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The Lent/Easter season will soon be upon us. Checkout the free study guide available via A Plausible Passion
A Plausible Passion
30 Wednesday Jan 2019
Tag Archives: Easter
The Soldier Who Killed a King — Free Study Guide
08 Tuesday Jan 2019
Posted in Books by David Kitz, Christ's Passion
Tags
David Kitz, Easter, Lent, resurrection, study guide, the cross
Introduction
What sets this book apart is perspective. We view the events of Passion Week—from Palm Sunday through to the resurrection—through the eyes of the Roman centurion, who at the foot of the cross made this startling confession, “Surely he was the Son of God!” See Matthew 27:54.
Many may view a work of biblical fiction as an inferior vehicle with which to look at these events. But in his ministry, Jesus regularly used stories to convey truth. Stories such as the Prodigal Son or the Good Samaritan are prime examples of this.
Award-winning author, David Kitz, has gone to great lengths to maintain biblical accuracy. This includes the direct integration of more than a hundred biblical quotes into the story text. The endnotes at the back of the book attest to this thorough integration. This study guide provides you with a complete chapter by chapter list of these references.
Study Guide Opportunities
Whether through an online study group, or a church or home-based study group, here is an opportunity to explore the biblical depth of this topic with a free 7 week study guide. This study is ideal during the Lent and Easter season, but the message of the cross and the resurrection is appropriate at any time of the year.
Study guide information is listed below. In regards to the study group experience, your feedback and comments are welcome.
For a free PDF of the study guide visit: https://www.davidkitz.ca/centurion.php/free study guide PDF
For book purchases from the author visit: https://www.davidkitz.ca/bookcart/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=50
For book purchases from other sources try Amazon or https://www.christianbook.com
A STUNNING STORY OF HOLY WEEK THROUGH THE EYES OF A ROMAN CENTURION
04 Thursday Oct 2018
Posted in Books by David Kitz, Christ's Passion, Easter Sunday, Lent, Psalms
Tags
centurion, David Kitz, dramatization, Easter, Lent, Passion Week, Play, soldier, The Soldier Who Killed a King
The Soldier Who Killed a King
See the triumphal entry of the donkey-riding king through the eyes of Marcus Longinus, the centurion charged with keeping the streets from erupting into open rebellion.
Go behind the scenes at the political plotting of King Herod, known as the scheming Fox for his ruthless shrewdness.
Witness the confrontation between the Jewish high priest Caiaphas and the Roman governor Pontius Pilate.
Understand as never before the horror of the decision to save a brutal terrorist in order to condemn the peaceful Jew to death.
If you’ve heard the story of Passion Week so often it’s become stale, now is the time to rediscover the terrible events leading from Jesus’s humble ride into the city to his crucifixion. The Soldier Who Killed a King will stun you afresh with how completely Christ’s resurrection changed history, one life at a time.
A readable and accurate novel about Jesus Christ’s last week on earth. Kitz portrayal of the collison between pagan Rome and temple Judiam is completely plausible.
Joe Woodard, Calgary Herald
Author Bio: David Kitz is a Bible dramatist and outreach minister with the Foursquare Church.
For more information on the book visit: https://davidkitz.ca/centurion.php
For more information on the book purchase visit: https://www.davidkitz.ca/bookcart/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=50
For more information on the dramatization visit: https://davidkitz.ca/centurion.php
THE SOLDIER WHO KILLED A KING
20 Thursday Sep 2018
Tags
Centurion's Report, Christ's Passion, David Kitz, dramatization, Easter, Lent, Play, The Soldier Who Killed a King
Christ’s Passion Week…a familiar account? So you think you know this story? Think again. There are more twists in this plot than in the cruelest crowns of thorns. This author takes you on a fast-paced ride through Christ’s Passion Week-an eight-day ride you will never forget. Scheming Herod, the bloody Fox, has more than one trick up his sleeve. The high priest and the governor are at each other’s throats. Four kings, together in the holy city for one week, compete for one
throne. Now here’s a deadly competition.
