The Word by Irving Wallace was published during the week ending 26 March 1972. The novel was about the discovery of a parchment proving Jesus Christ had survived the crucifixion and had died 19 years later.

Retired clergyman Reverend Douglas Bartlett (1903-1989) wrote a letter dated 29 March 1972 to Henry Lincoln about documents/document proving that Jesus Christ survived the crucifixion and was still alive in A.D. 45.

There is no evidence showing that Bartlett’s claim as given in his letter – using the alleged “testimony” of the deceased Alfred Leslie Lilley – precedes the publication of The Word.