“What if it is real?”
exactly how would that ever be proven...?
That’s why it works so well as a fund raiser.
If by “proven”, you mean in the sense of a mathematical proof, of course never. But “proving” in the courtroom sense of “beyond a reasonable doubt” is still unlikely, but not so far-fetched.
There is a wealth of forensic evidence making a very strong case that the shroud was wrapped around a man who died as a result of crucifixion (see the many Shroud web sites for details). There is significant, but weaker evidence tying the shroud to Jerusalem in Jesus’ day (pollen, minerals, absence of vanillin, etc.) The C-14 dating that supposedly dated the shroud to the middle ages has now been largely debunked.
As to tying it to Jesus specifically, there are several details (whipping, crown of thorns, legs unbroken) that are described in the Gospels but not usually seen with crucifixion. Beyond that, I resort to Occam’s razor - why would the shroud from another victim have been preserved? When one looks at the totality of evidence, that the Shroud was Jesus’ seems to be the simplest explanation that fits the facts.
The only way to “disprove” that it’s real is to recreate it, using techniques pertaining to the age a couple thousand years ago. The image has already been verified as not painted or dye is used, but burned into the fiber through a radioactive type of event that is unknown. The only way that could even be done today is with a laser printer. It also appears to be a 3D image. http://shroud3d.com
Author asks.....”If those who insist that the Shroud is fake, then we must counter with the question, “What if it is real?”
I prefer being blessed for believing without seeing....as is written...”Blessed are those who believe without seeing.” John 20:29
Author asks.....”If those who insist that the Shroud is fake, then we must counter with the question, “What if it is real?”
I prefer being blessed for believing without seeing....as is written...”Blessed are those who believe without seeing.” John 20:29
exactly how would that ever be proven...?
Well, when the bequeathed owner of the Shroud returns, we should ask Him.
It has been proven beyond any doubt that the shroud could not have possibly been created by any technique currently known to man.
If it could not have been created by any known technology today, it certainly could not have been created by a man 2000 years ago.
The shroud has been extensively studied and all the details are consistent with Roman crucifixion at the time of Christ.
It has the potential to be shown to comport with the bible account of Jesus’ life. That’s the most we can ask of it.
The spirit of Jesus himself has to be encountered to be believed. Once that is seen to be a quite reasonable belief, other things of minor consequence like the Shroud can fit into it, as Easter eggs as it were.