Book Review: Breaking the Da Vinci Code by Darrell Bock

May 2, 2006 Posted by Roger Overton

Though The Da Vinci Code is a fictional novel, many
scholars are concerned about the historical inaccuracies it depends upon. One
of these scholars is Darrell Bock. “This is not merely any piece of fiction.
The scope of what it claims as fast, the impression it leaves making those
claims under the “cover” of fiction, and the fact that it addresses a
significant subject for our culture’s own self understanding make it important
that its claims be assessed and/or appreciated.” (6) In Breaking the Da
Vinci Code, Dr. Bock seeks to break several of the underlying premises of
the novel.

Beginning with a study on who was Mary Magdalane, the book
has eight chapters examining the various claims of the novel. Dr. Bock draws
from biblical texts, as well as non-biblical texts, to make his arguments. The
book also deals with questions about whether Jesus was married, if his being
single might make him un-Jewish, if the Gnostic gospels help us understand
Jesus, how the New Testament assembled, and whether recent “scholarly” work
accurately reflect the historical record.

Dr. Bock concludes that only “two historical claims of the
novel stand: (1) women were elevated by what Jesus taught (although probably
not as much as some would suggest), and (2) Mary Magdalene was not a prostitue.
The remaining foundation of the novel is made of sand.” (154) The final chapter
provides the “Real Jesus Code,” the gospel that Jesus taught and Mary Magdalane
experienced. There is a brief appendix by an art professor, Robert Baldwin,
which points out some of the art flaws in the novel. A glossary is found at the
back of the book describing important themes and figures.

This book deals with most of the important questions raised
by The Da Vinci Code. For the most part, responds with compelling
academically backed arguments that are expressed in an accessible form. Despite
having a great glossary, however, there is not much offered for additional
resources outside of the book. Though Dr. Bock addresses Gnosticism, the
explanation of it was somewhat lacking. Further lacking is an analysis of the
“sacred feminine” that was so prevalent in the novel.

Breaking the Da Vinci Code is a noteworthy response to the popular novel. Though
the analysis could have been expanded, Darrell Bock offers a devastating
critique of the faulty historical foundation of Dan Brown’s book.