Source: ©1978 Barrie M. Schwortz Collection, STERA, Inc. Reprinted by permission
Posted on 12/05/2020 5:58:58 AM PST by Kaslin
Source: ©1978 Barrie M. Schwortz Collection, STERA, Inc. Reprinted by permission
Although the birth of Jesus is “the reason for the season,” his death and resurrection are the foundational reasons we celebrate Christmas. And the ancient artifact that illustrates Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection is the Shroud of Turin — a linen cloth measuring 14 feet by 3.5 feet with a faint image of a crucified man that millions believe is Jesus Christ.
The Shroud has survived over two thousand years and is the world’s most analyzed artifact. Yet, due to its numerous unexplained properties, it remains a mystery. But the Shroud’s authenticity is controversial, mostly stemming from the infamous 1988 C-14 carbon dating test, which concluded that the cloth dated between 1260 and 1390 A.D. However, since 1988 those test results have been repeatedly disputed and debunked by many scientific experts.
Among those experts is Joe Marino, a former Benedictine monk and Catholic priest who has studied and written about the Shroud for 43 years. Marino’s newest book,
“The 1988 C-14 Dating of the Shroud of Turin – A Stunning Expose’” details all that went awry with the 1988 tests, scientifically and politically.
Given my keen interest in the Shroud, I have written numerous Townhall articles and several specifically about the C-14 dating controversy. Therefore, I am familiar with Joe Marino’s standing as a world-renowned Shroud expert and pleased that he agreed to answer some questions about his new book.
Strong>Myra Adams: What prompted you to write an 800-page book about the 1988 C-14 dating of the Shroud of Turin?
Joe Marino: When the results of the C-14 Shroud dating test were announced in 1988, I immediately knew something was wrong. Dating the linen cloth between the years 1260 and 1390 did not correspond with the extensive scientific evidence gathered before 1988. Most notably, the medieval dates conflicted with the “gold standard” of Shroud studies — the Vatican authorized 1978 Shroud of Turin Research Project (STURP) with its stunning conclusion that “there are no chemical or physical methods known which can account for the totality of the image.”
Subsequently, when I sifted through all the Shroud writings questioning the 1988 results, it became apparent that the C-14 testing was severely flawed. Then in 2016, I wrote a 175-page article titled “The Politics of the Radiocarbon Dating of the Turin Shroud.” After retiring in 2018, I expanded that article, which grew into an 800-page book.
MA: You have said that the book “points to irrefutable proof that politics – along with personal agendas – was the main theme of the C-14 dating of the Shroud.” Can you explain your quote?
JM: Initially, the C-14 test was to have been one of 26 multi-disciplinary tests. The process was then marred by enormous problems, including eliminating the multi-disciplinary tests, constant protocol changes, Machiavellian-type actions by members of the C-14 labs, and a complete lack of rigor in the science. All of that was accentuated by Catholic Church leaders making poor management decisions while authorizing and overseeing the C-14 dating.
Interestingly, in 1985, Cardinal Ratzinger (who became Pope Benedict XVI in 2005) initially approved that the 1978 STURP team could perform various dating tests on the Shroud, including C-14. But one of the C-14 scientists was convinced that STURP was composed of religious fanatics. A total falsehood dispelled by STURP’s team list and the prestigious U.S. government labs where most of them worked. Ultimately, a person or group overruled Ratzinger’s decision and eliminated all but the C-14 test along with the entire STURP team! THAT was politics.
MA: What do you say to readers who think the Shroud is a medieval forgery?
JM: Those who think the Shroud is a fraud should start asking why the C-14 test is the only major piece of scientific evidence to make that assessment. Then people must do some research (read my book) and quit making knee-jerk pronouncements about this mysterious cloth with properties still unexplained by 21st-century science.
MA: If the crucified male image on the Shroud was not thought to be Jesus Christ, how would the C-14 testing have been different?
JM: I’m convinced that because the Shroud is associated with Jesus, psychological factors impacted how the testing was performed. Some people have trouble trying to integrate science and religion. Suppose the image was thought to have been someone other than Jesus, no doubt that a routine scientific dating of the cloth would have been performed. But, because it is believed to be Jesus, many additional and detrimental factors were introduced into the C-14 dating process.
Consequently, because of massive amounts of Shroud scientific evidence (primarily from STURP), including the fact that no one has been able to duplicate the totality of the image characteristics (despite what some skeptics claim), most people expected the cloth to be dated to the 1st century, the time when Jesus of Nazareth lived. Therefore, if the 1260-1390 dates are correct, then it can’t possibly be the cloth used at his burial. But now, there is overwhelming evidence proving the 1988 dating results cannot be taken at face value.
MA: These days, why should anyone care about the Shroud of Turin?
