[[The Council of Nicaea]] (325 AD)—presided over by Roman Emperor [[Constantine]]—was the first ecumenical gathering of Christians.  In The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown makes some startling assertions about the Council and its leader, Constantine.   

[[The Council of Nicaea]] (325 AD)—presided over by Roman Emperor [[Constantine]]—was the first ecumenical gathering of Christians.  In The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown makes some startling assertions about the Council and its leader, Constantine.   

Georgetown art historian Diane Cappadonna states,  

Georgetown art historian Diane Cappadonna states,  

<blockquote>“I do not believe there is a woman in The Last Supper, and I do not believe in any way that it is Mary Magdalene.  The ‘V’ shapes”—not a single ‘M’ as Brown interprets—“that are there serve a solely artistic purpose—to place emphasis in the composition on Christ and to emphasize perspective.”  (Burnstein 229-230) </blockquote> Brown also argues the case that the figure must be a woman because “Da Vinci was skilled at painting the difference between the sexes.”  It certainly is true that Leonardo was a skilled painter; however all Renaissance artists depicted the disciple John as decidedly effeminate… Leonardo included.  In fact, most young men were painted with very womanly features.  In Leonardo’s painting St. John the Baptist; the face is astonishingly similar to John in The Last Supper—and equally feminine.  Are we to suppose that this also is secretly Mary Magdalene?  

<blockquote>''I do not believe there is a woman in The Last Supper, and I do not believe in any way that it is Mary Magdalene.  The ‘V’ shapes”—not a single ‘M’ as Brown interprets—“that are there serve a solely artistic purpose—to place emphasis in the composition on Christ and to emphasize perspective.'' (Burnstein 229-230) </blockquote> Brown also argues the case that the figure must be a woman because “Da Vinci was skilled at painting the difference between the sexes.”  It certainly is true that Leonardo was a skilled painter; however all Renaissance artists depicted the disciple John as decidedly effeminate… Leonardo included.  In fact, most young men were painted with very womanly features.  In Leonardo’s painting St. John the Baptist; the face is astonishingly similar to John in The Last Supper—and equally feminine.  Are we to suppose that this also is secretly Mary Magdalene?  

[[Image: johnthebaptist.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Leonardo's''St. John the Baptist'']]   

[[Image: johnthebaptist.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Leonardo's''St. John the Baptist'']]   

In addition to The Last Supper, Brown states that "…works like the Mona Lisa and Madonna of the Rocks al[so] …seem to be whispering the same cryptic message.  He goes on to describe the Mona Lisa as an androgynous self-portrait.  Shelley Esaak explains Brown’s reasoning behind making such an assertion:  

In addition to The Last Supper, Brown states that "…works like the Mona Lisa and Madonna of the Rocks al[so] …seem to be whispering the same cryptic message.  He goes on to describe the Mona Lisa as an androgynous self-portrait.  Shelley Esaak explains Brown’s reasoning behind making such an assertion:  

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“‘Mona Lisa’ is an anagram of ‘Amon’ and ‘Isis,’ if you write ‘Isis’ in the manner of some (unreferenced) ancient pictogram that roughly translates to ‘L'isa’ in Latin text. Thus PROVING that (quoting from p. 121) “… not only does the face of Mona Lisa look androgynous, but her name is an anagram of the divine union of male and female. And that, my friends, is Da Vinci's little secret, and the reason for Mona Lisa's knowing smile.’” (Esaak)  </blockquote>

''‘Mona Lisa’ is an anagram of ‘Amon’ and ‘Isis,’ if you write ‘Isis’ in the manner of some (unreferenced) ancient pictogram that roughly translates to ‘L'isa’ in Latin text. Thus PROVING that (quoting from p. 121) “… not only does the face of Mona Lisa look androgynous, but her name is an anagram of the divine union of male and female. And that, my friends, is Da Vinci's little secret, and the reason for Mona Lisa's knowing smile.’” (Esaak)  </blockquote>

Unfortunately, Brown’s explanation is entirely fictitious.  Leonardo did not name the “Mona Lisa.” The painting remained completely unnamed until the year 1550—years after Leonardo’s death. (Esaak)

Unfortunately, Brown’s explanation is entirely fictitious.  Leonardo did not name the 'Mona Lisa'.  The painting remained completely unnamed until the year 1550—years after Leonardo’s death. '' (Esaak)

