Category Archives: Book Review

Book Review: The Life of George Whitefield (Two Volumes)

Book by Arnold Dallimore

Review by Pastor John Kim

Dr. Steve Lawson presented the life of George Whitefield at the Shepherds Conference last year (2006) and I was just blown away by the life of this faithful vessel that God used to impact lives on both sides of the Atlantic in a way that just seems impossible to explain apart from the grace of God revealed through this man. I remember my brother and I running out of the seminar and picking up two of the last copies available at the conference bookstore. I started reading with an initial surge of excitement, only to get bogged down over the course of the year. After forgetting where I left off and having to restart the book at the beginning of the year, I finished both volumes in about two months. I’m sure some of you might remember a few quotes that I gave during sermons as I was duly impressed by the commitment and devotion of Whitefield to the Lord. He literally gave his body and soul to the point where he exhausted himself for the sake of the kingdom. His sermons were not just fanciful lectures but heartfelt pleas for sinners to repent and turn to Christ. He challenged the churches of his day to be stirred from their complacency and to be light and salt to all those around them, especially the destitute. He had a heart for orphans, starting an orphanage in Georgia which had a lasting impact in many lives. Whitefield was instrumental in the establishment of a number of universities which still are significantly established to this day, including Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, and Dartmouth. His range of ministry knew no bounds. He could speak to royalty one evening and then go to the poor colliers who were covered with coal dust and had nothing but pennies to give in their support. The account of his death moved me to tears as his body was racked with pain but soon gave way to his going to glory.

Biographies of those who have walked before us can inspire us and challenge us to look at our own lives and see if we are truly living our lives as holy sacrifices to God. I believe that too many of us think that those like George Whitefield were meant to be exceptions to the rule, almost fanatical in their faith. This is an unfortunate misconception. We need more Whitefields, especially men who would commit themselves to serve God wholeheartedly and unreservedly for the sake of His kingdom. I would recommend the reading of biographies of such men and women, especially this masterpiece by Dallimore ,which should stir your heart to pursue Christ with more fervency.

Reading Good Books Part 1

by Pastor John Kim

As it has been quite some time since I have made entries for this blog, I read over some of the past entries and saw that Pastor Patrick had given a list of favorite books that impacted his life. He mentioned that I would do the same at some point so I am going to try and catch up a bit by naming some of the books that have impacted my life.

1. The Cost of Discipleship, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I first read this in high school and it challenged me immensely to the whole idea of what it meant to follow Jesus. I recently read a new translation of it with some college guys and I was again impacted by the depth of commitment that Bonhoeffer not only wrote about but lived out in his own life, even to the point of martyrdom. While Bonhoeffer’s theology in other areas might be a bit questionable, this is one area where he was very clear and to the point. Discipleship means that you follow Jesus. This is not optional, this is what it means to be a Christian. If you don’t genuinely follow Jesus, then what are you?

2. Disciplines of a Godly Man, by R. Kent Hughes. I remember using this book when it first came out and it has become a staple in recommending to men in discipling relationships. Hughes writes in such a clear and straightforward manner that is both warm and yet hard-hitting in calling for application.

3. Found God’s Will, by John MacArthur. This little book has provided a simple foundation of determining God’s will – Are you saved? Are you Spirit-filled? Are you sanctified? Are you saying thanks? Are you submissive? Are you suffering? Then step forward as you will be in the path of God’s will as you live a life that is focused on His purposes and glory.

4. How to Interpret the Bible for Yourself, by Richard Mayhue. This simple approach to hermeneutics has been another staple of ministry in helping people learn what it means to dig a little deeper into God’s Word and mine the riches that are to be found when you go beyond the surface.

5. The Peacemaker, by Ken Sande. I still remember the first time I heard him speak at a conference on managing conflict in the church. It was the first time I had heard anyone address the issue of conflict management from a biblical perspective and I was overwhelmed with how crucial an issue it is, not only in church, but in any relational context. It was so life-changing that it was one of the first books that we went through here at Lighthouse for discipleship. The four principles of the Peacemaker’s Pledge are still a part of our membership commitment: Glorify God, Get the log out of your own eye, Gently confront, and Go and be reconciled.

