April 20, 2006
by Jerry L. Van Marter

LOUISVILLE – Renowned New Testament scholar Kenneth Bailey will try to separate fact from fiction in "The Da Vinci Code" phenomenon during the Media Luncheon at the 217th General Assembly on June 17 in Birmingham, AL.

The luncheon is sponsored by the Pittsburgh-based Presbyterian Media Mission (PMM) and the Presbyterian Communicators Network.

"We're trying to combine media literacy with Biblical literacy to unpack the book and movie that has captured many people in the culture with questions about Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and Leonardo Da Vinci in regards to religion, faith, and truth," said PMM Director Gregg Hartung. "Ken will speak of the origins of the Bible and Christian faith in response to the novel and movie depictions."

Hartung said Bailey's presentation – "Decoding the Da Vinci Code: Historical Reality vs. Murder Mystery Mythology" – will answer such questions as: How can clergy and church members help set the record straight for folks living in a Biblical illiterate society? And, What are the opportunities for churches to help people decode the Da Vinci Code?

Bailey, an ordained Presbyterian minister, is Canon Theologian of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh. For 40 years he taught in seminaries and institutes in Egypt, Lebanon, Jerusalem and Cyprus, and for 10 years was Research Professor of Middle Eastern New Testament Studies at the Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem. He has published seven books and more than 150 articles.

Tickets for the Media Luncheon can be ordered online at http://www.pcusa.org/ga217/tixform.pdf (item SA07).

Presbyterian News Service