Alpha UK

12 May 2006

Alpha pioneer Nicky Gumbel has published a 58 page booklet offering a Christian response to the issues raised in Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code.

The booklet's publication has been timed to coincide with this month's release of the feature film of the book.

In the booklet, Nicky Gumbel writes "How can a novel - a work of fiction - have such an impact? The Da Vinci Code is a thriller presented as a historical novel; it is fiction and yet seeks to convince the reader that it is based on fact. In the words of Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago, it is "preposterous, but for many it is persuasive'."

He then addresses four topics:
(i) The specific claims of The Da Vinci Code

(ii) The view of the early Christians

(iii) The way Jesus saw himself

(iv) The evidence that supports what he said.

Nicky Gumbel said "Many people reading The Da Vinci Code or seeing the film will want to explore more about the truth of Jesus. This booklet gives them an opportunity to do that. We are hoping that many people intrigued by The Da Vinci Code will also take the opportunity to attend an Alpha Course at a local church.'

Published by Alpha International

Price £1.50

- ENDS -

For further information contact: Mark Elsdon-Dew, Communications Director on

020 7052 0271 or pager 07623 975422.

Notes to Editors

Since 1992 the Alpha course has seen astonishing growth, both in the United Kingdom and internationally. From just five courses running in the UK in 1992, to over 7,000 registered Alpha courses in the UK and over 31,150 courses in 156 countries. It is estimated that over 8 million people have now been on the course worldwide. Research by MORI in the UK in September 2005 shows that awareness of Alpha has reached the highest percentage yet since the start of measures in 1999 - 22% of the British population can now identify Alpha as a Christian course (more than 10 million British adults).