6. Jonathan Edwards: A Life, by George Marsden. After taking a seminar with Dr. John Hannah of Dallas Seminary this past winterim at The Master’s Seminary, I was inspired to read what had initially been a difficult read but now I would have to say has been a challenging and inspirational story of a man who although was flawed like any other human, had to be the most God-entranced individual that I have ever read about. If I were to follow his footsteps for even a small portion of the path that he trod, I would be a hundred times more the man than I am now.

7. The Gospel According to Jesus, by John MacArthur. As I shared with the FOF 2 class a few weeks ago, this was a very real life issue for me while I was in college and was faced with a very significant group of people at the fraternity that took a “no-lordship” view and was quite militant in expressing their views, even to the point of calling me a heretic! I remember going to my college pastor, Chris Mueller, and he was able to secure for me a pre-release draft of the first chapter that John MacArthur was writing and I was incredibly encouraged, both by my college pastor’s overwhelming support and in knowing that my senior pastor was going to address it in a major league way. I have never forgotten the trials that I went through at that time but the lessons that I learned have reinforced the message of the gospel – to be a genuine Christian means that you love and follow Jesus, having repented of your sin and embraced Christ in faith by trusting Him as Lord and Savior. Your works don’t save you, your faith doesn’t save you. It’s God that saves you. And if Jesus Christ truly reigns as Lord in your life, you’ll follow Him, not perfectly, but lovingly and humbly.

There are a number of biographies that I will add later but for those who are looking for a good entry level set of biographical sketches, I would highly recommend John Piper’s set “The Swans Are Not Silent”, of which there are four very worthy trios of biographies given: 1) The Legacy of Sovereign Joy: God’s Triumphant Grace in the lives of Augustine, Martin Luther, and John Calvin; 2) The Hidden Smile of God: The Fruit of Affliction in the lives of John Bunyan, William Cowper, and David Brainerd; 3) The Roots of Endurance: Invincible Perserverance in the lives of John Newton, Charles Simeon, and William Wilberforce; 4) Contending for Our All: Defending Truth and Treasuring Christ in the lives of Athanasius, John Owen, J. Gresham Machen.

There are many more books that I have found to be significant reads and I’ll probably update this particular theme a number of times as I have a chance to sift through my library and remember what books were standouts. But one thing is for sure – I do appreciate good books that have challenged me to consider how I might live for God’s glory. Stop spending so much time watching “Lost,” “American Idol,” “24” and whatever else shows how lost your hours are in worshipping false gods. Read some good books and enrich your soul. =)

Spiritual Leadership

by Pastor Patrick Cho

“At the outset of any study of spiritual leadership, this master principle must be squarely faced: True greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you” (J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, 15).

Recently, I have been re-reading Spiritual Leadership, by J. Oswald Sanders, and I am glad to have picked it up again. It has been almost a decade since I last read it, and I am realizing that so much of the book has been forgotten, it is like reading it for the first time. Picking it up again has been a great encouragement and challenge to me. I highly recommend this book to anyone who aspires to spiritual leadership, and I suggest that those in positions of leadership who have not read this book do so soon.

Especially since I have been preaching through 1 Corinthians 8 and 9, the principle of setting aside personal freedoms and rights in order to serve others in love has been particularly highlighted these past few weeks. Even when something is your “right” in the Lord, if it would cause others to stumble in sin, it would be better to refrain so as not to stumble your brother. The general principle involved is that we are to look not merely after our own interests, but also to the interests of others (Phil. 2:4).

In the first chapter of Spiritual Leadership, Sanders astutely reminds his readers that leaders are held to this general principle with a higher accountability. Leadership is all about serving others and not just looking after your own selfish ambition or desires. It is giving up of yourself in love. This instruction from Sanders’ book is not new, but a timeless principle that I know I need to be constantly reminded of. Especially if you are in leadership, how are you using your position to serve others in the Lord? How are you giving up of yourself in love for others?

Book Review: God in the Dock

Book by C.S. Lewis

Review by Stephen Rodgers

Although it has been more than two decades since I first opened my copy of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, I can still remember the excitement I had in following the adventures of Peter, Lucy, the Professor, Aslan and the rest. “Give me just a little time,” the book seemed to say to me. “Give me just part of an evening, and I will show you a world of wonder.”

