29.03.06 1.00pm

NEW YORK - A wave of religious books is coming to bookstores to cash in on "The Da Vinci Code" movie in May, including a book saying Jesus survived crucifixion and an Evangelical novel with a modern-day Mary Magdalene heroine.

Americans are finally able to buy Dan Brown's best seller in paperback on Tuesday, three years after it was first published, and with "Da Vinci Code" fever as strong as ever, it's never been so profitable to write about Christianity.

After Brown's book sold 40 million copies worldwide, books that once might have been released in a limited print run will be stacked at the front of bookstores this spring.

Even Michael Baigent, who sued Brown in a London court this month for plagiarism, is riding on the "Code's" coattails, publishing his latest book, "The Jesus Papers," on Tuesday.

Baigent's previous book examined the controversial idea Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene, and had children - a key plot element in "The Da Vinci Code." His new book suggests Jesus did not die on the cross and lived on for years.

The new batch of "Da Vinci Code" spinoffs comes ahead of the May 19 release of the movie starring Tom Hanks.

Ehud Sperling, publisher of Inner Traditions, already owes a lot to Brown, who credited several of the publisher's books as sources, fueling a jump in sales for unlikely titles.

"The Gospel of Mary Magdalene," one of the so-called Gnostic Gospels not included in the New Testament, has sold more than 100,000 copies. "That's amazing for a translation from the Coptic," said Sperling, who has several new releases.

Evangelical Christian publisher Tyndale wants to do more than sell books - it aims to defend the faith. It has created a campaign titled "Da Vinci Didn't Convince Me" aimed at some 2,300 stores in the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA).

"The church needs to equip itself to answer the questions that this movie will raise," said Les Dietzman of CBA member Berean Christian Stores, an Ohio-based chain of 17 bookstores.

Erwin Lutzer's "The Da Vinci Deception" has sold some 300,000 copies. He likened the movie to a "spiritual tsunami." "'The Da Vinci Code' is the most serious assault against Christianity that I have ever witnessed," Lutzer said.

Lutzer, an Evangelical minister in Chicago, has prepared discussion packs for churches in the Tyndale package.

"The majority of people in our churches are going to see the movie and we're not telling them not to," he said, adding that he plans to see it so as to be able to discuss it.

Karen Kingsbury, a Christian fiction writer whose books have sold more than 4 million copies, has written a new book called "Divine," a parable about a modern Magdalene figure.

"There's different ways you can go after reading 'The Da Vinci Code.' You can just take it as entertainment and walk away or you may say 'I need to learn more about the history."' "But maybe even bigger is going to be that our society has a very strong curiosity about Mary Magdalene," Kingsbury said.

Amy Welborn, the Catholic author of "De-Coding Da Vinci" who has written a new book about Magdalene, says she is wary of giving credence to a work of fiction by protesting too much.

"What 'The Da Vinci Code' says about Jesus and Mary Magdalene is silly," she said.

On the more academic side, Oxford University Press is publishing "Peter, Paul and Mary Magdalene," by Bart Ehrman.

Ehrman, author of the 2004 book "Truth and Fiction in The Da Vinci Code," said most such books were by Evangelical Christians or Catholics worried about defending the faith.

"That wasn't my concern at all. I'm just interested in the historical issues that 'The Da Vinci Code' raised." Still he may be popular among such Christians because he says there is no evidence for the marriage of Jesus to Mary Magdalene and he dismisses the more controversial theories put forward by Baigent and others.

"There's not a single scholar on the face of the Earth who buys any of it," Ehrman said.

NZ Herald

I read "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" long time ago - like right after it came out and it's good.

I don't especially care for Dan Brown's style of writing and like you say, his theory on Mary M. making it to France is pure fabrication.

Tell me when the DVD is on sale in Thailand.

29.03.06 1.00pm

"That wasn't my concern at all. I'm just interested in the historical issues that 'The Da Vinci Code' raised." Still he may be popular among such Christians because he says there is no evidence for the marriage of Jesus to Mary Magdalene and he dismisses the more controversial theories put forward by Baigent and others.

"There's not a single scholar on the face of the Earth who buys any of it," Ehrman said.

NZ Herald

DON'T READ THIS

if you haven't read the book or seen the movie yet !

The paperback has been out for quite awhile (here in Thailand at least, as I sit looking at my paperback copy).

Did Jesus marry Mary ?

If Jesus didn't marry Mary, was he living with her in "sin" ?

Or did he prefer the company of his male disciples

It seems any answer other than a flat out "NO" would raise a lot of contoroversy for the church.

I thought the book was a good work of fiction, but a little too fast-paced (everything basically happens in too short of a time frame).