Written from a soldier’s perspective, you see a familiar story in a whole new light. Here is the horror of the cross, up close and graphic. While remaining true to the scriptural account, the author weaves with startling realism a very human tale of intrigue and subterfuge. There is a more than a little passion here. Did we mention the terrorist connection? So, you think you know how this ends? Ha! Think again! Have you been to the foot of the cross lately? Come, if you dare.
Author bio: For a number of years now, David Kitz has been telling the soldier’s view of these events in a one-man play entitled, “The Centurion’s Report.”
For more information on the book visit: https://davidkitz.ca/centurion.php
For more information on the book purchase visit: https://www.davidkitz.ca/bookcart/index.php?route=product/product&path=62&product_id=58
For more information on the dramatization visit: https://davidkitz.ca/centurion.php
On Tour with “The Soldier Who Killed a King”
01 Tuesday May 2018
Posted in Books by David Kitz, Christ's Passion, Easter Sunday, Good Friday, Palm Sunday
Tags
Alberta, bookstore, Calgary, centurion, Easter, Kregel, Moose Jaw, Ottawa, Regina, resurrection, Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, the cross, The Soldier Who Killed a King
How do you celebrate a book that was conceived in drama? With a book and drama a tour of course.
My biblical novel about Christ’s Passion began as a four-act, one-man play over twenty
years ago. So when Kregel Publishing released The Soldier Who Killed a King, it logically followed that the original drama should be an integral part of promoting this book across the continent.
With Easter approaching I arranged a Canadian prairie tour that featured eight scheduled events in four prairie cities: Moose Jaw, Regina, and Saskatoon in Saskatchewan, and Calgary in Alberta.
Things didn’t get off to a good start.
My flight from Ottawa via Toronto to Regina was uneventful. I arrived on Thursday, March 22nd. My first event was my “Centurion’s Report” drama on Friday evening in Moose Jaw. Moose Jaw is an easy one hour drive from Regina on a four lane divided highway. What could possibly go wrong?
Well, Friday dawned with a howling prairie wind. Soon the wind was accompanied by swirling snow. By mid afternoon blizzard conditions resulted in semi trailer trucks being blown off the highway between Regina and Moose Jaw. Dozens of vehicles were stuck. For safety reasons we decided to cancel the Friday evening event. We make our plans, but sometimes weather overrules.
Book store events did not disappoint.
Saturday dawned clear and cold. At noon I started a four hour book signing event at the Chapters bookstore in Regina. What I like most about these events is the conversations you have with prospective buyers. It’s always fascinating to find the common ground that can lead to a book purchase.
Signing at Chapters bookstore in Regina
The following week I had two more book signing events at Indigo stores in Saskatoon and Calgary. It’s especially gratifying to meet readers who have already read your book and are there to meet you in person and buy more of your books.
There’s never a dull moment during a dramatization of “The Centurion’s Report.”
On Palm Sunday morning I was at “The Bridge” church in Regina portraying the centurion’s response to Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The tension builds as Marcus Longinus seizes a member of the audience at the close of Act 1, flips a merchant’s table in Act 2, and nails Christ to a wooden cross in Act 3. The resurrection of Jesus in Act 4 results in a personal encounter with our Lord. The action is riveting, and so it should be. This was after all a week of intense, history-changing drama.
It’s always great when you can fit in a bit of family time into a busy schedule.
Monday and Tuesday were spent visiting with my 95-year-old mom in rural Saskatchewan. Despite the advancing years, she is in good health, active and sound of mind. It was also a real treat to spend time with two of my sisters and my brother, as well as a few nieces. A stunning, frosty sunrise greeted us as we set out on our trip from Regina to Churchbridge, SK.
![IMG_20180326_073412[3121]](https://davidkitz.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/img_20180326_0734123121.jpg?w=300&h=300)
Frosty sunrise east of Regina, SK — photo by David Kitz
For the next three nights I had the good fortune of staying with my nephew Ross and his family. There home is a 20 minute drive west of the city. The Indigo bookstore event on Thursday went very well. But the highlight of the Saskatoon portion of the tour was the Good Friday morning service at Courts of Praise.
