Ever since its release and subsequent #1 status on the New York Times' bestseller list, Dan Brown's novel `The Da Vinci Code' has refocused the attentions of scholars and the ordinary man on the historical accuracy of the life of Jesus Christ. The crux of the debate relates to the closure of what are referred to as the Canonical Gospels, namely Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

The issue surrounding these Gospels refers to a special event called the Nicene Council. This council was the deciding authority of which ancient documents would be included in the authorized Catholic Bible. Some historians, however, believe that the Canonical Gospels were not closed (or completed) by the time of the council and that the council itself began a conspiracy by falsely describing Jesus' public life and ministry which is widely accepted today. Most orthodox Christians, theologians, and historians believe that indeed the Canons...