Bill O’Reilly is a very popular, albeit very polarizing figure in American politics. I think it’s also safe to say Mr. O’Reilly is a very effective communicator. However, as is often the case, one’s greatest strength can also prove to be one’s greatest weakness. Mr. O’Reilly may have taken that notion to another level last Sunday, while touting his latest book during his most recent appearance on 60 Minutes.

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Mr. O’Reilly’s new book is entitled “Killing Jesus”, the third in a popular trilogy including “Killing Lincoln” and “Killing Kennedy”. In it, he examines Jesus’ crucifixion from a cultural and historical perspective, carefully avoiding religion and faith. But is this possible? Can Jesus be examined in the same, secular fashion as two American presidents?

O’Reilly identifies himself as a Roman Catholic. Having once been a Catholic myself, I know the Church teaches the Bible is the inerrant “Word of God”. However, O’Reilly claims the Bible cannot be taken literally, using several examples in the Gospel’s depiction of Jesus’ death as justification. Apparently, according to Mr. O’Reilly, one is able to pick and choose a version of the truth that suits a particular agenda. In this case, book sales.

What perhaps irked me the most about this interview, was O’Reilly’s claim that he was led by the Holy Spirit to write this book. Could this be the same Holy Spirit that inspired the writers of the original Gospels?

I think not.

Jim

This amazing speech, delivered by a Jewish man (Barrie Schwortz), is both compelling and provocative.

Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCyK2BzLy3Y&ytsession=ExgGVSyfz1YM9dwhjioGJ37CWfgE8die8Ruj3PeRPEy1akYH9jBUtrHoZ3JGzOO2d4pWRYIWLN4lU4n4ZqrtIDWTBcjU-DeGgS0daLf_fcAlGLMgr8SoXcqDIbRYudpkNwMBQnQviI9mc5dB4doqfwj-3fcBqbJcwulDZFzel3vqrKg_-5Wpbap4fyEbTa9zJO5bRa4ywxa0jukpG9QuLHP0YGoA-kxKgKBvXTif0yaG0B5tNTJ9W7uAgd7TS8hamFx_bZVqLdSc8WGHY3WpY8KoiL7Vv-sg

Click link below to see brief interview on local St. Louis CBS affiliate KMOV, dated 9/9/13.

kmov interview – the linen god

Jim’s interview is up! And you can win a free book! Check it out!

Missouri Author James O’Shea
Welcome to the Book Loft, Jim! Is there a story behind your new release, The Linen God?

I had always known of a famous religious relic called the “Shroud of Turin” growing up, but had always thought it was a Medieval forgery. The 14’ long Jewish burial cloth bears the inexplicable image of a crucified man and despite 150,000 hours of scientific study, the source of the image has still not been determined. more at….

http://www.barndoorbookloft.net/

The former head of the Anglican Church has joined the former head of the Roman Catholic Church in order to refocus scientific attention on the Shroud of Turin. Dr. Rowan Williams has endorsed a movie project on the Shroud of Turin designed to bring it back into the academic domain.

David Wolfe, who is heading up the Shroud Affair movie project, said: “For a long time the few trying to reconcile the conflict between the mass of data that supports the genuine antiquity of the Shroud and the single, suspect C14 test that has overshadowed it have felt as if we have been crying in the wilderness. To have Dr. Williams’ public endorsement and practical support for The Shroud Affair campaign and what it represents is a significant step forward. When will other academics have the courage to revisit this subject? If the image was purported to be a pharaoh or any another character from ancient history, academia would not rest until it had fathomed the nature of the image. As it is, the Shroud’s image remains a total mystery. What are they afraid of?

Dan Brown brought public attention to DaVinci’s Last Supper and the Knights Templar with his blockbuster “The DaVinci Code”. Let’s hope movie like Shroud Affair and books like The Linen God can do the same with the Shroud of Turin.

“The Linen God” ranked #3 for week ending July 21. (Independent bookstore sales).