Shroud of Turin -- Burial Cloth of Jesus Christ

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Quran says in Sura 4:157-158 "And because of their saying: We slew the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, Allah's messenger - they slew him not nor crucified him, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him not for certain. But Allah took him up unto Himself. Allah was ever Mighty, Wise."

This video clip contains a collection of valid evidences that support the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin. Excerpt from National Geographic about the Secrets of the Shroud is for "fair use" and review. The Carbon dating is the only evidence that is against the authenticity of the shroud and National Geographic's video provides the best explanation to refute the claims of medieval forgery.

This Shroud of Turin shall refute that the revelation in Quran Sura 4:157-158. The said verses contradict with the accounts on the 4 gospels of Jesus in the Holy Bible. Even if compared to the words of Lord Jesus, the above verse can be proven to be inaccurate beyond reasonable doubts in accordance with the Mosaic law.

The conclusion that Shroud of Turin is the burial cloth of Lord Jesus comes from the following ten (10) material facts:-

1. The image on the shroud could not be duplicated or reproduced exactly by any latest photographic technology;

2. The striking negative image was first observed on the evening of May 28, 1898 on the reverse photographic plate of amateur photographer Secondo Pia who was unexpectedly allowed to photograph it as part of an exhibition for the Turin Cathedral;

3. Professor of Ancient History Dr Daniel Scavone testified that no ancient artists have produced similar paintings of Jesus;

4. Shroud Documenting Photographer Barrie M. Schwortz , an Orthodox Jew testified that he believed the shroud is the burial cloth of Jesus;

5. Forensic pathologist Fred Zugibe believed that the image of the crucified man match the accounts mentioned in the Gospel of John 19:34 (But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water);

6. Textile historian Flury-Lemberg testified that the shroud or linen was found in the first century similar to the one she saw at Masada, Israel;

7. The explanation for the radiocarbon dates on the Shroud of Turin being younger than the time of Christ is that the sample of shroud used for carbon dating and original shroud are not identical. There is some kinds of manipulation or ignorance to use the sample taken from the medieval repair patch due to a fire in 1532.;

8. Kenneth Steven Author of Shroud and the Controversy testified that pollen grains found on the shroud were available in Europe, Palestine, Southern Turkey, Masada etc which mean this shroud is likely to be carried to those places at certain time in the past.;

9. The bodily injuries of the crucified man fit exactly with Lord Jesus mentioned in the Holy Bible. Visible injuries are the lashes at the back of the body, pierced wounds at the base of the thumb and feet, spear wound at the chest and injuries at the shoulder from carrying rough object likely the cross beam for the crucifixion.;

10. The early Church has always believed it to be the burial cloth of Jesus ever since it was reportedly seen as the Edessa Cloth in Constantinople in 944 AD. Now it is permanently kept in the royal chapel of the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Turin, Italy -- hence known as Shroud of Turin.

Quote from Barrie M. Schwortz
"Frankly, I am still Jewish, yet I believe the Shroud of Turin is the cloth that wrapped the man Jesus after he was crucified. That is not meant as a religious statement, but one based on my privileged position of direct involvement with many of the serious Shroud researchers in the world, and a thorough knowledge of the scientific data, unclouded by media exaggeration and hype. The only reason I am still involved with the Shroud of Turin is because knowing the unbiased facts continues to convince me of its authenticity."

Source: http://shroud.com/message.htm

Jesus lived a perfect life, He died for the sins of mankind, He was raised from the dead, and then He ascended into heaven. By accepting him as Lord and Savior by grace through faith we are forgiven. Christians don't base these beliefs on the Shroud of Turin or any other ancient artifact. Rather, Christians have faith in Lord Jesus and accept these things because of a belief in the truthfulness of the Holy Bible.

References:-

1) http://www.shroudexhibits.ph/main

2) http://www.shroud.com/examine.htm

3) http://www.shroudstory.com

4) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shroud_of_Turin

Keywords: carbon, Catholic, crucifixion, dating, Jesus, shroud, turin