Rating: 
Summary: Good - not too preachy
Review: I have been reading a bunch of the critiques of Dan Brown's the Da Vinci Code and until this one I have been extremely disappointed. I found this book to do what I expected, it gave what seemed like an objective analysis of some topics discussed in Dan Brown's book. The author's arguments were short and more persuasive than many other books on the same topic. I think this book is a must read after the Da Vinci Code as it gives the other side of the argument without being too preachy. In fact, the book even looks at the Gnostic Gospels in an honest way. There are times when the evidence given could go either way and although the author draws his own conclusions, he gives you enough so that you know more than before you read and can draw your own conclusions. As a quick example, when looking at the Gospel of Philip, the author concludes that although it talks about Jesus kissing Mary frequently, he concludes that it was probably a platonic kissing. But since the author does go over the text with you, you are free to conclude differently. In the end, I feel the author does a pretty good job of discussing many of the controversial topics in the Da Vinci Code and does it more objectively than the other books out there. It is short and a pretty good read.
Rating: 
Summary: Good facts, but falls short
Review: I have read a couple of books on the Da Vinci code, as well as the novel (a definite page turner). While the facts are correct in this book, it seems a bit rushed to press and falls short on many issues. In trying to prove Dan Brown wrong, the author commits many of the same logical errors. The Da Vinci Code is held up by a couple of pillars: 1. The Priory of Sion: Bock completely ignores the Priory in his treatise. As this is a central thread throughout Dan Brown's book, it is rather strange that a rebuttal author would ignore this material, especially when it can easily be shown that the Priory is the creation of one Pierre Plantard (1993 court testimony, 1956 incorporation documents). 2. The Nag Hammadi library: The Gnostic gospels, which have been elevated to a very high status by some theological scholars, like Crosson, Spong, Pagels and Funk. Bock does a better job here, but does not delve deep enough to present a full rebuttal argument. Although he declares a win over the code, he has really done very little to dispute the Gnostic gospels or their supporters. I agree with Bock that Dan Brown's scholarship is lacking. I also agree with Bock's major points on the subject. But, Dan Brown is a novelist, while Bock is writing a critique or an apology (depending on how you view his work). While Bock presents some very good factual material, all of it seems to fall short on truly nailing the coffin shut on the subject and often raises more questions than it answers. Of course, this seems to be the rule with Da Vinci Code critiques. While not perfect itself, I prefer "Cracking Da Vinci's Code" by Garlow and Jones over this work.
Rating: 
Summary: Breaking the code.
Review: I regret buying this book, it is like reading an elementary school book. At no point did I feel as though I learned anything
new. Save your money, if this makes it to paperback it will be a
miracle. A fringe book riding the success of another author's work.
Rating:
Summary: A dissapointment...very shallow
Review: I'm a conservative Christian and a student of early church history. I read the Da Vinci Code. As entertainment, I found it puerile (see my review); as history, I found it mostly laughable. That said, Darrell Bock's book is a surprisingly weak and shallow attempt at refutation (I hesitate even to use the word refutation, so feckless is this effort). First, Bock ignores some of the more obvious historical untruths in Dan Brown's book, such as the claim that Constantine's conversion to Christianity was at best a deathbed decision, if it occurred at all. Second, his reasoning is often amazing shallow. I found in most instances that he simply introduces his position, cites minimal evidence in support of it, and then pronounces the case closed, in his favor of course. At times, it's hard to tell whether he's agreeing or disputing some of the writers he cites in defending his positions. Talk about vacillating! This is shoddy work, and hardly that of a scholar. If you're looking for a lucid and logically constructed refutation of The DaVinci Code, look elsewhere, 'cuz this sure ain't it!
