894 Library Journal Nonsense

You can’t always trust a librarian, particularly if it comes to politics or religion. If you saw all the anti-administration and new age books on the "new book" shelves at my public library you'd see what I mean. You can, of course, trust me, because I used to be a humanist and a liberal, and I‘ve seen the light. And I'm also a blogger, part of the "information reformation." However, I do remember all the good things, like having an open mind--so wide open you could drive a dump truck of misinformation through it and come out the other end empty. Anyway. Enough about me. According to Books and Culture this precious bit of hyperbole appeared in Library Journal:

“The Library Journal has this to say about Dan Brown's book The Da Vinci Code: "This masterpiece should be mandatory reading. Brown solidifies his reputation as one of the most skilled thriller writers on the planet with his best book yet, a compelling blend of history and page-turning suspense. Highly recommended."“

Brown does use a lot of historical material, which he freely mixes with fiction, misinformation, lies and gnosticism--just about anything other than Biblical truth. My dear relative (who faithfully attends church on Easter, Christmas and Mother’s Day) loved it and millions like her have kept it firmly on the best seller list.

Church members, particularly women, have contributed to its popularity. Teaching and preaching is so weak in our male managed mainline and evangelical churches, and women are relegated to such a minor role, particularly in the pulpit and seminaries, that our Christian leadership has left us sitting ducks for the Dan Browns of this world.

Jesus and Mary Magdalene? Mystery religions? Hidden, rediscovered gospels? If you know anything about cults and false teachings over the last few centuries, or even popular fiction, there is nothing new here. Brown just writes a better story. And that story is as old as the serpent chatting up Eve, “now, sweety, what exactly is it God said you could eat?” But also, if the churches taught the true role of women given to them by Jesus reported very clearly in the New Testament Gospels (have you ever noticed women followers always “got it” when the male disciples were still scratching their heads), maybe we wouldn’t have so much drivel on the best seller list. Sigh.