2. “Historic fact with a contemporary story line.” USA TODAY (December 11, 2003)

3. “The most amazing thing about this novel is that it’s based on fact.” ( Taylor, www.archive.salon.com/books/review/2003/03/27da_vinci)

4. “A good yarn within a richly factual content.” (“The Da Vinci Code: Book Review,” (www.counterculture.co.uk/book-review/the-da-vinci-code.html)

5. CLAIM… “Jesus’ establishment as the ‘Son of God’ was officially proposed and voted on by the Council of Nicaea…A relatively close vote at that.” (p233)

6. HISTORICAL TRUTH… The vote was on: Was Christ like God or Was He the Essence of God (not on His Deity)

7. We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end. And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And we believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

8. HISTORICAL TRUTH…

10. CLAIM… “Jesus was viewed by His followers as a mortal prophet……a great and powerful man, but a man nonetheless.” (p233)

11. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God…. John 1:1-2

12. …[He] was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.” John 5:17,18

13. …‘You, a mere man, claim to be God.’” …‘You, a mere man, claim to be God.’” John 10:32,33

14. “Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” “Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” John 20:28

15. “‘I AM… the Son of God.’” Matthew 27:43

16. “’My son, your sins are forgiven.’ … …‘who can forgive sins but God alone?’” “’My son, your sins are forgiven.’ … …‘who can forgive sins but God alone?’” Mark 2:5,7

17. The Trial of Jesus is one of the most obvious indications that his contemporaries understood his claims to be God

18. Mark 14: 61-62,64 “‘Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?’…

19. Matthew 14: 61-62,64 …And Jesus said, ‘I AM …’”

20. Most people are tried in a court of law for WHAT they did. BUT… Jesus was tried for WHO He was.

21. The early church…before the time of Constantine and the Council of Nicaea…was convinced Jesus was God.

22. Justin Martyr (A.D. 100-165) “Jesus is ‘both God and Lord.’” (First Apology, chapter 63)

23. Ignatius of Antioch (A.D. 110) “God incarnate… God Himself appearing in the form of man.”

24. Gregory Thaumaturgus (c.213 – 270) “There is one Lord, Only of the only God of God…true Son of True Father.” (Declaration of Faith)

25. Melito of Sardis (circa A.D. 177) “He was man, yet He is God.”

26. “The modern Bible was compiled and edited by men who possessed a political agenda—to promote the divinity of the man Jesus Christ and use His influence to solidify their own power base.” (p234) “The modern Bible was compiled and edited by men who possessed a political agenda—to promote the divinity of the man Jesus Christ and use His influence to solidify their own power base.” (p234) CLAIM…

27. Infancy Gospel of Thomas Infancy Gospel of Thomas