Rating: 
Summary: People Hear What They Want to Hear
Review: I've read some of the Amazon reviews of Bock's "Breaking the Da Vinci Code" and I'm shocked. I think they all miss the point entirely. The main point that Darrel Bock makes, (and I happen to completely agree with), is that Dan Brown has a very clear political agenda behind his famous novel "The Da Vinci Code". I have no doubt of that. The great irony is that Dan Brown attacks orthodox Christianity for having an agenda, when in reality, it is Dan Brown who is distorting historical fact for a political agenda. Dan Brown's "theory" (if one can call it thus), is utterly meaningless and unprovable unless one thing should happen: and that's if someone discovered the Holy Grail (or Sangreal). There never has been any proof that a Holy Grail exists, or if it ever did, and there isn't even any agreement on what the Holy Grail would be if it did indeed exist. Until that day comes, Dan Brown's book is pure speculation at best, or revisionist history at worst. Darrell Bock explains in simple language what happened in the 1st through early 4th centuries and clearly shows where Dan Brown has his "facts" wrong in several cases. The flimsiest case is made by Dan Brown that the historical Jesus must have been married because he was "a Jew". Read Darrell Bock's insightful book and you'll agree how weak Brown's argument is, and how little biblical research actually went into such claims. I found Brown's claim that Constantine the Great was a sun worshipper to be completely unfounded by any knowledge we have of the man. Typically, oponents of Christianity accuse St Paul of deifying the "historical" Jesus of Nazereth throughout history. Now, Dan Brown claims it happened in the early 4th Century by Constantine as a political ploy, when clearly the letters of St Paul speak of Jesus as a divinity of sorts. So when was Jesus of Nazereth diefied, with St Paul or centuries later with Constantine? Clearly Dan Brown's case is weak at best. Maybe Darell Bock's criticism is non-conclusive, but at least he is a scholar who understands Gnosticism and has read and studied the ancient world's works and its many diverse religious sects, whereas I am doubtful that Dan Brown has. If Darrell Bock makes assumptions then Dan Brown makes preposterous assumptions with no basis on historical or scientific research.
Rating:
Summary: People Hear What They Want to Hear
Review: I've read some of the Amazon reviews of Bock's "Breaking the Da Vinci Code" and I'm shocked. I think they all miss the point entirely. The main point that Darrel Bock makes, (and I happen to completely agree with), is that Dan Brown has a very clear political agenda behind his famous novel "The Da Vinci Code". I have no doubt of that. The great irony is that Dan Brown attacks orthodox Christianity for having an agenda, when in reality, it is Dan Brown who is distorting historical fact for a political agenda. Dan Brown's "theory" (if one can call it thus), is utterly meaningless and unprovable unless one thing should happen: and that's if someone discovered the Holy Grail (or Sangreal). There never has been any proof that a Holy Grail exists, or if it ever did, and there isn't even any agreement on what the Holy Grail would be if it did indeed exist. Until that day comes, Dan Brown's book is pure speculation at best, or revisionist history at worst. Darrell Bock explains in simple language what happened in the 1st through early 4th centuries and clearly shows where Dan Brown has his "facts" wrong in several cases. The flimsiest case is made by Dan Brown that the historical Jesus must have been married because he was "a Jew". Read Darrell Bock's insightful book and you'll agree how weak Brown's argument is, and how little biblical research actually went into such claims. I found Brown's claim that Constantine the Great was a sun worshipper to be completely unfounded by any knowledge we have of the man. Typically, oponents of Christianity accuse St Paul of deifying the "historical" Jesus of Nazereth throughout history. Now, Dan Brown claims it happened in the early 4th Century by Constantine as a political ploy, when clearly the letters of St Paul speak of Jesus as a divinity of sorts. So when was Jesus of Nazereth diefied, with St Paul or centuries later with Constantine? Clearly Dan Brown's case is weak at best. Maybe Darell Bock's criticism is non-conclusive, but at least he is a scholar who understands Gnosticism and has read and studied the ancient world's works and its many diverse religious sects, whereas I am doubtful that Dan Brown has. If Darrell Bock makes assumptions then Dan Brown makes preposterous assumptions with no basis on historical or scientific research.
Rating:
Summary: To Go A Step Beyond
Review: If you loved DaVinci Code or if you hated it, you must admit it did get a reaction from you....which in itself is one definition of a successful novel. Many readers have found themselves more interested in the information detailed in Dan Brown's books, and if so, this book is a good choice to begin to learn about the amazing history of the Christian Church.
Especially Gnosticism and the early Christian Church, and especially the creation of the New Testament Bible. For a different review....here is my review of books that build on these interests, especially the "lost" books of the New Testament Bible and the concepts of Gnosticism.
