Sadly, it all focuses on an outlandish fictional novel (not a bad read) that has been turned into what others have called a less than mediocre movie by Opie Taylor (Ron Howard). That so many people are in a fever pitch about this book and movie reminds me of those in Paul’s day who could not help but chatter on and on about the latest fads and gossip.

Perhaps many who have read The Da Vinci Code have little comprehension. A friend of mine was all atwitter at how he had finally found out what the “Holy Grail” was. He had accepted Brown’s fiction as truth. May I help us separate fact from fiction regarding this most popular of new books (over 40 million sold)?

Brown’s Fiction: The Knight’s Templar was the military arm of the Priory commissioned to retrieve hidden documents that would expose the “truth” concerning Jesus’ progeny.

Fact: The Templars were an order of monks responsible for protecting Christians traveling to Jerusalem.

Brown’s Fiction: The Priory of Sion was established in 1099 by a French king to protect the “truth” about the lineage of Jesus’ offspring as well as to pass that truth on to his heirs.

Fact: The Priory was actually a tiny fellowship created in 1956 by convicted felon Pierre Plantard who completely fabricated its history to lend it acceptability.

Brown’s Fiction: Opus Dei is an offshoot of the church, its leader being a recalcitrant bishop whose every demand is obeyed by some self-flagellating albino monk ala Frankenstein’s Igor.

Fact: Opus Dei is actually a conservative movement or fellowship within the Catholic Church with some members feeling the need to inflict minor pain upon themselves as an expression of worship to God. Most lead typically normal lives.

Brown’s Fiction: The individual leaning against Christ in “The Last Supper” is none other than Mary Magdalene. This truth has escaped the critical eyes of art scholars over the years.

Fact: Did the artist know something we don’t? Art critics have never considered this figure any person other than John the apostle.

Brown’s Fiction: Mary Magdalene, fearing for her life and the life of her unborn baby conceived with Jesus’ sperm, ended up living in what is now France (Gaul).

Fact: Nothing on record even hints of this except for a legend dating back to the 11th century.

Brown’s Fiction: The “Holy Grail” wasn’t one of the cups Jesus used for the first Lord’s Supper, but it was Mary Magdalene herself. Actually the grail was her womb that carried Jesus’ child and heir apparent.

Fact: This Holy Grail, whether it was the cup of Jesus or something else, is completely incidental to the gospel of Christ and is, in my view, a fabrication of tradition within Roman Catholicism.

Brown’s Fiction: Emperor Constantine of Rome in the 4th century commanded the Council of Nicea to tweak Scripture so that Jesus was more God than man.

Fact: Constantine had nothing to do with the compilation of the Canon (rule) of the Bible. By the time of the emperor the books to be included in the Bible were set.

Brown’s Fiction: The Gospel of Philip (non-canonical) hints that Mary Magdalene was married to Jesus.

Fact: This actual piece of literature is part of the Nag Hamadi Gnostic Texts library that was found in caves in the mid-20th century. Textual experts tells us any union between Christ and Mary was purely spiritual.

Brown’s Fiction: Women were downgraded when the church demonized them by such things as labeling them witches, even burning thousands of them at the stake. This was a concerted effort to downplay their great influence and positions of power.

Fact: This is doubtful, in my view. Paul was not trying to subjugate women when he spoke of their subordination to men in the roles of leadership. He also said male and female are one in Christ. Any pecking order regarding male and female should be established by Scripture and not by Catholic tradition or Dan Brown.

Brown’s Fiction: The six-pointed Star of David depicts the marriage of the pagan symbols for male and female.

Fact: Before it became a symbol of Judaism, it signified opposing forces, such as two arrows colliding in conflict.

Dear ones, please don’t confuse truth with fiction.

-Steven Clark Goad

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