A Select(ively) Annotated Da Vinci Code Bibliography

Sacred* Titles

Abanes, Richard The Truth Behind The Da Vinci Code (Eugene: Harvest House, 2004) 96pp. 0-736914-39-0 $6.99 USD
Basic, Evangelistic tool; however, goes into more depth on Leonardo than most.

Beverley, James A. Counterfeit Code: Responding to the Da Vinci Heresies (Willard & Assoc. Consulting, 2005) 100pp. 1897213018 $9.50 USD
Print-on-demand title.

Boa, Kenneth & John Alan Turner The Gospel According to The Da Vinci Code: The Truth Behind the Writings of Dan Brown ( Broadman & Holman, 2006) 176pp. 0805441905 $14.99 USD
Focuses on the worldview that enables Brown (and others) to succeed.

+Bock, Darrell L. Breaking the Da Vinci Code (Thomas Nelson, 2004) 208pp. 0-7852-6046-3 $19.99 USD
Bock: "My work concentrates on the first 325 years of Early Christian history, which are key to Brown's claims in his plot. I also give a full sample of texts, orthodox and gnostic, from this period so the reader can see for themselves what these ancients texts say and get a sense of what the difference is between [the] biblical and the 'secret' texts."

Clark, Stephen The Da Vinci Code on Trial: Filtering Fact from Fiction (Evangelical Press, 2005) 94pp. 1850492093 $9.99 USD

Ehrman, Bart D. Truth and Fiction in The Da Vinci Code:A Historian Reveals What We Really Know about Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and Constantine (OUP, 2004) 207pp. 01951-8140-9 $20.00 USD
Besides general debunkery, [t]hroughout, Ehrman offers a wealth of fascinating background information--all historically accurate--on early Christianity. He describes, for instance, the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls (which are not Christian in content, contrary to The Da Vinci Code); outlines in simple terms how scholars of early Christianity determine which sources are most reliable; and explores the many other Gospels that have been found in the last half century.

Flory, Suzy & Gini Monroe - Fear Not Da Vinci: Using The Da Vinci Code to Share Your Faith (AMG, 2006) 224pp. 0899570526 $14.99 USD
Evangelistic tool.

+Garlow, James L. The Da Vinci Codebreaker: An Easy-to-Use Fact Checker(Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2006) 203pp. 0-7642-0185-9 $9.99 USD
Garlow follows up the success of his co-authored Cracking Da Vinci's Code(see below), with this handy alphabetical, cross-referenced glossary-cum-encyclopaedia of Da Vinci Code facts. A sacred version (ie: with a more-or-less dogmatic evangelical Christian viewpoint) of Newman's The Real History Behind the Da Vinci Code (see below).

+Garlow, Jame L. & Peter Jones Cracking Da Vincis Code (Colorado Springs: Victor, 2004) 252pp. 0-78144-165-X $14.99 CDN
Garlow, author of How God Saved Civilization (now, God and His People), and Jones, author of The Gnostic Empire Strikes Back and Spirit Wars, combine efforts to produce a work that tackles the significant points and attach a short Readers Guide with questions relevant to the text. The odd, evolving, Divine Arc/Circle symbology used at the start of chapters has (and will, probably) distracted a few; however, the book has sold around half a million copies, so people appear to be finding it useful overall.

Green, Michael The Books the Church Suppressed: Fiction and Truth in The Da Vinci Code (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2006) 192pp. 08254-6096-4 $13.99 USD
Focuses on the reliability and canonicity of the NT and Gnosticism which Green sees as the main attacks of Brown's work.

Gumbel, Nicky The Da Vinci Code: A Response (Alpha Int'l, 2005) 1-904-07481-2 L1.00 UK
Warning: Written and published by Alpha/Charismania oriented personnel. Recommened by David McKay as, "good because it is so short and people might actually read it!"

+Hanegraaff, Hank & Paul L. Maier The Da Vinci Code: Fact or Fiction? (Carol Stream: Tyndale, 2004, rev. 2006) 96pp. 1-41430279-7 $5.99 USD
A pocket guide designed with quick answers to all the significant issues. Another evangelistic tool. The revised version adds a Gospel presentation. Basic.

Kellmeyer, Steve Fact and Fiction in The Da Vinci Code">Fact and Fiction in The Da Vinci Code (Peoria: Bridegroom Press, 2004) 96pp. 0-971812861 $9.95 USD
A Papist perspective on 72 items of offending material. According to Marcia Ford, an editors nightmare that, "... will make you realize why we need such a thing[as The Chicago Manual of Style], in case you ever doubted it."

+Lutzer, Erwin W. The Da Vinci Deception (Carol Stream: Living Books, 2006 [2004]) 167pp. ISBN 1-4143-0633-4 $6.99 USD
A very helpful introduction to the critical issues with a nice examination of gnosticism by a recognized, proven, conservative (Baptist) writer and Senior Pastor of Moody Church in Chicago.
A short positive review by Gary Gilley is online.

