The publication of Dan Brown's best-selling novel The Da Vinci Code in 2003 and now the recently released movie based on the novel have raised many questions from Christians as to the truth of some of the events and characters. Biblical scholars from all locations across the liberal-conservative spectrum have decried the countless distortions and glaring errors in the statements made about Jewish and Christian traditions and ancient texts. Historians and art experts have likewise reminded us that this intriguing tale of conspiracy and deception is a product of a fanciful imagination, not even remotely a plausible interpretation of the available evidence.

Nevertheless, despite the far-fetched underpinnings of the main characters' version of history, their comments about events and ideas from the earliest periods of Christianity remain enticing fodder for discussions about the foundations and focus of Christian faith today. As the book and movie prompt people to wonder, "What if . . . ?" for many The Da Vinci Code exposes their lack of knowledge about important details from the history behind the Bible and the emergence of the Christian church.

This one-session study assumes the participants have read the book or seen the movie before class. It focuses on issues of Christian history and Christian faith that receive attention in The Da Vinci Code. The study does not attempt to generate a discussion about the novel or the movie as a whole but to offer information about matters that tend to catch the attention of Christians and prompt them to explore the foundations of their faith in greater detail. While the study was originally written about the book, the information is just as relevant for the movie as for the book.