The first part was a little too exaggerated as well (after the elderly curator gets shot in the stomache, he manages to crawl a long way down the hall, into a side room where he hides a key and writes a message in invisible ink on a plexiglass shield. Then he crawls back into the main hallway, writes another message on the floor, strips off his clothes, draws a circle around his body and poses himself inside the circle before finally dying).

The idea of Mary and Jesus's child going to France is pretty preposterous as well. France at that time was a land of savages, conquered and controlled by the Romans. Middle Easterners would have stuck out like a sore thumb, unable to converse, different "culture", dress, customs and so on. The weather alone would have probably been enough to dissuade her from going there. There was no "Christian" community to shelter and protect her, as Christianity hadn't really even started yet.

(Jesus's mother took him to hide in Egypt after his birth. The cave they supposedly hid in is a well known tourist attraction in Cairo)

But still a good book otherwise, if you can ignore the religious implications.

I have a few special documentaries on the subject from the BBC and Discovery that are quite interesting to see. They destroy the book plot in no time. Not that they disagree with the idea but only some historical facts. What happened to Jesus is anyone guess. Every possibility is actually possible.

... The new batch of "Da Vinci Code" spinoffs comes ahead of the May 19 release of the movie starring Tom Hanks ....

Lets hope Mel Gibson isn't directing, then again it could be interesting,

I have a few special documentaries on the subject from the BBC and Discovery that are quite interesting to see. They destroy the book plot in no time. Not that they disagree with the idea but only some historical facts. What happened to Jesus is anyone guess. Every possibility is actually possible.

Well, there was a program on 'Discovery' last night about some researchers doing DNA coding of the bones of one of Mary M.'s supposed decedents in France - some Queen of Aragon I believe. Anyhow, they compared that DNA to that of these folks who run this church there in Jerusalem (can't recall the sect) which is the oldest Christian Church on the planet and there were no comparing 'markers'.

Personally, I don't think Mary M. made it to France from everything I've read. Best book out there though on this subject is still "Holy Blood, Holy Grail".

I don't understand all the noise over this book. It's fiction. He said it was fiction. It is sold in the fiction section of every bookstore. Why do people treat this like he is writing academic based papers for Havard? It's FICTION!

I don't understand all the noise over this book. It's fiction. He said it was fiction. It is sold in the fiction section of every bookstore. Why do people treat this like he is writing academic based papers for Havard? It's FICTION!

Not only that, it's a detective story that pales into insignificnce when compared to the master, Raymond Chandler.

A good book which takes the "human" life of Jesus as a theme is The Last Temptation of Christ by Nikos Kazantzakis - forget about the movie.

This book is also fiction (which means - as my 7 year old constantly reminds me - "it's not true, is it?).

I don't understand all the noise over this book. It's fiction. He said it was fiction. It is sold in the fiction section of every bookstore. Why do people treat this like he is writing academic based papers for Havard? It's FICTION!

It's a French conspiracy, to have the fat and ugly Americans come back to Paris for a more "intellectual" trip.

Well, if mainline publishers are suddenly interested in publishing books with Christian themes, maybe I'll copyright my double novel and try some real houses, rather than the self-publishing houses. I've worried for a year now that fiction readers wouldn't want to hear, for example, of Jesuit priests who are halfway honest, or modern day Christians willing to non-violently make peace at the cost of their life, or Christian pacifists being slaughtered as they were at Acteal, Chiapas on 22nd december 1997.

Maybe there's a demand in the market for stories about a faith that actually works in practice, and a faith that obeys Jesus regardless of the deadly consequences. Well, as long as the book also contains bloody massacres, bad evangelical missionaries, beautiful landscapes, lots of sex, fame and fortune, foreign countries, and funny jokes.

you never know peaceblondie - submit it again

dan browns novels have seemed to me to be tripe aimed at lovesick housewives . I read both his davinci and computer novel at a time when other eading material was scarce.

but the davinci book immediately made me think of the holyblood&grail book ( there was also a sequel ).

the HB&G said they originally settled in greece where they founded a cult

Well, if mainline publishers are suddenly interested in publishing books with Christian themes, maybe I'll copyright my double novel and try some real houses, rather than the self-publishing houses. I've worried for a year now that fiction readers wouldn't want to hear, for example, of Jesuit priests who are halfway honest, or modern day Christians willing to non-violently make peace at the cost of their life, or Christian pacifists being slaughtered as they were at Acteal, Chiapas on 22nd december 1997.

Maybe there's a demand in the market for stories about a faith that actually works in practice, and a faith that obeys Jesus regardless of the deadly consequences. Well, as long as the book also contains bloody massacres, bad evangelical missionaries, beautiful landscapes, lots of sex, fame and fortune, foreign countries, and funny jokes.

I would have a problem with your book, PB.

