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FACT OR FICTION? (from Barry Holroyd, school of medicine) In the preface to Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, and under a heading in bold capital letters, headed ‘FACT’, is this statement: “All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate.”

The Da Vinci Code contains few ‘facts’ and what few it does contain, require serious qualification. All of this might be excused, except that Brown ‘dignifies’ such aspects of the book as ‘FACT’.

The work is fiction, yes, but it claims to be rooted in fact, and it is only because Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular is considered ‘fair game’, that this sort of work is received not with outrage, but with a ho hum.

What is surprising, is not that  Brown labels as ‘FACT’ what has been so totally refuted by the evidence, but that our culture is so misinformed about Christianity, woefully ignorant of history, and clueless about the Bible – its origin, composition, preservation, and translation.

That millions will be completely unaware of the lack of authenticity in The Da Vinci Code is more than surprising, it is very, very sad. That  critics and even news media are so gullible is tragic.

Professor Elliot’s subjective comment that “this bestselling novel still makes for a ‘jolly good thriller’”  prompts me to comment that God in fact ‘went public’ some two thousand year ago, by coming to visit planet Earth as the Lord Jesus Christ, and His life, death, resurrection from the dead and ascension back to Heaven, are all recorded in the New Testament, the primary source of reputable information about Jesus Christ.

Now that really is ‘a jolly good thriller,’ “extra, extra, read all about it!!”