The Da Vinci Code

Once I Was Blind

By Brian McCrorie Mon, 09/25/2006 - 2:00am

The Perspicuity of Scripture

I’ve always enjoyed secret codes. As a fourth-grader, I remember creating secret alphabets made of code to utilize in “top secret” communication between me and my friends. There was a great sense of satisfaction in decrypting one of our codes and reading the covert message. Like many other childhood adventures, secret codes faded from my interest over time.

This is not true, however, of all adults. In the recent movie Wordplay, the world gained a unique look into the culture of crossword puzzles and the people who solve them. From Will Shortz, creator of the famous New York Times puzzle, to celebrities like Bob Dole and Jon Stewart who decipher them, it seems that puzzle-solving and code-breaking are skills that are alive and well in humanity (Veith 1).

And that’s just one example. A myriad of modern movies (The DaVinci Code, National Treasure, the Indiana Jones series, Windtalkers) and television programs (CSI, Numb3rs, The Amazing Race, Lost, House) focus the attention of millions of Americans each week on cryptography.
read more

  • 954 reads

Da Vinci Code Box Office Falls In Second Weekend

By Greg Linscott Wed, 05/31/2006 - 10:13am

Box Office Mojo reports:
“In its second weekend, The Da Vinci Code dove 56 percent, the steepest fall of star Tom Hanks’ career following his biggest opening, which was boosted by millions of eager readers of the blockbuster novel. For the four-day weekend, the theological thriller claimed $42.4 million, raising its total to $144.9 million in 11 days.”

  • 293 reads

So Dark The Con of Mac

By Greg Linscott Fri, 05/26/2006 - 11:12am

This is funny.

  • 590 reads

Left Behind and The Da Vinci Code... Same Appeal?

By Greg Linscott Thu, 05/25/2006 - 3:10pm

Interesting.

  • 454 reads

DVC Film Sequels?

By Greg Linscott Mon, 05/22/2006 - 5:33pm

Details here.

  • 546 reads

DVC Opening Weekend 13th Best All-Time

By Greg Linscott Sun, 05/21/2006 - 4:16pm

Details at Box Office Mojo.

  • 447 reads

The Gospel of Judas

By Kevin T. Bauder Sun, 05/21/2006 - 7:07am

Not often do archeological discoveries and the publication of ancient manuscripts make headline news, but this is one of those times. The Gospel of Judas is the celebrity document, one of four ancient texts that were included in Codex Tchacos. The discovery and publication of this gospel has been hailed as a major breakthrough in the study of early Christianity. Special excitement has been generated because the Gospel of Judas depicts Judas Iscariot as a hero rather than a traitor.

The recovery and reconstruction of Codex Tchacos makes a fascinating story in its own right. It includes the plundering of ancient graves, illegal trade in antiquities, robbery, deception, betrayal, intrigue, and conspiracy. So interesting is the story that it has been published separately by National Geographic.

The text of the Gospel of Judas that is contained in Codex Tchacos is the only one known to exist. As far as we know, no one has read this document for well over a thousand years. As an artifact and a curiosity, it is enormously valuable. Its discovery and publication are to be welcomed.

The date of Codex Tchacos is almost certainly between 240 and 320 AD. It is written in Coptic, an ancient Egyptian language that used a modified Greek alphabet. The actual Gospel of Judas is considerably older than the codex, however. Irenaeus of Lyons described it during the latter half of the Second Century. Given the time that the gospel would have taken to come to the attention of Irenaeus, it must have been written no later than about 150.
read more

  • 274 reads