Members of the SMU Medieval Club welcomed students, faculty and guests to their first event of the year – “The Da Vinci Code: Fact and Fiction” – Thursday in Dallas Hall’s McCord Auditorium.

Dr. Daniel Scavone shared his thoughts on the popular Dan Brown novel, reminding the audience that much of the book is “historical fiction.”

Touching on topics from the Priory of Sion to centuries-old Christian logic to the varying faces of Jesus portrayed in the book, Scavone linked “The Da Vinci Code” to modern-day conspiracy theories against well-known public figures.

“Brown invites the reader to see Christianity as a gigantic fraud,” he said.

Though Scavone highlighted some “basic inconsistencies of the novel,” he did not paint an altogether negative picture of “The Da Vinci Code” for audience members.

According to Medieval Club President Ava Franks, feedback after the program was “all very positive. The students enjoyed it a lot, and [Dr. Scavone] was very approachable.”

Franks was pleased with Thursday’s turnout, something she attributes to the book’s popularity; Brown’s novel has sold millions of copies worldwide.

“Because “The Da Vinci Code” has been such a phenomenon,” she said, “I know there was a great interest in the book.”