+McDowell, Josh The Da Vinci Code: A Quest for Answers (Holiday: Green Key Books, 2006) 112pp. 1-932587-80-2 $4.99 CDN
A short text using the conversational technique(apparently, popular?) about as successfully as James White did in Scripture Alone (ie: I dont care for the technique, but realize that it might be helpful for others). A useful 3-session study guide for this item is available on-line. Tim Challies has a review of Quest here.

+Olson, Carl E. & Sandra Miesel The Da Vinci Hoax: The Truth About Jesus, Christianity, Mary Magdalene, and The Da Vinci Code (Ignatius Press, 2004) 329pp. 1-58617034-1 $15.95 USD
"Co-authored by a theologian and a medievalist, The Da Vinci Hoax hasbeen described by Francis Cardinal George of Chicago as 'the definitive debunking.' At 330 pages and with 555 footnotes, it is the most exhaustive and meticulous refutation of the biblical, theological, historical, philosophical, and artistic errors of The Da Vinci Code."
Papist, but looks interesting (even Marvin Olasky endorses it!). Furthermore, Marcia Ford, author and able DVC et.al. reviewer (see below), has these glowing words: "Olson, editor of Envoy magazine and a Catholic author with an evangelical background, and Miesel, a journalist with master's degrees in biochemistry and medieval history, provide a wealth of richly detailed historical and theological information in their extensive volume. Chapters are arranged topically and thoroughly cover the subject under discussion, whether it's Gnosticism or the Knights Templar or Leonardo's art. More than the other titles, this book looks at the cultural and religious factors that have combined to contribute to the success of DVC."

Price, Robert M. Da Vinci Fraud: Why the Truth is Stranger than Fiction (Prometheus Books, 2005) 296pp. 1591023483 $18.00 USD
NT Scholar and member of the Jesus Seminar puts in his 2¢.

+Strobel, Lee & Gary Poole Discussing The Da Vinci Code (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006) 96 pp. 0310272653 $7.99 USD
Discussion Guide & DVD for small group study. New.

Strobel, Lee & Gary Poole Exploring The Da Vinci Code: Investigating Issues Raised by the Book & Movie (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006) 112pp. 0310273722 $4.99 USD
New.

Welborn, Amy - De-Coding Da Vinci (Our Sunday Visitor, 2004) 124pp. 1-5927-6101-1 $9.95 USD

Williams, Garry - The Da Vinci Code: From Dan Brown's Fiction to Mary Magdalene's Faith(Christian Focus, 2006) 1-84550-121-7 $3.99 USD
Recommended by Westminster Seminary. Publisher remark: "Garry Williams teaches Church History and Doctrine at Oak Hill Theological College in London, England. Here he answers seven of the key claims raised by Dan Brown's book and points you towards a story even more intriguing - and more firmly based on fact."

+Witherington III, Ben The Gospel Code (Downers Grove: IVP, 2004) 252pp. 0-8308-3267-X $15.00 USD
James Dunn's student, apparently, does an adequate job.

Sacred Resources On-Line
(Please send me additional links, and I will update.)

Challenging Da Vinci Website
Australian David McKay informs me that this is,"a site created by Sydney Anglican Media to address questions posed by the Da Vinci Code. The site will be advertised with the introductory short ad at cinemas. Greg Clarke, who wrote a lot of the material, says he thnaks God for the book and film because it has given opportunities to address hundreds of non Christians and share the gospel with them. He's going on a national church-hopping tour talking about the film, book and the Bible."

Christianity Today "The Da Vinci Rejects"
Humour: What other publishers could have done to respond to Dan Browns bestseller.

Christianity Today - "Decoding The Da Vinci Code"
Has links to other articles on the topic; but, overall, rather sparse.

Discusing the Da Vinci Code
A sub-site of Bible.org with many helpful, academic resources.

Ford, Marcia 'DA VINCI DEBUNKERS: Spawns of Dan Brown's Bestseller'
Seminal reviews of 11 books about/or responding to DVC. Recommended
_________ 'The Book That Will Not Go Away'
Further reviews of 15 titles which either debunk or imitate DVC. Recommended

Jeff Down's Resource Index: The Da Vinci Code Page
A handy reference to a multiplicity of Books (most herein mentioned), audio, and online essay links. Recommended

JesusAndDaVinci website
A nexus of linked articles, a discussion group, and (Josh McDowell) resource store. Part of a network of Campus Crusade sites responding to Brown's novel and the movie, catalogued by Rob Williams of CCC here.

Rhodes, Ron "Crash Goes the Da Vinci Code"
An helpful essay dealing forthrightly with many significant quotes. By a recognized and competent apologist.

Rogers, Jay The Real Jesus, Part Two:Debunking The Da Vinci Code
Part of a planned DVD presentation on The Real Jesus by the director of The Forerunner. This part deals with Brown's gnostic delusions. In Jay's words: "Originally, I had planned to make it available upon the release of the movie. I probably will have part 1 of the video done by summer, and the Da Vinci Code section (part 2) will probably appear in 2007 as
part of the video series -- The Real Jesus: Exposing the Christological Heresies of Pop Culture."