JM:The world is in a dire mess right now, and many people are looking for answers and spiritual comfort. And just when faith in Jesus is most needed, there has been a glut of “Jesus never existed” articles and books. Unfortunately, we can never prove 100% that the Shroud wrapped Jesus because we do not have his DNA. Yet, the longer scientists are unable to disprove the Shroud’s authenticity increases the chances that the Shroud is exactly what it is purported to be — the cloth that wrapped the historical Jesus — who lived, died, was buried, and left his body image on his burial Shroud at the moment of His Resurrection. That is very significant!
My wish is that the Catholic Church would basically stop keeping the Shroud stored away in Turin, Italy, for I believe the burial cloth belongs to the world. Science and technology have grown by leaps and bounds since STURP’s 1978 “hands-on” research concluded with the following statement about the male image on the cloth: “It is not the product of an artist.” New technology offers humankind the opportunity to learn much more about this mysterious cloth and the “man’s” image displayed on its surface.
MA: Do you believe that the central mysteries of the Shroud will ever be solved?
JM: We will continue to learn more about the Shroud, despite its relative lack of availability, but I don’t think we will ever solve all of its mysteries. If the Shroud of Turin truly wrapped Jesus, it will likely produce even more questions than answers. However, it might help some people answer the one all-important question posed by Jesus:
“Who do you say I am?”
MA: Joe, on behalf of Townhall readers, thank you for this interview.
No one can ever prove this is the shroud that covered Jesus. The grant money and other money making opportunities will go on forever.
Scripture calls it a "napkin".
I don't believe the shroud is real
Nobody says you need extra-biblical miracles to have faith (although, to be a Christian, one is required to believe that miracles occur). But God sends them anyway.
It’s a very interesting thing. Scientists thought they had it whipped with the first test, but they tested a piece of added material.
But that’s not the real problem for scientists. They are flummoxed by how the image was put on the cloth. It does not penetrate the cloth at all, like paint or any other added substance would. It sits on top of the fibers without entering them. They can’t explain it except to say it may have been caused by a sudden powerful burst of light which lasted for a VERY short period of time.
It’s...interesting.
The evidence is overwhelming that the Shroud was the burial cloth of Jesus and in fact records His Resurrection.
There are many good Shroud sites but the best IMO is:
https://theshroudofturin.blogspot.com/
This site is not organized for easy comprehension, but fairly and scrupulously covers every aspect of Shroud research. You need to look. It is just plain fascinating.
The central FACT of human Earthly existence is the historical reality of Jesus and all that implies.
The Shroud is a beautiful gift from God, a gift reserved especially for modern man.
I respect those Christians who are anxious to dispute the authenticity of the Shroud. I have heard all the reasons and disagree. God bless you for your pov.
I am simply happy that God has opened my mind and heart to the special gift of the Shroud.
all of THAT is after the fact of women levitating the body to set it down on top of a long cloth that is then folded over from head to foot,,, or foot to head
# 4: well said!
Have you looked at all the available evidence?:
Scripture calls it a "napkin"
The Shroud is purportedly the "burial cloth" of Jesus. The "napkin" was a separate piece of cloth, probably the one used to bind up the jaw of the dead person (John 20:7).
This shroud stuff belongs in a carnival sideshow.
There’s a pilgrimage church in Rome that has many relics. It also has a full size computer generated image of the Shroud, backlit from both sides.
It is an amazing image to stand before and contemplate.
The church is amazing too. It’s original parts are from around 400 AD. It was built to house the relics that St. Helen collected and brought back to Rome.
You are free to your personal opinion, of course, but a simple assertion does not engage the available proffered facts surrounding the issue at question.
None of the Shroud dissenters ever showed how the image was formed nor can they explain the negative image centuries before photography was invented.
Well stated. Thank you.
There are two cloths. The body wrapping one (shroud) and that which is wrapped around the head to hold the jaw up. The latter is the "napkin" referred to. Scripture notes that the napkin was placed separately from the shroud.
And a snaky insult at believers.
Free to believe what you wish, no one disputes that, however, a rational expression of your stance is best received when stated logically, dispassionately and with respect.
"Faith is the substance of the things hoped for, the eviddence of thinhs unseen"Heb. 11:1 AV).That is why the regeneerate servant of God and Jesus Friend never seeks such a temporal artifact, because faith stands alone on nothing except Jesus and His Word.
Occupation with the Sh of T is pure idolatry. a Satanic pursuit, IMHO.
They historically found where Jesus was born, where Jesus was crucified and where Jesus was buried. Good enough for me.
I dont need my faith to be confirmed if they found the place where Jesus hung out for milkshakes and fries when he was 20 years old.
"regerred" = referred
"Faith is the substance of the things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen" (Heb. 11:1 AV).
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.