Photo credit Jean Levac, Ottawa Citizen
The Good Friday service brought together four churches for a presentation of “The Centurion’s Report.” One of the unique features of this presentation was the incorporation of communion between Act 3 and Act 4. It was a very meaningful addition to the drama surrounding Christ’s crucifixion.
Supper with another nephew rounded out the events of a perfect day—a beautiful Good Friday.
Saturday dawned cold and bright. Yes, very cold -25C with a windchill of -35C, but with a bright sunshining the eight hour drive to Calgary was pleasure. I love the wide open prairies and being able to see twenty miles to the horizon and beyond.
Big sky country in the Red Deer River Valley, Alberta — photo by David Kitz
In many respects Easter Sunday in Calgary was the highlight of the tour.
Cornerstone Church in Calgary was the biggest audience for “The Centurion’s Report” on this tour It also resulted in the most book sales after the morning service. The same was true of my book signing event at the Indigo store in the afternoon.
But the biggest thrill of the day came when I was introduced to my two stagehands before the Easter morning service. The tallest young man introduced himself as Timothy. I replied, “Wow, that’s my oldest son’s name!” I then turned to the second young man and asked, “And what’s your name?”
He answered, “Joshua.”
I burst out laughing. My second son is named Joshua. My sons, Tim and Josh, have often helped me as stagehands back in Ottawa. I thought the Lord has a great sense of humor. He brought memories of family back on this special resurrection morning. Later that afternoon I sold a copy of The Soldier Who Killed the King to the Burgess family. Burgess is my wife’s maiden name. So in two divine coincidences I was directly reminded of each of my family members on an Easter Sunday 2,000 miles from home.
The drive back to Regina was a visual feast for this prairie boy’s eyes.
Along a prairie trail, north of Maple Creek, Saskatchewan — photo by David Kitz
I set out for Regina before sunrise on Easter Monday morning. It was still clear and cold, but the nine hour leisurely drive was a treat for the eyes. Cowboy country beckoned, and I couldn’t help but stop for a few photos of the stunning vistas.
It was great to be back in Regina with the Robinson family in whose home I stayed for a large portion of this tour. On Tuesday evening they hosted a “book and drama” party for a few of their friends. Many of these friends had been part of a book study of The Soldier Who Killed a King, which Dr. Robinson led. For them it was a meet-the-author evening, but for me it was a meet the readers event.
Early Wednesday morning my flight left Regina airport. I returned to Ottawa tired, but happy. In total I logged about 5,000 km (3,000 miles) in the air, and 2,200 km (1,350 miles) in ground travel.
What will stay with me are memories of warm smiles and lives touched by the message of the cross.
Bill Pink’s Review of The Soldier Who Killed a King
03 Saturday Mar 2018
Posted in book review, Books by David Kitz, Good Friday, Lent, Psalms
Tags
centurion, Christ, crucifixion, David Kitz, Easter, Jesus, King Herod, Marcus Longinus, Pontius Pilate, Savior, Scripture, Son of God, trial
It is hard to imagine a more ironic, more chilling dramatic exclamation than the confession of Jesus’ executioner, “Surely, He was the Son of God” (Matt. 27:54). In The Soldier, David Kitz gives a name to the Roman executioner – Marcus Longinus. Then he gives us an hour-by-hour account of the week in Marcus’ life in the run-up to the fatal hammer blows that drove spikes into Jesus’ broken body.
As I began to read The Soldier, I wondered if it would be a fascinating documentary of the last week of Jesus’ ministry on Earth. Fascinating it is. The sights, sounds and smells of the Jewish Passover week come to life, from the noisy, smelly commerce in sacrificial animals to the literal river of red sacrificial blood flowing through the temple aqueducts.