As I do with all stories that celebrate the activists at the expence of the "problems" for which they make their sacrifices:

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?ed...rticle_id=14424]My Name is Rachel Corrie[/url]

EDIT// This coding is correct - why is it not working as it should?

I can only assume that there an awful lot of people climbing on the Da Vinci bandwagon to make financial or other capital. Dan Brown's book is fiction and doesn't pretend to be anything else (I quite enjoyed it, actually).

It was based on an idea that has been kicking around for donkey's years. Baigent et al tried to sue - but they had written what they think is an academic work (average writing style, poorly evidenced and jumps to an awful lot of conclusions). They should be pleased that someone has written a work of fiction based on their work of fact.

The fundamental Christians hate it on principle and see political capital to be made. Personally, I am a practising Christian and have no problem with the book. Idon't accept it as fact, but that is quite a different matter. I also enjoyed Monty Python and the Holy Grail and particularly The Life of Brian, and I don't feel I've compromised my faith. The knockers should grow up.

I like the Da Vinci Code. It made me go off and do my own research on many topics.

I don't understand all the noise over this book. It's fiction. He said it was fiction. It is sold in the fiction section of every bookstore. Why do people treat this like he is writing academic based papers for Havard? It's FICTION!

Not only that, it's a detective story that pales into insignificnce when compared to the master, Raymond Chandler.

Last decent mystery I ever picked up was Agatha Christie. One does this genre well any more.

A good book which takes the "human" life of Jesus as a theme is The Last Temptation of Christ by Nikos Kazantzakis - forget about the movie.

This book is also fiction (which means - as my 7 year old constantly reminds me - "it's not true, is it?).

I'm looking forward to the movie. Then again I try to catch most movies that get here

Well, if mainline publishers are suddenly interested in publishing books with Christian themes, maybe I'll copyright my double novel and try some real houses, rather than the self-publishing houses. I've worried for a year now that fiction readers wouldn't want to hear, for example, of Jesuit priests who are halfway honest, or modern day Christians willing to non-violently make peace at the cost of their life, or Christian pacifists being slaughtered as they were at Acteal, Chiapas on 22nd december 1997.

Maybe there's a demand in the market for stories about a faith that actually works in practice, and a faith that obeys Jesus regardless of the deadly consequences. Well, as long as the book also contains bloody massacres, bad evangelical missionaries, beautiful landscapes, lots of sex, fame and fortune, foreign countries, and funny jokes.

I would have a problem with your book, PB.

As I do with all stories that celebrate the activists at the expence of the "problems" for which they make their sacrifices:

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?ed...rticle_id=14424]My Name is Rachel Corrie[/url]

EDIT// This coding is correct - why is it not working as it should?

Thomas, the URL you cited still doesn't work, so could you please explain about the activists and the expense and the problems? Tom Fox made the sacrifice in Iraq this year; 45 Christian pacifists made the sacrifice at Acteal on 12/22/1997; and Jesus made the sacrifice. It was expensive, and we celebrate Jesus' sacrifice to this day. Christians should be activists, rather than passivists.

Thanks, Thomas.

I'm looking forward to the movie. Then again I try to catch most movies that get here

Same here, though I don't think I'll be watching Brokeback anytime soon (cowboy movies that don't star Clint Eastwood just aren't worth watching !)

I'm looking forward to the movie. Then again I try to catch most movies that get here

Same here, though I don't think I'll be watching Brokeback anytime soon (cowboy movies that don't star Clint Eastwood just aren't worth watching !)

Or John Wayne!

Brokeback Mountain is worth a look.

Any gay cowboy movie that could make me get a tear in my eye has to be a masterpiece!

I'm looking forward to the movie. Then again I try to catch most movies that get here

Same here, though I don't think I'll be watching Brokeback anytime soon (cowboy movies that don't star Clint Eastwood just aren't worth watching !)

Or John Wayne!

He was gay, but you knew that, right ?

Brokeback Mountain is worth a look.

Any gay cowboy movie that could make me get a tear in my eye has to be a masterpiece!

Well, if mainline publishers are suddenly interested in publishing books with Christian themes, maybe I'll copyright my double novel and try some real houses, rather than the self-publishing houses. I've worried for a year now that fiction readers wouldn't want to hear, for example, of Jesuit priests who are halfway honest, or modern day Christians willing to non-violently make peace at the cost of their life, or Christian pacifists being slaughtered as they were at Acteal, Chiapas on 22nd december 1997.

Maybe there's a demand in the market for stories about a faith that actually works in practice, and a faith that obeys Jesus regardless of the deadly consequences. Well, as long as the book also contains bloody massacres, bad evangelical missionaries, beautiful landscapes, lots of sex, fame and fortune, foreign countries, and funny jokes.

I would have a problem with your book, PB.

