The closer you look at the Shroud of Turin, the easier it gets to believe that the most closely examined section of cloth in the world is, indeed, a record of what Jesus Christ endured for our sake.
There’s new attention focused on the shroud this year for a few reasons. First, the History Channel ran a two-hour special, “The Real Face of Jesus,” on March 30. It showed how a computer artist used high-tech imaging techniques to draw 3-D data from the shroud’s facial image. The result is a persuasive presentation and an astonishing “portrait.”
Second, Pope Benedict has directed the shroud’s caretakers in Turin to display the relic this spring — 15 years ahead of its normal 25-year interval. The Holy Father himself will visit on May 2.
Third, the shroud is perpetually compelling. The blood stains, the pollen, the microscopic evidence of rare materials: All point to a scourging, crucifixion and burial in first-century Palestine. And the continuing inability of artists and scientists to explain how the image was created points to something beyond the range of human art and science. It all reinforces the impression of being in the presence of what the beloved disciple observed in the empty tomb when “he saw and believed.”
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I watched the History Channel presentation and now truly believe this is the authentic shroud of Christ.
The Gospel of John chapter 20 and verse 7 says “And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.” God’s holy Word tells us that there was a cloth that covered His body and a separate piece of cloth used to cover his head. The shroud of Turin is one piece of cloth which covered the head and body (of someone). Yours is different from the one described in the Holy Scriptures. Sorry, but this is the wrong piece of cloth. I would rather believe God’s Word than men’s. and I would rather worship Him (in spirit and truth) rather than worship relics.
Happy Easter! Christ is risen!
I went on a tour of Turin and surrounding areas with many visits to many churches along the way, never knowing what made each church or cathedral special. When I walked into the Cathedral of Turin, i knew it was special, I felt a higher power within. I was amazed at all the people - Jewish, Muslim, Christian - what was so special about a church that all religions would gather here - in prayer? As I ventured further into the church and discovered what was so special, I was breathless- while I did not get to see the real shroud I did get to see the silver repository in which it is entombed. It was sacred. While only God the father knows if it is real or not - for me - it’s real - I felt it - I believe.
Terry, you’ve locked your mind in an either/or cage. You think you believe only God’s word and not men’s, but in fact you believe both men’s word and God’s Word, for starters, every time you read the Bible. Specifically, you’re trusting the two councils of Catholic bishops who, around the year 400, discerned and canonized into Scripture the writings we call the New Testament. You also follow a hermeneutic of biblical interpretation handed down by men. (I’m going to go out on a limb and guess your hermeneutic traces back no further than John Calvin, who came along more than 1,500 years after the events of the Gospel.)
Meanwhile you fail to discern between worship and veneration. (Hint: No one *worships* the Shroud of Turin or any other relic, sacramental or holy object.) In doing so, you deny the Bible’s clear examples of God using earthly matter to convey supernatural grace. Check out Exodus 3:5, 2 Kings 13:20-21, Matthew 9:20-22, Acts 5:14-16 and Acts 19:11-12.
Wishing you Easter peace. Our Lord is risen indeed!
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