The Da Vinci Dialogue website
Sponsored by HollywoodJesus (?), with the cooperation of Sony Pictures(?). From their Expert page: "Highly regarded Christian leaders and scholars volunteered to tackle the controversial topics within The Da Vinci Code. Between now and the release of the film, the Da Vinci Dialogue will regularly post new and insightful essays from these experts. Additional essay contributors will be announced in the coming days." The range of experts include: John L. Allen, George Barna, Darrell L. Bock, Tony Campolo, Chuck Colson, Gloria Gaither (yes, Bill's wife!), and the list goes on to represent papists, neo-evangelicals, liberals, and some half-decent representatives like Josh McDowell.

The Truth About Da Vinci.com
A reformed presence! Westminster Seminary has just (April 14th) launched a - growing - site with relevant apologetical articles, sermons, FAQs, video clips, Q&As, an e-store (really, Westminster Bookstore), and (forthcoming) White Papers, Discussion (forum?) and Banners(?). We'll keep tabs on it for updates. [HT to Steve Johnson from rtdisc.]

Turner, John Alan "Who is Really In the Gnosis?"
An article for Reflections Ministries about Dan Brown, Elaine Pagels, and Gnosticism. [HT to Mr. Turner.]

White, James - "Debunking Dan Brown's "Fact Based Fiction"
A lengthy combined version of several blog postings in which James deals in his usual, polemical style with issues of the book. Jame's three-part Sunday Schoo discussion of The Da Vinci Code is also online: Part I, Part II, Part III.

Wright, N.T. - "Decoding The Da Vinci Code"
The Bishop of Durham [CoE] weighs in on The Da Vinci Code.

Sacred DVDs

+The Da Vinci Code Deception (Grizzly Adams Productions) 120 min. 1-931602-86-7 $19.95 USD
A docu-drama with experts, setting-site tours, sermon outline, and group studies utilizing the material in the Lutzer, Bock, and Garlow/Jones titles (above). See also Grizzly Adams Productions.

Where Fact and Fiction Meet: The Biblical Christ in a Da Vinci Code Society $29.99 USD
Six pseudo-documentary studies - ideal for small groups - entitled, The Historical and Biblical Jesus, Ancient and Modern Gnosticism, The Real Words of Christ, Jesus, Mary, and the Role of Women in the Early Church, The Messiah, the Myths, and the Holy Grail and Reaching the Da Vinci Code Society. Comes with Outlines and personal and Bible Study questions.


Secular Titles

+Burstein, Dan, ed. Secrets of the Code (NY: CDS Books, 2004) 373pp. 1-59315-022-9 $21.95 USD/$29.95 CDN
Subtitle: The Unauthorized Guide to the Mysteries Behind The Da Vinci Code. A collection of essays, synopses, a glossary, cast, and web-resource guide by a variety of authors who represent a spectrum of interests in the material (ie: from the sympathies of a Michael Baigent or Margaret Starbird, through the ambivalence of Bart Ehrman or Elaine Pagels, to the helpful plot-hole exposé of David Shugat and the level-headed review by Laura Miller). Recommended.


Cox, Simon Cracking the Da Vinci Code (Sterling Publishing, 2004) 160pp. 1-4027-1837-3 $9.95 USD
A partisan work composed of short discussions of various Brown topics and esoterica. Cox writes, "This book isdesigned in such a way as to give the reader of The Da Vinci Code a primer on many of the factual elements in the book."

+Haag, Michael & Veronica - The Rough Guide to The Da Vinci Code, rev.ed.(London: Rough Guides, 2006 [2004]) 288pp. 1-84353-713-3 $10.99 USD/ $15.99 CDN
The best, pocket-sized, cheap - with relevant pics and diagrams - secular guide to the novel; now enhanced with movie-related trivia.

Lunn, Martin Da Vinci Decoded: The Truth Behind the New York Times #1 Bestseller (The Disinformation Company, 2004) 182pp. 0-9729-5297-7 $9.95 USD
A, purportedly, thorough examination by an unknown author who utilizes Brown's sources - sometimes, against him.

+Newman, Sharan The Real History Behind the Da Vinci Code (NY: Berkley, 2005) 337pp. 0-425-20012-4 $15.00 USD/$22.00 CDN
An alphabetically-arranged examination of people, places, and subjects raised in Browns novel, by an acclaimed medieval mystery writer, longtime member of the Medieval Academy, and Ph.D. candidate. She gives a generally sane, secular take on the material. For a sacred version in a similar format, see Garlow's The Da Vinci Codebreaker (above).

*Note: I have, on purpose, used the distinction between sacred and secular.This does not indicate, however, that I am under the impression that all the authors under the sacred designation are Christians, never mind conservative, evangelical, or reformed. Commensurate sentiments would be in play vice versa.
+Titles I own. Donotions of other resources, gladly accepted! (I am working on a presentation for locals.)