The Council of Nicea was indeed clerics in a dark and ornate hall, but it was also brawls in churchyards, emperors and governors fighting to save the empire, and political intrigue as the governments of church and state blended into a volatile stew. It was the way a fringe group of peace-loving communal worshipers of a crucified Palestinian prophet conquered the Roman empire.

HISTORY COMES TO LIFE IN YOUR HANDS

• Leaf through ancient documents.
• Read the council's instruction to the churches.
• Examine Constantine's review of the council.
• And meet Sisinnius, the forgotten heretic who ended six decades of debate and violence with one word of advice.

ANSWERS THE CLAIMS IN THE DA VINCI CODE

• Was the Trinity invented at Nicea?
• Did the council rewrite the Bible?
• Did Constantine change the Sabbath day?

PRAISE FOR DECODING NICEA

• "I never knew church history could be so much fun "
• "Paul Pavao has the rare ability to take what many consider dull and transform it."
• "A marriage of exhaustive research with captivating writing."
• "Should be compulsory reading for Bible students in the church history module."
• "I learned so much and enjoyed the ride."