Political forces delicately dance in Jerusalem. High Priest Caiaphas, Samaritan King Herod Antipas, and Roman Governor Pontius Pilate, cordial but venomous enemies, vie for control of the holy city. We see and hear the week unfold through Marcus’ eyes and ears. He fears for the very lives of his men as tumultuous crowds swell Jerusalem. Two were recently murdered by Zealot terrorists. Crowds quickly become mobs, and only the iron discipline of his small garrison insulates the city from disaster.
The Soldier soon becomes more than a documentary. Marcus becomes a man we know intimately as husband, father and brave military officer. We see his family and career jeopardized by the mental anguish of post traumatic stress disorder. Horrific visions of bloody murders populate Marcus’ dreams at night and force contemplation of suicide by day.
Jesus rides into this mix of professional anxiety and personal anguish on a donkey. From a great distance He picks Marcus out of a crowd of thousands and speaks audibly to him alone and to him specifically, saying, “I have a future for you.” During the week, Marcus is repelled by Jesus and drawn to Jesus. He fears Jesus’ power over the crowds. He is the dumbfounded eye witness to Jesus’ healing miracles. He rejoices while Jesus humiliates moneychangers and Pharisees. He hopes Jesus will be acquitted by Pilate. He feels almost personally betrayed when Jesus might have saved Himself, but deliberately does not. Ordered to crucify Jesus, Marcus does so obediently and resolutely.
I could empathize with Marcus. Like Marcus, I was a career soldier. Like him, I had superiors I admired and those I did not. I had peers who were my friends and those I loathed. I worried about missions I was given when they endangered subordinates I was responsible for, and, admittedly, when they jeopardized my career if they failed. Unlike Marcus, I have not literally whipped my Savior and pierced his flesh with nails. But like Marcus, my personal sins have caused Jesus to suffer pain on the cross.
The Soldier is a two-fold page turner. It is better than an exciting read. Those of us blessed with a lifetime of church have heard the story of Christ’s trial and crucifixion as often as our lives have seen Easter Sundays. We have read the Biblical account, in all four gospels, many times. Yet, as I turned the pages of The Soldier, eagerly, I also found myself compulsively turning the pages of the Bible to sort out exactly which details of that week Kitz lifts literally from Scripture and which tidbits his imagination supplies. The blend is seamless. For instance, the lame boy Christ heals in Scripture becomes Kitz’ Lucas, a three-dimensional character twice cursed by the world and twice miraculously loved by Christ. What Christian author hopes for more than for it to be said that his work sends readers scurrying into the pages of the Holy Bible?
We are all Marcus. All of us, like Marcus, have heard Jesus promise us a future. We have all been drawn to Jesus and been afraid of Jesus; we have rejoiced with Jesus, and we have all felt alone when our lives spiraled out of control in sin and remorse. Jesus has stretched out His hands to all of us, and, like Marcus, we have all driven spikes into them. When we read David Kitz’s The Soldier Who Killed a King, we too, confess, “Surely, He is the Son of God.”
American readers click this link to purchase The Soldier Who Killed a King.
Canadian readers click this link to purchase The Soldier Who Killed a King directly from the author.
Good News to Start 2018
03 Wednesday Jan 2018
Posted in book review, Books by David Kitz, Psalms
Tags
award, crucified, crucifixion, Easter, forgiven, Interviews and Reviews, Lent, Longinus, New Years Day, Passion Week, redeemed, the cross, The Soldier Who Killed a King
It’s always encouraging to get good news as you start the new year. That was my experience on New Years Day this year as I got word that my novel The Soldier Who Killed a King was voted the top book in the biblical fiction category for 2017, by the Christian book service, Interviews and Reviews.
Yes, I was pleased! Winning this award bodes well for book sales as we approach the Lent and Easter season which will commence in mid February.
The book details the events of Passion Week as seen through the eyes of the Roman centurion, Marcus Longinus. He is the centurion who at the foot of the cross made this startling confession about Jesus, “Surely he was the Son of God!” (See Matthew 27:54, NIV.)