As I do with all stories that celebrate the activists at the expence of the "problems" for which they make their sacrifices:

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?ed...rticle_id=14424]My Name is Rachel Corrie[/url]

EDIT// This coding is correct - why is it not working as it should?

Thomas, the URL you cited still doesn't work, so could you please explain about the activists and the expense and the problems? Tom Fox made the sacrifice in Iraq this year; 45 Christian pacifists made the sacrifice at Acteal on 12/22/1997; and Jesus made the sacrifice. It was expensive, and we celebrate Jesus' sacrifice to this day. Christians should be activists, rather than passivists.

Thanks, Thomas.

My main problem is this: too many Christians, whilst aspiring to be, assume they are, Christ, and act how they assume Christ would have acted. A state of affairs of which they have little knowledge given they are neither Perfect nor the Son of God.

This is relatively minor, I know, as I accept we all have different Ways on this planet before we must answer some fundamental questions from Our Maker.

What particularly galls me though, is that when these sacrifices (apart from the Ultimate and Absolute sacrifice of JC) are celebrated, this celebration is often, if not always, at the expense of the issues (with their arguments) for which they apparently gave their lives.

This is happening with Rachel Corrie, who was accidentally (foolishly) killed by an Israeli driven bulldozer in the Gaza strip.

Her "sacrifice" is now being celebrated, in the West End of London, in a hit play, partly written and directed by Alan Rickman. She is in the process of almost being beatified for her sacrifice to the cause.

But this cause is neither explained, nor argued for or against, or contextualised in any form. The assumption is: she died - murdered by the Israelis - therefore the cause is correct.

If only life and death was that simple.

I don't understand all the noise over this book. It's fiction. He said it was fiction. It is sold in the fiction section of every bookstore. Why do people treat this like he is writing academic based papers for Havard? It's FICTION!

Well done! Why do so many people seem to vererate it as something it was not intended to be???

My main problem is this: too many Christians, whilst aspiring to be, assume they are, Christ, and act how they assume Christ would have acted. A state of affairs of which they have little knowledge given they are neither Perfect nor the Son of God.

This is relatively minor, I know, as I accept we all have different Ways on this planet before we must answer some fundamental questions from Our Maker.

What particularly galls me though, is that when these sacrifices (apart from the Ultimate and Absolute sacrifice of JC) are celebrated, this celebration is often, if not always, at the expense of the issues (with their arguments) for which they apparently gave their lives.

This is happening with Rachel Corrie, who was accidentally (foolishly) killed by an Israeli driven bulldozer in the Gaza strip.

Her "sacrifice" is now being celebrated, in the West End of London, in a hit play, partly written and directed by Alan Rickman. She is in the process of almost being beatified for her sacrifice to the cause.

But this cause is neither explained, nor argued for or against, or contextualised in any form. The assumption is: she died - murdered by the Israelis - therefore the cause is correct.

If only life and death was that simple.

A cracking post TM. Some 'religious realism', if ever some were needed. Maybe you should write a book yourself - could be a best seller!

Actually TM .... aside for the religious silliness about some "ultimate sacrifice" ... and that other people's REAL sacrifices being unimportant ... i agree with everything you say ....

(comparing a fictional chracter ... no matter how cool of a parable he is ... to a real human?

I don't understand all the noise over this book. It's fiction. He said it was fiction. It is sold in the fiction section of every bookstore. Why do people treat this like he is writing academic based papers for Havard? It's FICTION!

Well done! Why do so many people seem to vererate it as something it was not intended to be???

People do that with every thing.

I don't understand all the noise over this book. It's fiction. He said it was fiction. It is sold in the fiction section of every bookstore. Why do people treat this like he is writing academic based papers for Havard? It's FICTION!

Well done! Why do so many people seem to vererate it as something it was not intended to be???

Agree its a good read...on it at the moment and like all those other religous novels...bible koran,7th day avengers stuff is/was and must only be considered for what they are and that is of course ... pure... FICTION.

Virgin (underage sex) Births,kings at Xmas,walking on water...yeah can belive that one but best of all must be the Scottish and Newcasle miri.......Vino Colappso red ...AD 0013.....gotta love it.

Thomas Merton, I just read the Rachel Corrie website and found no references to her having a tenth of whatever amount of religion you may have. I did, however, read four eye-witness accounts of her death, which was clearly murder by those accounts, murder by an Israeli driving a Caterpillar tractor.

Now, if you want examples of modern Christian pacifists who became martyrs for their faith, look no further than the Tzotzil Mayas at Acteal, Chenalho, Chiapas (12/22/1997), or to life-long Quaker and medical faculty professor, Tom Fox (Iraq, March 2006).

Or, you can wait for my book to come out! How much should I charge for the paperback?