Over the years I have kept reasonably up-to-date on the findings and theories about the Turin deck. Every year something new emerges as various scientists try to understand this enigmatic shroud.
The shroud could have recorded its first appearance in 1356 at a time when religious relics and superstitions abounded in medieval Europe. Some researchers claim to be reliable in tracing it back to the 6th century and one claims there is even reasonable evidence that it comes from the 1st century. Whatever the recorded history, many religious people think that it is the authentic burial cloth of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Pope recently went to pray before the Shroud, for which he clearly believes it has meaning.
No matter what one thinks of the shroud, it is certainly a mystery. In 1898 it was photographed for the first time and this led to an intriguing discovery: the image on the Shroud is a negative. Until this time, MOST skeptics thought the image was simply the work of a skilled medieval artist trying to cash in on the relic market. However, the discovery that the image was actually this could have a negative idea under a lot of pressure. Recently, artists and scientists have tried to reproduce such an image using pigments, dyes, rubbing, heat treatments, etc. His results are interesting but far from convincing. Furthermore, current microscopic examination of the fabric shows no evidence of any pigment.
In 1988 Carbon 14 indicated that the cover originated in the Middle Ages. More recently, however, facts have submerged showing that the process was highly imperfect and that the cloth may well date back to the first century.
Since 2003, several articles have appeared in reputable scientific journals seeking to make sense of the Shroud and its image. A popular hypothesis is that the image was FORMED from derivatives of ammonia from the human body interacting with carbohydrate residues in the fabric (Maillard reaction). He notes that this does not fully explain the remarkable image. It appears that the image on the shroud is some sort of 3D terrain map of the body it covered. Due to this quality, researchers have been able to use modern computer technology to develop a complete reproduction of the body. In 2010, the History Channel aired a documentary showing the results of this process. The resulting 3D image shows a man with abrasions on his face, shoulders and knees. Scourge marks from a cat of nine tails are visible and the wound on the side, wrists and feet are unmistakable.
The consensus opinion at this time is that the Shroud of Turin is genuine because it contains tic from the fiber image of a man who died by crucifixion and that, in all likelihood, the material dates back well before medieval times. Is it the burial shroud of Jesus? No one can be sure of this, it is certain the purpose of the wounds shown in the image according to the evangelical record of the crucifixion.
Some scientists are still not satisfied with the chemical interaction theory of how the image was FORMED. They claim that a catalytic event must have caused such a reaction. They theorized that some form of energy must have passed through the fabric to trigger a chemical reaction. One hypothesis is that units of matter called expired nucleons must have decoupled causing a dematerialization of the body. Briefly, the body pierced through the cloth of the shroud.
This is all interesting but far from conclusive, so why am I interested in him and why should you be? Luke 11 and Matthew 16 record Jesus’ words about the only sign he was willing to give to an unbelieving generation. Matthew 12:38-41 records, ‘Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him: “Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you.” He replied: An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But they will not give it to him except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” It is debatable whether or not scientific evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the sign of our age. What is certain HOWEVER is that research continues, TV channels continue to produce documentaries, people write books, the purpose remains a mystery. The crucifixion and resurrection remain in the public eye.
Every Easter the Christian church remembers the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am grateful that scientists and skeptics, however disbelieving, continue to wrestle with the possibility that this pivotal event in biblical history may well be historically and scientifically verified. If it was verifiable, would this effect my faith in some way? No, but it sure would be a world that doesn’t think to sit down and take notice.