What led this hardened soldier to reach such a conclusion?
I think we often underestimate the power of the cross and the heart-gripping story that unfolded there. Paul, the apostle, did not make that mistake. Paul writes: Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:22-24). 
The real good news for 2018 isn’t that my book won an award. The true good news is that Jesus suffered and died a wretched death on a wooden cross, so that I can be redeemed and forgiven.
He did the same for you. Do you believe that?
Have you been to the foot of the cross lately? I dare you to go there. Go there and be changed—truly changed. That’s the real power of the cross. And that my friend is absolutely the best news of 2018!
This year I pray that you will fully experience the transformational power of the cross.
Coloring Outside the Lines
30 Thursday Nov 2017
Posted in book review, Books by David Kitz, Psalms
Tags
Bible study, book, book review, centurion, David Kitz, Easter, fictional, grace, Jesus Christ, Sabrina Wade, The Soldier Who Killed a King
This book review of The Soldier Who Killed a King caught my eye for a number of reasons. Sabrina Wade captured the spirit and the essence of this book. Here is her five star review:
At first, the beginning of this novel took my mind back to the movie Risen. As I kept reading, the novel blossomed into so much more.
Kitz, did an excellent job staying super close to the biblical accounts
surrounding the death, burial, and resurrection of my Lord Jesus Christ. The fictional details of the ”what ifs” concerning not only the centurion, but also the many bystanders held me captivated. Those scenes were like coloring outside the lines. They gave the reader an additional piece of art without tampering with the original.
If hearing the truth about Jesus Christ through Bible study, around Easter, or from a neighbor isn’t appealing or worth believing PICK UP A COPY. Kitz will have your heart in his hand from the beginning until the end. He will make you question why you are still in denial. And for others he will lovingly remind you why Grace is sooooooooooo AmAzINg!
For more details visit Interviews and Reviews.
Holy Week Through the Eyes of a Roman Centurion
28 Saturday Oct 2017
Posted in book review, Books by David Kitz, Psalms
Tags
Barabas, Biblical fiction, Easter, Jesus, King Herod, Longinus, Pontius Pilate, Roman centurion, terrorist
A stunning story of Holy Week through the eyes of a Roman centurion
Watch the triumphal entry of the donkey-riding king through the eyes of Marcus Longinus, the centurion charged with keeping the streets from erupting into open rebellion.
Look behind the scenes at the political plotting of King Herod, known as the scheming Fox for his ruthless shrewdness.
Get a front-row seat to the confrontation between the Jewish high priest Caiaphas and the Roman governor Pontius Pilate.
Understand as never before the horror of the decision to save a brutal terrorist in order to condemn the peaceful Jew to death.
If you’ve heard the story of Passion Week so often it’s become stale, now is the time to rediscover the terrible events leading from Jesus’s humble ride into the city to his crucifixion. The Soldier Who Killed a King will stun you afresh with how completely Christ’s resurrection changed history, one life at a time.
A Review by Laura Davis 
I love Biblical Fiction and this story, written from the perspective of the Roman centurion who nailed Jesus to the cross, is a keeper. We don’t often get a glimpse into the minds of those who had contact with Jesus, and the author, David Kitz, did an excellent job in drawing me into the story.
Kitz did an incredible job of making me feel like I was there. I could clearly see the blood on the centurion’s hand and feel his anger over having to kill what he considered, an innocent man. I never considered before how the soldiers would have reacted at having to release a known terrorist – Barabas – in favour of a “harmless” prophet from Galilee. And when Marcus (the centurion) realizes who Jesus really is and his subsequent transformation because of it, well . . . you almost forget it is fiction.
I loved this story and you will too! A great novel to read at Easter, but more importantly at any time of the year.