In God in the Dock, Lewis has wandered far afield from his fictional accounts of the world of Narnia. Rather the book is a collection of 48 short essays and 12 letters, divided into four major sections that deal with a multitude of issues and questions that confronted both the Christians and skeptics of his time.

Lewis is at his best in his role of “apostle to the skeptics” in this book. His trademark grandfatherly style simply builds reasonableness upon reasonableness, rather than coming out guns blazing in some sort of theological polemic. While he characterized himself as merely “a layman writing to other laymen,” Lewis’ brilliance and intellectual prowess is evident throughout the book. Although the truths he espouses are always presented with clarity and simplicity, the reader cannot help but note that the author is writing in the scholarly tradition. When Lewis humbly remarks in one essay that he “knows a little about this subject” (referring to literature of the ancient world), the reader is advised to take a large step back to avoid the crushing weight of sources and citations that Lewis brings to bear. Fail to do so, and you just might lose a toe or two.

While it should at least be noted that as a member of the Church of England, Lewis’ theology would be considered less rigorous than that of other writers in the Reformed tradition, the simple yet fundamental ideas that Lewis treats in this book do not contradict, oppose, or undermine any Biblical truths. Rather, in his exploration of such topics as “Evil and God,” “Miracles,” “Myth Became Fact,” and “Work and Prayer” Lewis consistently, patiently, and implacably lays out thoughtful and persuasive rationales that fall directly in line with Scripture.

In the essay that the book is named for, Lewis lays out the fundamental truth that carries through the entire work: the depravity of modern man in approaching God as something that must be validated by human terms and experience. In direct, simple, and unrelenting fashion Lewis exposes this “reversal of conscience” and directs the reader to understand the consequences of such a sin, letting them know in no uncertain terms, as we have so often heard, that “life is not about you.”

It is remarkable that more than twenty years later, Lewis’ writings still evoke in me that same sense of wonder and joy that I experienced as a child. Even though I have grown up, and my interests have matured (somewhat at least), it is of no small comfort to know that Lewis’ work stands the test of time, still able to edify in the pursuit of loving my God with all my mind.

Although it has been more than two decades since I first opened my copy of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, I can still remember the excitement I had in following the adventures of Peter, Lucy, the Professor, Aslan and the rest. “Give me just a little time,” the book seemed to say to me. “Give me just part of an evening, and I will show you a world of wonder.”
In God in the Dock, Lewis has wandered far afield from his fictional accounts of the world of Narnia. Rather the book is a collection of 48 short essays and 12 letters, divided into four major sections that deal with a multitude of issues and questions that confronted both the Christians and skeptics of his time.
Lewis is at his best in his role of “apostle to the skeptics” in this book. His trademark grandfatherly style simply builds reasonableness upon reasonableness, rather than coming out guns blazing in some sort of theological polemic. While he characterized himself as merely “a layman writing to other laymen,” Lewis’ brilliance and intellectual prowess is evident throughout the book. Although the truths he espouses are always presented with clarity and simplicity, the reader cannot help but note that the author is writing in the scholarly tradition. When Lewis humbly remarks in one essay that he “knows a little about this subject” (referring to literature of the ancient world), the reader is advised to take a large step back to avoid the crushing weight of sources and citations that Lewis brings to bear. Fail to do so, and you just might lose a toe or two.
While it should at least be noted that as a member of the Church of England, Lewis’ theology would be considered less rigorous than that of other writers in the Reformed tradition, the simple yet fundamental ideas that Lewis treats in this book do not contradict, oppose, or undermine any Biblical truths. Rather, in his exploration of such topics as “Evil and God,” “Miracles,” “Myth Became Fact,” and “Work and Prayer” Lewis consistently, patiently, and implacably lays out thoughtful and persuasive rationales that fall directly in line with Scripture.
In the essay that the book is named for, Lewis lays out the fundamental truth that carries through the entire work: the depravity of modern man in approaching God as something that must be validated by human terms and experience. In direct, simple, and unrelenting fashion Lewis exposes this “reversal of conscience” and directs the reader to understand the consequences of such a sin, letting them know in no uncertain terms, as we have so often heard, that “life is not about you.”
It is remarkable that more than twenty years later, Lewis’ writings still evoke in me that same sense of wonder and joy that I experienced as a child. Even though I have grown up, and my interests have matured (somewhat at least), it is of no small comfort to know that Lewis’ work stands the test of time, still able to edify in the pursuit of loving my God with all my mind.

