174. Ben Witherington III on The Gospel Code

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Ben Witherington III to discuss his book The Gospel Code: Novel Claims About Jesus, Mary Magdalene and Da Vinci. Though a writer of fiction, Dan Brown wrote on one of the first pages under the heading “FACT” that “all descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate”. In a mix of pseudo-history, conspiracy-logic and emotion-based theology - the influence of this novel (and the culture surrounding it) is often seen in the mainstreaming of views such as Jesus being married, emphasis on a “sacred feminine”, the claim that the Gnostic texts and theology are more reliable than the official-canonical texts and theology, and conspiracies surrounding Constantine and the Council of Nicaea. The success of this Da-Vinci-Code-Culture has likewise revealed a profound ignorance among Christians, themselves, when it comes to the Bible and historical claims about their past. What are the earliest Gospels, and which are the most historically accurate? Is the Gospel of Philip as reliable as the Gospel of Mark? Was Jesus seen as simply a man until Constantine and corrupt church authorities forced the church to confess otherwise? Did the Council of Nicaea choose the canon, and suppress the texts they didn’t like? Was Jesus married - and what did he teach about marriage? Were Christians misogynistic – in contrast to the feminist Gnostics? And why should people care about getting all of this right? Join us as Dr. Witherington helps us understand the answers to these questions and more.Book: The Gospel Code: Novel Claims About Jesus, Mary Magdalene and Da VinciSome other resources by Dr. Witherington:- New Testament History - Paul’s Narrative Thought World- Conflict and Community: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on 1 and 2 Corinthians- The Gospel of Mark: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary- Jesus, Paul and the End of the World- The Jesus QuestOther resources:Thomas: The Other Gospel by Nicholas PerrinHidden Gospels: How the Search for Jesus Lost Its Way by Philip JenkinsThe Historical Reliability of the Gospels by Craig BlombergJesus and the Eyewitnesses; Jesus and the God of Israel by Richard BauckhamEarly Christian Doctrines by J.N.D. KellyScribes and Scripture by John Meade and Peter GurryThe Resurrection of the Son of God by N.T. WrightShaman and Sage by Michael HortonThe Nag Hammadi Scriptures, edited by Marvin MeyerAncient Gnosticism: Traditions and Literature by Birger PearsonThe Gnostic New Age by April DeConickChurch Statement; yet,“The Family Proclamation” (and here)“Gathering the Poor - Religion a Science” by President Brigham Young (also here and here)“The Marriage Relations”; “Man the Head of Woman, etc.” by Elder Orson Hyde (also here)The Seer by Elder Orson Pratt (also here)“Uniformity” by Elder Jedediah M. GrantPresident Joseph Fielding Smith Letter (March 17, 1963)“The Only True God and Jesus Christ Whom He Hath Sent” by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland“Joseph Smith Translation: Doctrinal Restoration” by Elder Bruce R. McConkieThe Gospel Through the Ages by Milton R. Hunter (Seventy)Achieving a Celestial Marriage (student manual); “Many Plain and Precious Things” (LDS Video)“Early Christians According to Newly Discovered Papyrii”; Temple and Cosmos; Mormonism and Early Christianity; Old Testament and Related Studies; When the Lights Went Out by Hugh NibleyLike A Fiery Meteor: The Life of Joseph F. Smith by Stephen TaysomConflict in the Quorum by Gary BergeraJesus Was Married by Ogden KrautDynasty of the Holy Grail: Mormon’s Sacred Bloodline by Vern Swanson