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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Book Review: Killing Jesus

Fr. David Friel · April 20, 2014

DMITTEDLY, I am a little late to throw my hat in the ring. Nevertheless, I would like to share my thoughts about one of the best-selling books of the last year, since one of my Lenten projects was to read it. Co-authored by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard, Killing Jesus: A History is an exploration of the Person of Jesus and a view into the experience of life in ancient times.

[DISCLAIMER: I don’t like television; I seldom watch television; I don’t even own a television. As such, my reasons for reading this book and blogging about it have nothing to do with Bill O’Reilly, his politics (about which I know little), or his news show (which I understand draws sharply divided responses from the general populace). My interest is Jesus and what this book has to say about Him.]

With its concise subtitle, this book claims to be “A History.” What is meant by that would be difficult to intuit without reading the book. Categorizing this text in the history genre, to me, seems at once accurate and inaccurate. If the purpose of the subtitle is to dissuade potential readers from expecting a devotional work, then the term “history” works well. The book includes more than a few imaginative sections, however, wherein historical events are told in narrative format, and at these times the term “history” appears misapplied. A librarian could have real difficulty assigning a Dewey Decimal System number to this volume, but arguments could be made for the 200’s, the 900’s, or even the 92 biography section.

What I enjoyed most about this book was its presentation of major characters in the life and times of Jesus. These characters include Herod & Pompey the Great, John the Baptist & Mary Magdalene, Caiaphas & Pontius Pilate. So often, these can become mere names confined to the pages of history texts, rather than dynamic persons who shaped history. In developing these characters and others, the authors obviously utilized extra-Biblical sources. The book also describes in great detail for readers several important locations, such as Sepphoris, Jerusalem, and the Kidron Valley. In general, the sketches of both characters and places were helpful in establishing the wider context of Biblical life & times.

Another aspect of the work that I enjoyed is the authors’ decision not to divide the supposed “historical Jesus” from the “Christian God.” Since the advent of the historical critical method, it has become vogue to separate the “Jesus of history” from the “Christ of faith,” but O’Reilly and Dugard seem content to address matters factually and leave it to the reader to determine whether Jesus constitutes a divide or a unity.

Many reviewers have criticized the authors’ tendency to take the Gospels at face value, rather than treating them with the trenchant skepticism that is more acceptable in modern academia. For my own part, as a believing Christian who accepts wholeheartedly the canon of Sacred Scripture, I do not question the historicity of the Gospels. Actually, I rather appreciate the matter-of-fact acceptance of what the Evangelists have written. What other sources exist that are more worthy of trust?

Most of the “inaccuracies” highlighted by other reviewers are not so much true historical inaccuracies as points of squabble among the authors’ adversaries. For instance, was Paul a “former Pharisee who became a convert to Christianity,” as the authors describe him? Presuming that by “Christian,” one means a follower of Christ, this seems like a perfectly true statement.

I possess no faculties to grant an imprimatur, but for those who are concerned about issues of orthodoxy or scandal, I found nothing questionable in Killing Jesus. What I found was an eminently readable portrait of Jesus of Nazareth that has helped me to see His life in fuller context and to recognize some of the many factors that precipitated His death.

Is this book the definitive account of Jesus’ life? No, we still have the four Gospels for that. But is it a worthwhile companion that might spark new ideas, perspectives, and questions in the heart and mind of a believer? I believe so.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel is a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and serves as Director of Liturgy at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “21 September 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!
    It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies
    Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

Let us ponder the incontrovertible fact that Eucharistic Adoration in the Ordinary Form (“Novus Ordo”) is always and everywhere celebrated “ad orientem.” Why, then, is there such opposition to Mass being celebrated in that way, which is actually stipulated by the 1970 Missal rubrics?

— A Benedictine Monk (2013)

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