Book Review: Father, Son, & Holy Spirit: Relationships, Roles, & Relevance

Book by Bruce Ware

Review by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Would you consider yourself a bad husband to your wife? A bad son or daughter? Do you dread work? Does the idea of authority or submission rub you the wrong way? These are questions many of us in the church face today when we see the reality of homes where Christ is not the sole focus of the family or the workplace. In terms of the Trinity, why bring this up? The doctrine of the Trinity is seen as a teaching far above us that we don’t see ourselves capable to begin to comprehend what God has said about this doctrine, much less see relevance in it.

In his book, Father, Son & Holy Spirit: Relationships, Roles, & Relevance, Bruce Ware introduces his readers to look upon the teaching of Scripture and see the beauty of the Trinity that has been hidden from many churches today. The doctrine of the Trinity is seen by believers as simply that – a doctrine. Their whole being is not filled with awe and wonder at the God who has purposely revealed Himself, for our benefit, as triune in His Holy Word. Ware has met the Triune God and is inviting us to be refreshed by the meaty truths of Scripture that truly affects how we relate to both God and others.

Ware gives a brief definition of the Trinity to help Christians clearly articulate this beautiful teaching: “The doctrine of the Trinity affirms that God’s whole and undivided essence belongs equally, eternally, simultaneously, and fully to each of the three distinct Persons of the Godhead” (p.41). Delving into passages such as Gen. 1:1, Isa. 45:5-6, Rom. 3:29-30, Psa. 2, Eph. 1:9-12, Php. 2:5-11, Jn. 17:3, 1 Cor. 8:6, Jn. 1:1, Heb. 1:1-3, and Acts 10-11 (to name a few) draws you to see and behold the glory of the great God in Scripture who shows perfect love within the Godhead and desires to share that love with His creatures, not out of necessity, but out of geniune love and joy overflowing from within His own Being.

This book is broken into explaining each Person of the Trinity deeply rooted from God’s own infallible and inerrant word. To see the love each has for the other is mesmerizing. The Father is the one who is eternally Father, of whom the eternal Son submits perfectly under His authority. While on earth, Jesus sought to do the will of the Father, that which pleased Him (John 8:28-30). The Father sought to have Christ as central in His plan of redemption (Eph. 1:3-12). The Holy Spirit humbly and, without grumbling, works to glorify the Son (John 16:12-14).Do you see the implications this has on us as believers? Being made in the image of God, we are “to image God and His purposes in the ordering of our lives and carrying out of our God-given responsibilities” (p. 133). Do you work to image your God in the way He has revealed Himself at work? With your immediate family and within the family of Christ’s blood-bought bride? As Ware repeatedly states, marvel! Behold your God!

Would you consider yourself a bad husband to your wife? A bad son or daughter? Do you dread work? Does the idea of authority or submission rub you the wrong way? These are questions many of us in the church face today when we see the reality of homes where Christ is not the sole focus of the family or the workplace. In terms of the Trinity, why bring this up? The doctrine of the Trinity is seen as a teaching far above us that we don’t see ourselves capable to begin to comprehend what God has said about this doctrine, much less see relevance in it.
In his book, Father, Son & Holy Spirit: Relationships, Roles, & Relevance, Bruce Ware introduces his readers to look upon the teaching of Scripture and see the beauty of the Trinity that has been hidden from many churches today. The doctrine of the Trinity is seen by believers as simply that – a doctrine. Their whole being is not filled with awe and wonder at the God who has purposely revealed Himself, for our benefit, as triune in His Holy Word. Ware has met the Triune God and is inviting us to be refreshed by the meaty truths of Scripture that truly affects how we relate to both God and others.
Ware gives a brief definition of the Trinity to help Christians clearly articulate this beautiful teaching: “The doctrine of the Trinity affirms that God’s whole and undivided essence belongs equally, eternally, simultaneously, and fully to each of the three distinct Persons of the Godhead” (p.41). Delving into passages such as Gen. 1:1, Isa. 45:5-6, Rom. 3:29-30, Psa. 2, Eph. 1:9-12, Php. 2:5-11, Jn. 17:3, 1 Cor. 8:6, Jn. 1:1, Heb. 1:1-3, and Acts 10-11 (to name a few) draws you to see and behold the glory of the great God in Scripture who shows perfect love within the Godhead and desires to share that love with His creatures, not out of necessity, but out of geniune love and joy overflowing from within His own Being.
This book is broken into explaining each Person of the Trinity deeply rooted from God’s own infallible and inerrant word. To see the love each has for the other is mesmerizing. The Father is the one who is eternally Father, of whom the eternal Son submits perfectly under His authority. While on earth, Jesus sought to do the will of the Father, that which pleased Him (John 8:28-30). The Father sought to have Christ as central in His plan of redemption (Eph. 1:3-12). The Holy Spirit humbly and, without grumbling, works to glorify the Son (John 16:12-14).Do you see the implications this has on us as believers? Being made in the image of God, we are “to image God and His purposes in the ordering of our lives and carrying out of our God-given responsibilities” (p. 133). Do you work to image your God in the way He has revealed Himself at work? With your immediate family and within the family of Christ’s blood-bought bride? As Ware repeatedly states, marvel! Behold your God

Would you consider yourself a bad husband to your wife? A bad son or daughter? Do you dread work? Does the idea of authority or submission rub you the wrong way? These are questions many of us in the church face today when we see the reality of homes where Christ is not the sole focus of the family or the workplace. In terms of the Trinity, why bring this up? The doctrine of the Trinity is seen as a teaching far above us that we don’t see ourselves capable to begin to comprehend what God has said about this doctrine, much less see relevance in it.
In his book, Father, Son & Holy Spirit: Relationships, Roles, & Relevance, Bruce Ware introduces his readers to look upon the teaching of Scripture and see the beauty of the Trinity that has been hidden from many churches today. The doctrine of the Trinity is seen by believers as simply that – a doctrine. Their whole being is not filled with awe and wonder at the God who has purposely revealed Himself, for our benefit, as triune in His Holy Word. Ware has met the Triune God and is inviting us to be refreshed by the meaty truths of Scripture that truly affects how we relate to both God and others.
Ware gives a brief definition of the Trinity to help Christians clearly articulate this beautiful teaching: “The doctrine of the Trinity affirms that God’s whole and undivided essence belongs equally, eternally, simultaneously, and fully to each of the three distinct Persons of the Godhead” (p.41). Delving into passages such as Gen. 1:1, Isa. 45:5-6, Rom. 3:29-30, Psa. 2, Eph. 1:9-12, Php. 2:5-11, Jn. 17:3, 1 Cor. 8:6, Jn. 1:1, Heb. 1:1-3, and Acts 10-11 (to name a few) draws you to see and behold the glory of the great God in Scripture who shows perfect love within the Godhead and desires to share that love with His creatures, not out of necessity, but out of geniune love and joy overflowing from within His own Being.
This book is broken into explaining each Person of the Trinity deeply rooted from God’s own infallible and inerrant word. To see the love each has for the other is mesmerizing. The Father is the one who is eternally Father, of whom the eternal Son submits perfectly under His authority. While on earth, Jesus sought to do the will of the Father, that which pleased Him (John 8:28-30). The Father sought to have Christ as central in His plan of redemption (Eph. 1:3-12). The Holy Spirit humbly and, without grumbling, works to glorify the Son (John 16:12-14).Do you see the implications this has on us as believers? Being made in the image of God, we are “to image God and His purposes in the ordering of our lives and carrying out of our God-given responsibilities” (p. 133). Do you work to image your God in the way He has revealed Himself at work? With your immediate family and within the family of Christ’s blood-bought bride? As Ware repeatedly states, marvel! Behold your God!

Recommended Books

by Pastor Patrick Cho

A question was brought up at church during a Question/Answer session that I thought would be good to post a blog about. Someone asked Pastor John which books had he read (besides the Bible) that were most influential to him. I suppose John will want to post his own list of books at some later date when he returns from his sabbatical, but I thought I would post a list of books that were particularly influential to me. It is probably important to note first that I am not as well-read as Pastor John, so his list of books come from a greater pool of knowledge. Also, this list is not my attempt at the best books ever written (I’m sure others will have suggestions of books that were left off the list), only the books that have made the strongest impact on my life. With that said, here is my list of books (not in any particular order):

1. Disciplines of a Godly Man, R. Kent Hughes
This book was particularly influential during college in helping me understand biblically what it means to be a strong, godly man. It became even more important to me after I was able to sit under Kent Hughes’ teaching during a class in seminary and to see that he not only wrote it, but lives it as well. I remember thinking after reading this book that there are a great many aspects about my life that need to change.

2. The Gospel according to the Apostles, John MacArthur (a.k.a. Faith Works)
This book was a bit less technical than its prequel (The Gospel according to Jesus). It was the book that really helped me get my arms around the whole “Lordship Salvation” issue. MacArthur does a great job proving from Scripture that a changed life is indicative of true saving faith.

3. Today’s Gospel: Authentic or Synthetic, Walter Chantry
One of the greatest finds you can make is small books with huge impact. Today’s Gospel is one such book. Using the story of the rich young ruler from the book of Mark, Chantry walks through a biblical presentation of the whole gospel. A great book to read along with this one is Will Metzger’s, Tell the Truth.

4. Let the Nations Be Glad, John Piper
After reading this book, it’s hard not to want to travel to the ends of the earth preaching the gospel of Christ. Piper’s missiology is refreshingly God-centered. The book begins by hammering down this thought, “Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t.”

5. Light from Old Times, J. C. Ryle
Ryle’s account of the English Reformers who were burned at the stake by “Bloody Mary” is incredibly moving and inspiring. As you read through the lives of men like Hugh Latimer, John Hooper, Nicholas Ridley, and Thomas Cranmer, your heart will be set on fire because you will know the sacrifices men have made for the sake of the gospel.

6. Holiness, J. C. Ryle
Each chapter in this book cut like a knife into my heart. I felt like Isaiah when he saw the holiness of God in Isaiah 6, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” Ryle helped me attain a glimpse of God’s holiness and a greater awareness of the necessity of holy living for the believer.

7. When People Are Big and God Is Small, Ed Welch
I did not think I had a big problem with the fear of man before I read this book. After I read this book I realized how much of my life was governed by the way others viewed me. Welch confronted my pride like few other books have ever done and helped me see a problem in myself that I previously had not seen.

8. Brothers, We Are Not Professionals, John Piper
This book has been helpful in understanding the importance of biblical pastoral ministry. Since I have not finished it yet, I can’t give a complete review. But Pastor John, Raymond Kim, and I have been going through it together and so far it has been a tremendous blessing. It is not only for pastors. Any believer would be helped by reading this book. The chapter on a biblical view towards baptism is especially good.

9. Lectures to My Students, Charles Spurgeon
If you are considering full-time ministry as a pastor or missionary, this book is required reading. Spurgeon deals with a number of issues regarding the heart of the man who is called by God for pastoral ministry. He will help you think through the decision-making process of going into ministry.

10. Can Man Live without God? Ravi Zacharias
This is a great book that takes on some of the philosophies of the world . . . and beats them to a pulp. It was a particularly great book for me since I minored in philosophy in college. It helped answer many questions I had about answers to critics of the Bible and it helps to show the utter meaninglessness of life without Creator God.

Honorable Mentions:
The Cross-Centered Life, C. J. Mahaney
Spiritual Leadership, J. Oswald Sanders
Fundamentals of the Faith, Grace Community Church
Desiring God, John Piper
The Minister as Shepherd, Charles Jefferson
Repentance and 20th Century Man, C. John Miller
The Gospel according to Jesus, John MacArthur
The Master’s Plan for the Church, John MacArthur
Tell the Truth, Will Metzger
Not Even a Hint, Joshua Harris
Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, Mark Dever
The Pursuit of Holiness, Jerry Bridges

I’m sure there are more, but this is what I can think of off the top of my head. I’ll have to peruse my shelves to see if I’ve forgotten any.

