The Da Vinci Code Paradox

Rating: 10/10 (19 May 2006)

Ever since childhood I have been fascinated by two historical paradoxes. The first was the American Revolution which simultaneously established the land of freedom and the land of slavery. The second was Christianity which simultaneously embraced Jewish Jesus Christ and anti-Semitism.
The Da Vinci Code movie expands on the latter paradox by postulating that Jesus was married to Jewish Mary Magdalene and fathered a daughter, whose descendants may possess certain of His powers. Protagonists contend the church has ruthlessly suppressed these people and their supporters because they would undermine masculine authority by exalting women to a divine level. At one point in the film, certain people in hiding claiming to be these descendants reminded me of Holocaust survivors.
The Magdalene theory is not new. Most scholars reject it based on historical reasons and Christians reject it based on faith that Christ was single and celibate as Apostle Paul later declared a man of God should be. But The Da Vinci Code does not fail as a good movie despite rejecting its specific theory:
One) Much time is spent exploring the concept of paradox and the film demonstrates how several people looking at the same object see different things. Da Vinci's painting depicting the Last Supper is beautifully examined in this manner with the latest computer special effects.
Two) We are presented with a fair account of the historical controversies concerning the humanity and divinity of Jesus. As a Bible student, I am impressed by how effectively this description is offered to mass audiences who may not be well versed in such matters.
Three) Pictures tell a thousand words. Drama takes precedence over the intellectual presentation and holds your attention. We witness fervor from the antagonists, partake in a breath taking thriller, experience surprises galore, and are moved by the psychological development of the parties.
I won't disclose the ending but I can hint that it returns to the subject I raised at the beginning. I once read an explanation that Polish Catholic anti-Semitism resulted from being envious of the Jews' physical relation to Jesus even if not His literal descendants. Envy, because Jews experience a family closeness to Christ that Gentiles never achieve.
You see, the real paradox of The Da Vinci Code is that whether the theory about Mary Magdalene is true or not, the conclusion remains the same. Relatives of Jesus Christ do in fact exist. How about them apples?