©2006, Crossway Books,  156 pages, paperback

The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown has been a best-seller for months.  Its popularity will continue with the release of the movie by the same name in early May.

Many Christians fail to realize that the book contains attacks against Christianity.  It denies the scriptural account of the person and work of Christ.  It denies the inspiration and infallibility of scripture itself.

In their book, Kennedy and Newcombe take a serious look at Brown’s book, noting how the author has interwoven serious errors into his work.

The Gnostic gospels, a focal point in the book’s arguments against historic Christianity, are examined and shown to have been of a later date and promoting a different message than the inspired gospels contained in the New Testament.  Kennedy and Newcombe list some of the many errors in the book, and then provide the necessary information for the reader to refute the errors in conversation with undiscerning friends and co-workers.

In the remaining chapters, the authors provide a very readable, valid defense for the Bible being God’s inspired work and word.  Then they turn our attention to the historicity of Christ’s resurrection.  They take time to examine theories that deny the resurrection’s reality.  These theories are shown to have no foundation of credibility.

The errant DaVinci Code has to be taken seriously because of the lack of discernment and scriptural knowledge of many within the church.  Too many who name Christ’s name do not know how to refute the errors Brown presents.  Sadly, all too many will read the errors without realizing their seriousness.  Inability to refute these errors in conversation with non-Christians can give credibility to the errors themselves.

Whether or not you read the book or see the movie you need to be aware of the basic storyline so that you can be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within you.

This well-written book is one to which you can turn for insights and can give to others for their reading profit.  One’s faith can also be strengthened in the fact that Christ’s death and resurrection as well as the inspiration of scripture stands on a firm foundation.

Review ©2006 Byron Snapp, Hampton, Virginia