Brown also makes some errors when discussing the painting Madonna (or Virgin) on the Rocks.  He states that nuns from the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception gave Leonardo particular instructions on what was to be the dimensions and content of the painting.  Brown’s first mistake is in describing the members of the confraternity as nuns—it was definitely an entirely male group as the name (con) ''fraternity'' suggests!  (Olson and Miesel)

Brown also makes some errors when discussing the painting Madonna (or Virgin) on the Rocks.  He states that nuns from the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception gave Leonardo particular instructions on what was to be the dimensions and content of the painting.  Brown’s first mistake is in describing the members of the confraternity as nuns—it was definitely an entirely male group as the name (con) ''fraternity'' suggests!  (Olson and Miesel)

Dan Brown states that the key to Christianity’s success was Constantine’s endorsement.  However, many Christian scholars have different views:

Dan Brown states that the key to Christianity’s success was Constantine’s endorsement.  However, many Christian scholars have different views:

<blockquote>“In this victory of Christianity was also something of defeat.  The victory had been accomplished by compromise, compromise with the world which had crucified Jesus. (Latourette 108) …Outwardly Christianity had triumphed, [yet] many of the nominal Christians paid only lip service to their ostensible faith and remained pagans at heart.” (Latourette 97)</blockquote>

<blockquote>''In this victory of Christianity was also something of defeat.  The victory had been accomplished by compromise, compromise with the world which had crucified Jesus. (Latourette 108) …Outwardly Christianity had triumphed, [yet] many of the nominal Christians paid only lip service to their ostensible faith and remained pagans at heart.''(Latourette 97)</blockquote>

Christianity triumphed for one reason and one reason alone: Jesus Christ.   

Christianity triumphed for one reason and one reason alone: Jesus Christ.   

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''“It was faith in Jesus and his resurrection which gave birth to the Christian fellowship…it was the love displayed in Christ which was, ideally and to a marked extent, the bond which held Christianity together.“'' (Latourette 107)

''It was faith in Jesus and his resurrection which gave birth to the Christian fellowship…it was the love displayed in Christ which was, ideally and to a marked extent, the bond which held Christianity together.'' (Latourette 107)

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The compromise Latourette speaks of did not come without a price, and that was the loss of the purity of original, organic Christianity as nothing but the worship of Jesus Christ and a desire to emulate his character, his example of self-sacrifice, love and mercy.  Jesus’ message had nothing to do with restoring the sacred feminine—but it had everything to do with restoring and redeeming all of humankind.  Brown fails to grasp this basic meaning of Christianity.

The compromise Latourette speaks of did not come without a price, and that was the loss of the purity of original, organic Christianity as nothing but the worship of Jesus Christ and a desire to emulate his character, his example of self-sacrifice, love and mercy.  Jesus’ message had nothing to do with restoring the sacred feminine—but it had everything to do with restoring and redeeming all of humankind.  Brown fails to grasp this basic meaning of Christianity.

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Dan Brown is responsible for feeding millions of readers a pack of lies cleverly wrapped up as a historically accurate novel.  Critics have sung its praises since its publication in 2001, extolling its artistic virtues as well as its historical ones.

Dan Brown is responsible for feeding millions of readers a pack of lies cleverly wrapped up as a historically accurate novel.  Critics have sung its praises since its publication in 2001, extolling its artistic virtues as well as its historical ones.

“Calling Dan Brown's latest novel, The Da Vinci Code, simply a "smart suspense novel" is like referring to Harvard as simply a pretty good university. Incorporating massive amounts of historical and academic information is no easy task, but Brown does it in such a seamless fashion that it is almost invisible within the story's natural narrative.”  (The Mystery Reader)

“Calling Dan Brown's latest novel, The Da Vinci Code, simply a "smart suspense novel" is like referring to Harvard as simply a pretty good university. Incorporating massive amounts of historical and academic information is no easy task, but Brown does it in such a seamless fashion that it is almost invisible within the story's natural narrative.</blockquote> (The Mystery Reader)

In addition to the critics, audiences are also profoundly impacted by the book’s “historical” content, as Archbishop George H. Niederauer, D.D., Ph.D describes in an article:

In addition to the critics, audiences are also profoundly impacted by the book’s “historical” content, as Archbishop George H. Niederauer, D.D., Ph.D describes in an article: