The Deity of Christ and Mary Magdalene

Introduction:
1. This is our FINAL day of our 3-part series entitled: The DaVinci Delusion
- this is a response the book, The DaVinci Code, by Dan Brown AND the new movie released last weekend (however, the movie doesn’t seem to be doing so well)
2. Our goal in this series fits into the category of Eph. 4:11-16 – “equipping the saint”
- with a book that has sold over 40 millions copies and translated into several languages, it deserves a biblical response
- keep in mind, our key verse:
 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
3. Due to the impact this book is having, we thought it best to conclude our Series: God Wrote a Book with a specific application to a cultural situation – i.e. the popularity of Brown’s book!
- when people start saying that they are NOT going to go to church again because the church is based on a bunch of lies, you NEED to respond!
- though this situation is not new, many have rejected Christ and His Word in the past, it does require a bit of attention!
4. Bottom Line: The DaVinci Code makes accusations that are NOT true – totally discounting the biblical record, and attacks the most important person in our lives: Jesus Christ!
5. The last 2 weeks we’ve studied:
Part 1: The Minor Errors and the Art
Part 2 The Four Gospels and the Canon of the NT – LAST week!
Part 3 The Deity of Christ and Mary Magdalene – TODAY!
- your study guide will help you to follow along as we go – we will STOP the DVD at certain times to further discuss specific points
[START the DVD]
Part 5: The Deity of Christ
Most astonishing claim: The church did not believe that Jesus was the divine Son of God until a close vote at the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. [see The DaVinci Code, p. 233]
Most scholars (Christian and secular) say the evidence overwhelmingly refutes this claim!
Facts:
1) The Apostle Paul embraced the truth that Jesus was the Son of God
2) Other writings from non-Christians
3) Statements from the NT itself – all written in the 1st century
 John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
 John 20:8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed.
4) Jesus’ claim to deity incurred the wrath of many, and ultimately the reason He was crucified.
 John 10:30 "I and My Father are one." 31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. 32 Jesus answered them, "Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?" 33 The Jews answered Him, saying, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God."
5) 1st, 2nd, and 3rd century writings outside the Bible attest to the divinity of Christ on the part of Christians
6) Many of the early church fathers affirmed Christ’s divinity in their writings long before the 4th century.
7 ) Even the Gnostic Gospels (Brown’s major source of truth), seem to regard Christ as divine!
Point: Historically, it’s clear that Jesus claimed to be God, and His followers, from the very beginning, believed Him to be God.
Q: What about the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D.?
Facts:
1) Bishops around the world called together by Constantine
2) Never asked to vote on anything
3) Simply the writing of a statement about what Christians believed ( part of which included what they believed about Jesus)
* Purpose of Council of Nicaea: Called, not to question the divinity of Christ, but to question whether or not God created His first being as Jesus – whether He was ‘begotten’ or made. Nobody went to the Council wondering if Jesus was divine.
> The “vote” = people were asked to sign the Creed once it was adopted – all but 2 of the bishops signed the Creed.
[STOP after Kennedy’s summary]
Input: Why the attack on the deity of Christ? Why is that truth such an issue?
[various answers – but if Jesus isn’t Who He said He was or is not what the Scriptures present Him to be, then man can live however he wants]
- it might be good to remind ourselves of other passages that has ‘divine implications’ to the Person and work of Jesus Christ:
 Philippians 2:9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 John 5:20 "For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. 21 "For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. 22 "For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23 "that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.
Input: How does this attack impact the Gospel? Our proclamation of it and living it?
- we are living for our God, not some common man who claimed to be God!
Input: What is your response so far? [various answers]
- if you’re not very upset at this point, then hang on to your seat – this last point is quite disturbing!
[CONTINUE the DVD]
Part 6: Mary Magdalene and Jesus were married
Holy Grail = NOT the cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper, but it is a person, Mary Magdalene.
Facts: Nothing in the OT or NT analogizes a grail to a woman.
 The DaVinci Code argues that Jesus was secretly married to Mary Magdalene, and they bore a child who became the ancestor of a royal line of French kings.
Problem: The source for this info is forged documents planted in Paris’ National Library.
Fact: There is no evidence from any documents of any sort that verifies this claim a/b Jesus/Mary!
[STOP @ 58 min. 09 sec //the end Sandra Miesel’s comments]
Input: Why would people be so intrigued about a sexual active Jesus?
• Justify their own life style
• our culture/world is becoming more & more ‘sex crazed’
[CONTINUE DVD]
Q: Where does the idea come from? . . . Brown claims it comes from the Gospel of Philip (written 250 A.D.)
[Note: This was NOT written by the Apostle Philip who died about 150 years before this book.]
 Maeir: “Not one of the Gnostics claim Jesus married Mary Magdalene.”
 Anderson: “The Bible never says that Jesus was married. There are times it would have been very appropriate for it to say so!”
Example: Jesus in the cross – making special arrangements for Mary, his mother. Mary Magdalene was there, but nothing is said about caring for her!
Example: Paul – 1 Cor. 9:5
The Da.Vinci Code: Mary Magdalene was the OUTCAST one! While Jesus chose her to run the church, male patriarchy overran her and took charge.
Q: Who was Mary Magdalene and what kind of relationship did she have with Jesus?
1) The Gospels present her in a fascinating way.
2) She was cleansed of devils, set free, and became a friend of Jesus, traveled with him, one of the eye-witnesses of the empty tomb, . . . etc.
Major Point: Not all love is sexual! The love Mary Magdalene had for Him was spiritual only.
[STOP 1 hr. 02 min. 08 sec – right after Warren Gage’s comments]
Input: Jesus is married, but to whom?
 The church is the bride of Christ!
 John 3:39 – John the Baptist referred to Jesus as the Bridegroom
 John 3:29 "He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.
 John later would write:
 Revelation 21:9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, "Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife."
[CONTINUE the DVD]
Other examples:

Summary of Dr. Kennedy & other comments:

Point: Truth will prevail in the end – it’s stands the test of time!
Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life . . .”

[STOP the DVD after Dr. Kennedy’s final summary]
Conclusion & Wrap Up:
Q: What is your source of truth? Is God’s Word reliable? Did Jesus keep His promise in saying that ‘My word shall not pass away!’
Review the Gospel – the importance of knowing the TRUE Jesus
[Explain why He had to come because of the sin of the world – ‘all have sinned and come short of the glory of God’ – the plan of redemption (His death, burial, resurrection)
Give an example of a ‘model prayer’ of salvation – AND a prayer of repentance/purpose to live for God – to keep growing and changing and proclaiming the message of Christ!
- Remind everyone of the following:
 2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
- God has entrusted us with the message of His Son – the Redemptive Plan . . . the Gospel
> Who are your telling? Who are you trying to reach out to?

The DaVinci Delusion
Part 3
Introduction:
Key verse:
 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
Part 5: The Deity of Christ
Most astonishing claim: The church did not believe that Jesus was the divine Son of God until a close vote at the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. [see The DaVinci Code, p. 233]
[Note: Most scholars (Christian & secular) say the evidence overwhelmingly refutes this claim!]
Facts:
1) The Apostle Paul embraced the truth that Jesus was the Son of God.
2) Other writings from non-Christians point us to the deity of Christ.
3) Statements from the NT itself – all written in the 1st century – make the claim.
4) Jesus’ claim to deity incurred the wrath of many, and ultimately the reason He was crucified.
5) 1st, 2nd, and 3rd century writings outside the Bible attest to the divinity of Christ on the part of Christians
6) Many of the early church fathers affirmed Christ’s divinity in their writings long before the 4th century.
7 ) Even the Gnostic Gospels (Brown’s major source of truth), seem to regard Christ as divine!
Point: Historically, it’s clear that Jesus claimed to be God, and His followers, from the very beginning, believed Him to be God.
Q: What about the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D.?
Facts:
1) Bishops around the world called together by Constantine
2) Never asked to vote on anything
3) Simply the writing of a statement about what Christians believed ( part of which included what they believed about Jesus)
* Purpose of Council of Nicaea: Called, not to question the divinity of Christ, but to question whether or not God created His first being as Jesus – whether He was ‘begotten’ or made. Nobody went to the Council wondering if Jesus was divine.
> The “vote” = people were asked to sign the Creed once it was adopted – all but 2 of the bishops signed the Creed.
Input: Why the attack on the deity of Christ? Why is that truth such an issue?

Input: How does this attack impact the Gospel? Our proclamation of it and living it?
Input: What is your response so far?

Part 6: Mary Magdalene and Jesus were married
Holy Grail = NOT the cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper, but it is a person, Mary Magdalene.
Facts: Nothing in the OT or NT analogizes a grail to a woman.
 The DaVinci Code argues that Jesus was secretly married to Mary Magdalene, and they bore a child who became the ancestor of a royal line of French kings.
Problem: The source for this info is forged documents planted in Paris’ National Library.
Fact: There is no evidence from any documents of any sort that verifies this claim a/b Jesus/Mary!
Input: Why would people be so intrigued about a sexual active Jesus?

Q: Where does the idea come from? . . . Brown claims it comes from the Gospel of Philip (written 250 A.D.)
[Note: This was NOT written by the Apostle Philip who died about 150 years before this book.]
 Maeir: “Not one of the Gnostics claim Jesus married Mary Magdalene.”
 Anderson: “The Bible never says that Jesus was married. There are times it would have been very appropriate for it to say so!”
Example: Jesus in the cross – making special arrangements for Mary, his mother. Mary Magdalene was there, but nothing is said about caring for her!
Example: Paul – 1 Cor. 9:5
The Da.Vinci Code: Mary Magdalene was the OUTCAST one! While Jesus chose her to run the church, male patriarchy overran her and took charge.
Q: Who was Mary Magdalene and what kind of relationship did she have with Jesus?
1) The Gospels present her in a fascinating way.
2) She was cleansed of devils, set free, and became a friend of Jesus, traveled with him, one of the eye-witnesses of the empty tomb, . . . etc.
Major Point: Not all love is sexual! The love Mary Magdalene had for Him was spiritual only.
Input: Jesus is married, but to whom?
Other examples:

Point: Truth will prevail in the end – it’s stands the test of time!
Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life . . .”
Conclusion & Wrap Up:
 2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
> Who are your telling? Who are you trying to reach out to and tell about Jesus?