There is a profound difference between history and factory but there are moments that line is blurred and the two are confused. The Da Vinci Code, the best selling book and new feature film, is an example of such confusion. Twice in recent days people have explained to me that they’ve learned a lot about the history of Christianity through reading The Da Vinci Code. Let me say now that I’ve not read the book. But I know enough from reading the reviews and an assortment of commentaries that the book is a work of fiction and not history. It is my understanding the author doesn’t pretend otherwise. What to read some actual history? Check out The Story of Christianity: Volume 1 : Volume One: The Early Church to the Reformation and The Story of Christianity: Reformation to the Present Day by Justo L. Gonzalez for a good look at how the faith developed. History is always a matter of interpretation but taking fiction as fact distorts not only our understanding of history but our understanding of faith. I’m not saying not to read The Da Vinci Code (plenty of people have recommended it to me). Just know what you’re reading.