Over the years I have kept reasonably up to date on the findings and theories regarding the Shroud of Turin. Something new emerges every year as various scientists seek to understand this enigmatic burial shroud.

The shroud made its first recorded appearance in 1356 at a time when religious relics and superstitions were rife in medieval Europe. Some researchers claim to be able to trace it back to the 6th century and one even claims that there is reasonable evidence that it dates back to the 1st century. Whatever its recorded history, many religious people believe that it is the authentic burial cloth of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Pope recently went to pray before the Shroud, so 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 that time, most skeptics thought the image was simply the work of a skilled medieval artist trying to cash in on the relics market. However, the discovery that the image was actually negative put this idea under a lot of pressure. Recently, artists and scientists have tried to reproduce such an image using pigments, dyes, rubbing, heat treatment, etc. Their results are interesting but far from convincing. Furthermore, current microscopic examination of the cloth does not show any evidence of any pigment.

In 1988, carbon 14 dating indicated that the Shroud originated in the Middle Ages. More recently, however, facts have been submerged proving that the process was seriously flawed 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. One popular hypothesis is that the image was formed by ammonia derivatives from a human body interacting with carbohydrate residues in the fabric (Maillard reaction). But this does not fully explain the remarkable image. It seems that the image of the shroud is a kind of 3D terrain map of the body it covered. Because of this quality, researchers have been able to use modern computer techniques to develop a complete reproduction of the body. In 2010, the Historia channel broadcast a documentary showing the results of this process. The resulting 3D image shows a man with abrasions on his face, shoulder, and knees. The flogging marks of a cat-o-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 carries within its fibers the image of a man who died by crucifixion and that in all probability the material can be dated to well before medieval times. Is it the burial shroud of Jesus? No one can be sure of this, but it is certain that the wounds shown in the image fit 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 theorize that some form of energy must have passed through the cloth to trigger a chemical reaction. One hypothesis is that the units of matter called nuceons must have become uncoupled, causing a dematerialization of the body. In short, the body pierced through the shroud cloth.

This is all interesting but far from conclusive, so why am I interested in it 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 told 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 you 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 the scientific evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the sign of our era. However, what is certain is that the investigation continues, television channels continue to produce documentaries, people write books, but the mystery remains. The crucifixion and resurrection remain in the public eye.

Every Holy Week the Christian church remembers the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am grateful that scientists and skeptics, believe it or not, continue to wrestle with the possibility that this pivotal event in Biblical history can be historically and scientifically verified. If it were verifiable, would this affect my faith in any way? No, but it would surely make an incredulous world sit up and take notice.