The Da Vinci Code – Muddling Fact and Fiction

by Pastor Patrick Cho

After all the press releases and online interactions with and criticisms and praises of The Da Vinci Code, I finally caved in and read the book last week. I have to admit that it was a thrilling read and was at times very difficult to put down. The first half of the book was especially good. At times the dialogue was tedious and read much like a textbook or documentary and Brown did not do much with character development, but the plot is what drives this book. The twists, shockers, and surprises at the end of each chapter made the novel read much like one of these television mini-series. As much as many people are hooked on “24” or “LOST,” I have to admit that I was pretty hooked on The Da Vinci Code. If you’re looking for a spectacular, knock-you-out-of-your-seat ending, you’ll be disappointed, but it’s still an entertaining read.

That having been said, as entertaining as it was, the book caused me great concern and much of its contents were quite disturbing. As many have read in the press releases, Dan Brown is not shy about making claims about the historical accuracy of much of the book. Although it is written in the genre of fiction, the book still instructs its readers about various facts and interesting conjectures of history. There is much written concerning art history, European history, and even church history. The problem with this is that Brown does not care to make any distinction between what is true history and what is mere speculation. Most of the claims are presented by characters who are supposed experts of symbology and history who have spent their lifetimes studying such “facts.” And most of the claims ooze believability in the way they are presented.

One of the areas of greatest concern is that when it comes to church history in particular, Brown’s research is less than extraordinary and at times very misleading. Coupled with the fact that many of his claims about church history are made in the immediate context of other interesting facts about art history and symbology, the book essentially deceives readers into believing that the historical claims are all equally true (and this doesn’t take into account that not all of Brown’s claims about art history and European history are very good either).

One example of Brown’s mishandling of art history is with Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” This mural depicts the scene in the gospels when Jesus reveals to His disciples in the Upper Room that one of them would betray Him. In The Da Vinci Code, one of the characters points to the fact that at Christ’s right hand, the seat of honor, is not the Apostle John as the vast majority of art historians claim, but actually Mary Magdalene – Jesus’ alleged wife. Woven through the entire plot of the novel is a contrived conspiracy about the Roman Catholic Church and a clandestine group called The Priority of Sion seeking to squelch the truth that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were actually married and bore children. The Holy Grail, then, is not the cup from which Christ drank, but the “holy bloodline” of Christ. This, of course, does not take into account that even Da Vinci’s own notes explain that it is indeed John the Baptist seated at Christ’s right hand – not Mary Magdalene!

One of the biggest heresies in the book is the claim that Jesus was not considered to be divine by His followers until A.D. 325 at the Council of Nicea. Here’s an excerpt from the book:

“My dear,” Teabing declared, “until that moment in history [the Council of Nicea in A.D. 325], Jesus was viewed by His followers as a mortal prophet. . . a great and powerful man, but a man nevertheless. A mortal.”
“Not the Son of God?”
“Right,” Teabing said. “Jesus’ establishment as the Son of God was officially proposed and voted on by the Council of Nicaea.”
“Hold on. You’re saying Jesus divinity was the result of a vote?”
“A relatively close vote at that,” Teabing added (pg. 233).

Of course, anyone who has read the New Testament or studied church history even in a cursory way knows that Jesus’ divinity was not invented in the early 4th century. The Council of Nicea was made necessary because a man named Arius and his followers refused to believe that Christ was of the same substance as God. They claimed that Christ was a created being and not God in the flesh. Contrary to The Da Vinci Code, Jesus’ divinity was believed and confessed by all of His true followers up to the Council of Nicea and even to today. Not only this, but the result of the vote at Nicea was a 300 to 2 landslide in favor of the orthodox belief that Jesus was indeed God, “true God from true God” – hardly a close vote!

There are many more unfortunate historical discrepancies in The Da Vinci Code, but the purpose of this post is to alert the reader to its dangers. If anything, it is probably better to read the historical claims in the novel with a degree of doubt rather than to take everything written at face value. Unfortunately, not all of the book’s readers have done so. One poll suggested that up to 60% of the people who have read the novel believe Jesus was actually married. This is just one indicator of the book’s tremendous influence.

For more on The Da Vinci Code, visit the website created by the staff at Westminster Theological Seminary: www.thetruthaboutdavinci.com.