Nearly all knowledgeable Biblical scholars realize there have been a wide range of writings attributed to Jesus and his Apostles..... and that some of these were selected for compilation into the book that became known as the Bible.....and that some books have been removed from some versions of the Bible and others have been re-discovered in modern times.
The attention focused on Gnosticism by Dan Brown's DaVinci Code may be debatable, but the fact is that increased attention on academics tends to be predominately positive, so I welcome those with first-time or renewed interest. At least first-timers to Gnosticism are not pursuing the oh-so-popular legends of the Holy Grail, Bloodline of Christ, and Mary Magdalene.
This is great......I seldom quote other reviewers, but there is one reviewer of Pagels' books who confided that he had been a Jesuit candidate and had been required to study a wide range of texts but was never was told about the Nag Hamadi texts. He said:
"Now I know why. The Gospel of Thomas lays waste to the notion that Jesus was `the only begotten Son of God' and obviates the need for a formalized church when he says, `When your leaders tell you that God is in heaven, say rather, God is within you, and without you.' No wonder they suppressed this stuff! The Roman Catholic Church hasn't maintained itself as the oldest institution in the world by allowing individuals to have a clear channel to see the divinity within all of us: they need to put God in a bottle, label the bottle, put that bottle on an altar, build a church around that altar, put a sign over the door, and create rubricks and rituals to keep out the dis-believing riff-raff. Real `Us' versus `them' stuff, the polar opposite from `God is within You.' `My God is bigger than your God' the church(s)seem to say. And you can only get there through "my" door/denomination. But Jesus according to Thomas had it right: just keep it simple, and discover the indwelling Divinity `within you and without you.'"
Here are quickie reviews of what is being bought these days on the Gnostic Gospels and the lost books of the Bible in general:
The Lost Books of the Bible (0517277956) includes 26 apocryphal books from the first 400 years that were not included in the New Testament.
Marvin Meyers' The Secret Teachings of Jesus : Four Gnostic Gospels (0394744330 ) is a new translation without commentary of The Secret Book of James, The Gospel of Thomas, The Book of Thomas, and The Secret Book of John.
James M. Robinson's The Nag Hammadi Library in English : Revised Edition (0060669357) has been around 25 years now and is in 2nd edition. It has introductions to each of the 13 Nag Hammadi Codices and the Papyrus Berioinensis 8502.
The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English (0140278079) by Geza Vermes has selected works....a complete work is more difficult to achieve than the publisher's marketing concept indicates. His commentary generates strong reactions.
Elaine Pagels has 2 books (The Gnostic Gospels 0679724532 and Beyond Belief : The Secret Gospel of Thomas 0375501568) that have received considerable attention lately. For many, her work is controversial in that it is written for popular consumption and there is a strong modern interpretation. She does attempt to reinterpret ancient gender relationships in the light of modern feminist thinking. While this is a useful (and entertaining) aspect of college women's studies programs, it is not as unethical as some critics claim. As hard as they may try, all historians interpret the past in the context of the present. Obviously there is value in our attempts to re-interpret the past in the light of our own time.
If you want the full scholarly work it is W. Schneemelcher's 2 volume New Testament Apocrypha.
Also, to understand the Cathars......try Barbara Tuckman's Distant Mirror for an incredible historical commentary on how the Christian Church has handled other points of view
Rating:
Summary: Breaking codes and refuting common presuppostions
Review: In "Breaking the Da Vinci Code," New Testament scholar Darrell Bock describes and refutes the "codes" behind "The Da Vinci Code," which could better be understood to be the presuppositions of author Dan Brown, and those who subscribe to his Gnostic view of Christianity.
Sadly, in our day and age, very few Christians, much less the general population, have any knowledge of the literature of the Early Church, except perhaps for the New Testament itself. It is because of this general ignorance that so many seem to readily buy into Dan Brown's "code behind the code."
As I read "The Da Vinci Code" nearly a year ago, I was totally engrossed in the mystery, but as the story progressed, I was increasingly appalled at the "history." As an amateur student of Church history, I couldn't help but wish for a single volume I could recommend to help counteract the erroneous views of Christian development that Brown promotes. "Breaking the Da Vinci Code" is one such volume.
