“THE DA VINCI CODE:
Fact or Fiction?”

W. Ward Gasque

Wednesday, October 19, 2005
7:30 pm
Corwin Pavilion
University Center, UCSB
Admission is free

Thursday, October 20, 2005
7:30 pm
First Presbyterian Church
State and Constance, SB
Admission is free

Is the Catholic Church trying to keep the true origins of Christianity a secret?
 
Was Mary Magdalene (rather than St Peter) the person originally designated by Jesus to head up his church?
 
Did the Emperor Constantine re-invent Christianity?
 
Do the Gnostic Gospels offer a more accurate portrait of Jesus and early Christianity than the four gospels in the Bible?
 
Was Leonardo da Vinci the head of a secret society formed to preserve the true origins of Christianity, and did he conceal hidden attacks on the Christian faith in his art?
 
Did Jesus have a child and are his physical descendants alive in the world today?
 
Why has Dan Brown's book The Da Vinci Code become a phenomenal bestseller?

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W. Ward Gasque has dedicated his life to making theology accessible.  He is a graduate of Wheaton College (Illinois, USA) (BA), Fuller Theological Seminary (California, USA) (BD, MTh), and Manchester University (PhD), where his research was guided by the late F. F. Bruce. 

He is the author of two books, editor of four collections of essays, two biblical commentary series, and has written more than 200 articles and essays, along with numerous book reviews. 

Gasque has served in a variety of academic leadership positions, including Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies at Eastern University (Pennsylvania, USA), the E. Marshall Sheppard Professor of Biblical Studies at Regent College (Vancouver); Academic Dean, Tyndale Seminary (Toronto), J. Omar Good Distinguished Visiting Professor of Evangelical Christianity at Juniata College (Pennsylvania, USA); Visiting Scholar at Princeton Theological Seminary (New Jersey, USA); Fellow of the Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research at Saint John’s University (Minnesota, USA); adjunct professor of New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary Northwest (Washington, USA), and adjunct professor of business ethics at Seattle Pacific University (Washington, USA). 

He is currently President of Pacific Association for Theological Studies and founder of the Center for Innovation in Theological Education, Seattle.  Frequently in demand as a teacher and consultant, he has lectured on the campuses of more than 50 universities, colleges and schools of theology and has visited 70+ countries.  He is married to Laurel Gasque, a cultural historian, lecturer, writer and student worker, with whom he has one daughter, Michelle, who works in film making.

NOTE: Parking is no longer free on evenings and weekends on the UCSB campus. Please review the instructions for use of the "Pay By Space" permit dispensers, which have been installed in all UCSB parking lots. Also see Maps to find the most convenient parking lot (probably Lot 3, 4, or 5). Lots 3 and 4 fill up quickly. Allow a 10 minute walk from Lot 5.

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VERITAS FORUM SURVEY

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WHAT IS THE VERITAS FORUM?

From the Latin words meaning "a public discussion of truth," The Veritas Forum is an opportunity for the entire community to openly explore and discuss the most important questions of the university, society, and the human heart. We are bringing together qualified scholars, philosophers, and thinkers from diverse fields and backgrounds to dialogue on crucial issues.

The Veritas Forum comes out of our community earnestly exploring questions of importance and seeking answers to the deeper (integrated) questions of life. We explore truth and life as we seek to connect the relevance of the person and story of Jesus Christ to all of life. Veritas is an opportunity to come together and discuss these issues. Come explore true life with us.

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