Collegiate Times

The same question entered everyone's mind yesterday evening at ?The DaVinci Code? mystery discussion at the Graduate Life Center. Was the number one book in the nation full of truths or mere fiction? With over 30 million copies sold and another 100 million people having read the novel, the question was of interest.

Gary Habermas, a professor at Liberty University and first-century philosophy and history expert, discussed the historical inconsistencies of the story presented in the novel by Dan Brown.

Referencing specific passages from the novel by Brown, Habermas systematically disputed Brown's assertions using both Biblical scriptures and historical basis. In respect to an extremely controversial question presented by the novel, regarding whether or not Jesus Christ was married, Habermas supplied an interesting outlook upon this idea. Expounding upon the idea that Jesus could have been married rather than casting doubt upon the claim at all, Habermas never offered a definitive outlook or opinion on the issue, but rather left his commentary for the audience to decide.

?There is no evidence that says that Jesus was married but to the contrary there is no evidence that says he was not,? Habermas said.

Another hot topic that was addressed during the question and answer portion of the presentation was regarding whether or not Christianity had adopted some of its tenets from pagan beliefs as portrayed in the novel.

?No other ancient 'mystery religion' has a resurrected hero prior to the second and third centuries AD, except for Christianity,? Habermas said.

This idea brings to light the reality that the roots of Christianity thus had to have been entirely original rather than the result of pagan influences.

Ultimately however, after critical analysis and comparison of the novel with known historical data, Habermas concluded that the ideas presented by Brown were unfounded and provided nothing more than mere fictional relief for the reader.

New Life Christian Fellowship Pastor Chris Backert discussed the underlying goal of secular and Christian scholars in reference to ?The DaVinci Code.?

?The hope was to give a general sense of what secular and Christian scholars agree on and that individuals' conclusions should be based upon these facts,? Backert said.

Simply put, based upon the assertions of Habermas, ?The DaVinci Code? should be read as a novel and not as a reference of historical significance.

?I haven't read the book yet but I still appreciated his discussion, although I would still read the book as just a story,? said Gina Divittorio, sophomore history major.

In a much anticipated presentation, Habermas ultimately was able to both cast light on the underlying inaccuracies of the novel, while simultaneously not detracting from its appeal and possibly peaking the interest of future readers.