While each "code" could have a scholarly work written about it (and indeed many have been), Bock does a good job of addressing popular misconceptions about Mary Magdalene, whether or not Jesus was married, the Gnostic gospels, the development of the New Testament, and other related issues.
It is significant that this book is endorsed by well respected Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox Christian scholars. Personally, as an Orthodox Christian, I found Bock's statements to be, for the most part, thoroughly orthodox (small "o"), in the sense of C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity" (another book I would also heartily recommend).
For further reading, I would strongly urge readers to take a look at "Ecclesiastical History" (also published as "Church History"), written by Eusebius in the 4th century. As I stated in my Amazon review of this work, it should be "required reading" for all thinking Christians.
Other Early Church writings should be considered, such as "The Apostolic Fathers," edited by Jack Sparks; or any of the volumes in "Ante-Nicene Fathers" and "Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers" set of 38 volumes, edited by Philip Schaff; or many of the volumes in the "Ancient Christian Writers" series from Paulist Press.
I listened to the audio recording of "Breaking the Da Vinci Code," read by Chris Fabry, as I followed along in the book. While Fabry has a clear, pleasant and convincing voice for this work, I noticed that his mispronunciation of the occasional word slightly shifted the meaning of the author's intent. Not a big deal, but worthy of note. An advantage of the book over the recording is the inclusion of a selected bibliography and a helpful, simple glossary.
Rating:
Summary: The problem with this book..
Review: Is that the title is misleading. Several of the questions that "everyone is asking" are not even addressed in this book. The art issues are virtually ignored...Rosslyn Chapel... In addition, the perspective is distinctly evangelical, so, for example, in regard to issues of the "spiritual feminine," Bock, presumably in order not to anger his evangelical audience (and CBA booksellers who are touchy about such things) misses the chance to drill Brown's deliberate ignoring of the place of the Virgin Mary in Christian history, devotion and spirituality.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly . . . Inadequate
Review: It constantly amazes me how people as educated as Bock can think that all they need to do to refute someone is simply say, "So and So is worng because THE BIBLE says . . . etc. etc etc" or the alternative "So and so is wrong because THE BIBLE does NOT say . . . etc. etc. etc." I give you a few examples. 1. In response to the question about whether or not Jesus was married, as alleged by The Da Vinci Code, Bock simply says the Bible does not mention a wife, therefore, there was no wife. Wow, and it took a scholar to come up with that??! What Bock doesn't really get into, however, is Brown's actual remarks that supposedly do indeed prove Jesus was married. 2. Specifically regarding Mary Magdalene possibly being romantically involved with Jesus, Bock appeals to John 20:11-18 and Rom. 16:16. That's all well and good for Christians who believe the Bible, but exactly what in the world is someone who does not even believe in the Bible supposed to do with these passages?? Here's an idea -- lets actually talk about what Brown says, and his sources, and deal with them historically. This is just a sample of how Bock seems to think he is refuting Dan Brown's assertions. But really, Bock is just confirming evangelical Christian teachings within a biblical paradigm. He is not thinking "outside the box" to consider what non-believers or nominal believers are thinking or feeling, or how they may need to be approached when dealing with The Da Vinci Code. Speaking of the "Da Vinci" code, perhaps the most glaring, and I do mean glaring, flaw in this book is that Bock does not discuss Da Vinci's art!!! My question is: Who at the publishing house let this thing get released with such an embarrassing omission?? Again, we have a prime example of people in a particular religion (in this case, Christians) not going outside their own little world to think beyond what they already know and believe. Bock clearly did no research on this subject, but seems to have simply read The Da Vinci Code through his biblical worldview eyes, then sought to point out where/how Brown contradicts the Bible. That's great, I suppose, for firm believers. But a more engaging approach would have been to deal with the issues in a broader fashion. Kellmeyer's book does the same thing, except even more narrowly focused, by writing not just from the broad category of a Christian, but from a Roman Catholic mindset. I recommend the book by Lunn (secular scholar) or Abanes (another evangelical, but a journalist, and therefore, less blatantly "Christian" than Bock).
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