Over the years I have kept reasonably up-to-date on the findings and theories about the Shroud of Turin. Each year something new emerges 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 to the 1st century. Whatever its recorded history, many religious people think 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 that 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 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 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 dating indicated that the Shroud originated in the Middle Ages. More recently, however, facts have been submerged that prove the process was seriously flawed and that the fabric 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 by derivatives of ammonia from a human body interacting with carbohydrate residues in the fabric (Maillard reaction). But 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 techniques to develop a complete reproduction of the body. In 2010, the History 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 whipping marks of a cat-o-nine tails are visible and the wound on the flank, wrists and feet are unmistakable.

The consensus opinion at this time is that the Shroud of Turin is genuine because it bears within its fibers the image of a man who died by crucifixion and that in all probability the material can be dated well before the medieval era. 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 gospel 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 fabric to trigger a chemical reaction. One hypothesis is that the units of matter called nuceons 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. 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, however disbelieving, 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 unbelieving world sit up and take notice.