The Da Vinci Code

DAN Brown’s best selling novel is undoubtedly one of the most controversial novels of the decade as it tried to suggest a seemingly subversive notion that Jesus Christ was a man, a lover and a father.

With that said, Mr. Brown is now a deadbeat.

At least that’s for some tight, devout Roman Catholics. That’s pretty understandable as the content of the novel directly deviates to the norms of standard religious upbringing.

But what’s surprising is the fact that this was not the first time a writer dwell on the topic of Christ’s alleged “undisclosed” life. There have been many who tried to reveal the same message but none has made quite a stir like the Da Vinci Code. Perhaps, this is due to the fact that it’s written on a context of a suspense-thriller that caters to a more eager audience. Had it been written in a strict historical tone, I think it would fail to get the same blockbuster attention.

Indeed, Brown is phenomenal. He surely made a lot of fortune with it.

And a lot of enemies, too! Well, sort of.

But as a fan of literature, I am delighted with how Brown created a smorgasbord of truths, half-truths and lies to weave together a spell-bounding, unputdownable storyline. I don’t see it becoming this generation’s new Bible, but it is indeed a good source of entertainment and fun read.

Now let’s move on to the merits of the novel.

First, contrary to popular belief, the Da Vinci Code is not anti-Christian. In fact, according to Brown, it’s not anti-something. Sure we should not take his word for it, but in my own honest opinion, Brown never tipped the balance of good and evil in the story. With his creative genius, he tried his best to paint his characters and all entities in a fair light. While some book will preach what is right or wrong, the Da Vinci Code remained the middle ground. It is simply shouting in front of us telling that, “all of us are sinners and our mistakes will never be corrected by committing another mistake.”

Second, it’s not that the book did not serve any purpose. With its worldwide popularity, the novel has served as a mechanism for people to regain their interest on the universal topic of faith and religion. It’s a wakeup call to search for the truth concerning the very foundations of our spirituality, consequently the essence of our beliefs.

And since we are now in the mood for religious debates and discussions, the Church should see it as an opportune time to clear the way for enlightenment. They should take a step forward and help us segregate the facts from fiction. This is a tall order on the part of the religious but they should deal with the matter with utmost openness and resolve.

No, calls for banning the book and the up and coming film adaptation won’t help one bit as it will only add to the hype and shall make the religious community appear guilty and apathetic.

Simply put, the novel should serve as a challenge and not a threat.

In parting, let’s remember that the Da Vinci Code is a work of fiction though sprinkled with interesting trivia and ideals. Hence, we are being asked to have our own interpretations. But it doesn’t matter how it’s gonna be for as long as it makes us a better human being with a more profound understanding of our faith and spirituality.