REVIEW OF: The Soldier Who Killed a King
31 Thursday Aug 2017
Posted in Books by David Kitz, Psalms
Tags
author, Barabbas, Bible, Canadian Bible Society, centurion, Christian, crucifixion, David Kitz, Easter, gospel, historic novel, historical research, Jesus, Passion Week, plot, Roman centurion, terrorist, The Soldier Who Killed a King
REVIEW OF: The Soldier Who Killed a King
SUB-TITLE: A True Retelling of the Passion
PUBLISHER: Kregel Publishing, 2017, 285 pages 
CLASSIFICATION: Historical Christian fiction
ISBN: 978-0-8254-4485-2
AUTHOR: David Kitz
BY: Wilf Wight, Director, (retired)
Eastern Ontario District
Canadian Bible Society
Maybe it is because I am left-handed, or maybe it demonstrates impatience, but when I first pick up any book, I invariably flip to the concluding pages. Call me a cheater if you will, but I am looking for a conclusion worthy of the time required to read the book! When I turned to the back of The Soldier Who Killed a King, the concluding pages of this story accomplished what every well-written book should do. The author reached back into the plot for a brief review and then projected the reader toward the future. In this case, the plot obviously had elements of violence and suffering which were being transformed through forgiveness and healing. And the future held promise of hope and excitement.
My attention next is concentrated on the first couple of chapters. Has the author grasped my attention in the opening paragraphs? Was sufficient detail given to introduce the plot, while only hinting at more intrigue to follow? Were the characters being carefully introduced in a way that begged my investigation? Yes, the author passed the basic tests. He had been successful in reaching out to me and I wanted to read this book!
Our western world has had major exposure to the Christian Gospel and most readers know at least something of what has come to be known as Holy Week, the week between Palm Sunday and Easter. However, the Bible makes only passing reference to two of the main characters in the story, the Centurion (military officer) who carried out the crucifixion and Barabbas (the convicted murderer) released by the authorities. The author seizes upon this opportunity to give them personalities, develop their thoughts and articulate their opinions. This proved to be a clever and effective tool to experience the unfolding of the drama in a fresh perspective.
For readers who have the mistaken idea that the biblical account is far removed from reality, here is fiction that will help them discover truth. As the author effectively paints the picture of the process of first century justice, political influence and compromise become realities. We cringe as the sentence is carried out by the most cruel and violent method. This is the most gripping account of the crucifixion that I have ever read! One could almost hear the hammer fall, feel the pain, sense the dishonor and share the guilt of that scene. After reading the description of the crucifixion of the first two victims, I hesitated, in fact halted. I was not sure if I wanted to tackle the third one—that of the Christ. And yet, despite the graphic description of this horrible experience, the author accomplished his goal without resorting to gross descriptions of the mangled human body.
We are confronted with the enigma of the Christ. He is the one who has demonstrated miraculous power to heal the lame and restore sight to the blind. He is the one who gently took children on his knee to teach them. Yet he set aside the exercise of his powers to submit to the terror of the Cross. The terrorist, Barabbas, was released—set free from prison and back into society—as the peoples’ alternative choice. And the sentence was carried out under Pilate’s orders by the Soldier. Through the eyes of these two characters we see another perspective, which does not usually come to the mind of the worshiper during Passion Week.
One device the author uses effectively is the introduction of each chapter with a day and time orientation. In this way the unfolding of the drama is situated on the calendar. Those who know the biblical account realize that Friday is coming but that is not the end of the story because Easter Sunday will be the revelation of the resurrected Christ.
As we approach the chapter dealing with Easter Sunday, the reader is rewarded with the hope and excitement of an amazing new day. The darkness of the crucifixion is not forgotten but rather dims in the light of the resurrection. The despair of death is replaced by the hope of new life. The willing submission of Jesus, the Donkey King, to the soldiers is now recast as the power of the One who can forgive and restore.
The concluding pages of the story bring us to a climax, so well-crafted and tensioned that I dare not give it away.
The epilogue provides further details of the main characters of the plot, gleaned from historical research. The endnotes reference biblical and other texts, which document the main course of events. The author has done his homework. His account of these events is well researched and credible.
