The week before Easter the History Channel aired the following two hour documentary on the Shroud of Turin called, The Real Face of Jesus. Experts in computer graphics have created a computer generated likeness of the image found on the Shroud. While I do not need the Shroud to be authentic to believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I found this program to be fascinating. Not only is this the most fair minded "Christian" documentary I have seen the History Channel produce, but it also makes a compelling argument for the authenticity of the Shroud. I encourage everyone to view the following segments without commerical interruption and decide for yourself if the Shroud is the burial cloth of our Lord. Be sure to read my comments at the end.
I Corinthians 15:3-4 states, "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again, the third day according the to the scriptures." As I said before, I believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ because the scriptures say that he rose again on the third day. In short, I believe that the Bible is more sure than anything we can experience through our fives senses. Having been an eyewitness to the majesty of Christ, in addition to hearing the voice of God the Father at the mount of transfiguration, Peter states that he has more faith in God's written word than in what he saw and heard (II Peter 1:16-19).
Is the Shroud real? In the end I don't know, nor does it ultimately matter, because there is enough other evidence for the empty tomb. According to noted Christian Apologist, Norman Geisler the Apologetic value of the Shroud is limited. Geisler states, "As far as the apologetic value of the Shroud, the matter of its authenticity is not really relevant. All the essential evidence to defend Christanity is in fact apart fromt he Shroud. It it is authentic, it provides no essential evidence for Christ's death and resurrection that we do not already possess elsewhere. And if it not authentic, then we risk using a bad argument for a good cause and loose credibility for Christian apologetics. . . The miracles of Jesus confirm that he is the Son of God. Both Jesus and supernatural prophecy are sufficient to support the claim that the Bible is the Word of God. No other evidence is needed. Christanity does not stand or fall in any sense on the question of the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin. (Baker Encycyopedia of Christian Apologetics, 706)"
Any thoughts?
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3 comments:
Yes, I saw the program also and it was interesting. Just wonder about the face cloth over the Lord's face...maybe I didn't listen very closly, but I don't see how the seperate face cloth (napkin) is used over the length of the Shroud? (John 20.7)
Am reminded of the rich man and Lazarus, and the Lord's words..."If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead" (Luke 16.31).
They were not persuaded.
Linda,
The seperate face cloth (napkin) was discussed in the program. There was an entire section about how the body was wrapped and perpared for burrial.
I'll re-listen for the napkin explaination as must have missed or walked away!!!!
The custom of the time was for a man to wear his hair short...ie like the Roman coins look...the Shroud shows the man with long hair. John the Baptist was a Nazerine...but not Jesus. Would He not have worn His hair short as men of the culture did? (Isaiah says that He was not comely that we should desire Him ie that He stood out in beauty or anything extraordinary) and doesn't Corinthians say it is a shame for a man to have long hair?
Just some thoughts that I wonder about.
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