Christ also said that his generation would only be given “the sign of Jonah...who was in the belly of the fish for 3 days and nights, so shall would be with the son of man who would be in the heart of the Earth for 3 days and 3 nights”
The shroud may very well be the embodiment of that sign since it would show the very image Resurrected and living Christ just as his statement predicted.....
Or it’s a great fake, amongst many such fakes that that period produced. The science thus far used to examine the shroud argues against any known forms of fakery known from that period that might have been used to produce that shroud. Some folks have had their faith strengthened from viewing the shroud or pictures of it. Satan doesn’t like divisions in his kingdom so if the shroud has been faked, the revelation of the fakery must come soon, lest too many come to strong faith in God. If the shroud is not a fake, then Satan will try to besmirch the shroud, will try to have it declared as fakery when it is not or if that fails, will try the age old trick of trying to get people to worship it.
If the shroud is real, then there be in that shroud a physical proof of the “Sign of Jonah!”.
Whether the Shroud is real or not, the premise that faith is not based upon a degree of evidential warrant is wholly unScriptural, yet this need not be by sight.
God did call Israel to covenant with Him until after He had manifestly revealed Himself, while all held John the baptizer to "be a prophet indeed" based upon his holy character and convicting Scriptural words, even though he no miracles.
And it is was the testimony of the Resurrection of Christ that Paul states gave faith (pistis) unto all. (Act 17:31)
Meanwhile, the judgment of the Gentiles in Rm. 1 is based upon them having received revelations of the reality of God (For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Romans 1:20), and acting contrary to the innate moral sense, "the work of the law written in their hearts," Romans 2:15) by which man can "by nature the things contained in the law," by God's grace, which would lead them to "the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world," (John 1:9) True Light, Christ, glory to God.
However, the premise of a degree of evidential warrant for faith does not mean God will always do what He did for Israel in the Exodus, making it unmistakably manifest that He was real and leading them (which, contrary to Muhammad and his mere "visions," was before commissioning them to exterminate the Canaanites), and which still saw people in practice responding like atheists. But God gives to everyone a degree of light and evidential warrant for faith, and the judgment of souls will be "according to Truth," based upon the light and grace one has.
Which leaves those who were enlightened and realized the power of God and turned away as being the most accountable. (Hebrews 6:1-8; 10:25-39; Gal. 5:1-4)
People worship relics. They worshiped the serpent on a pole made by Moses. They worshiped the ark of the covenant. And they worshiped the temple. Anything that distracts us from worshiping our Lord Jesus is sin.
Believe in Jesus.
Not his rags, not his crown, not the shiny cross on the wall, not the perfumed and pampered men in Rome, not the Televangelist asking for pieces of silver.
Believe in Jesus.
He believes in you.
You will surely be interested in this, and I wish I had it at hand a couple of days ago when you first put up this post.
And before the thread turned into another Freekin' Freekin' Theological Brawl.TM Mostly, I'm adding it to the thread as part of my madcap, makeshift informaiton storage system. The best way I can re-find this article is probably bu searching for it in Free Republic.
My own bookmark system is so useless. Everything crammed chaotically into every category.
If my brain looks like my catch-as-catch-can external info retrieval schemes, God help me!!
9. The whole world is filled with her glory, and this is especially true of Christian peoples, who have chosen her as guardian and protectress of kingdoms, provinces, dioceses, and towns. Many cathedrals are consecrated to God in her name. There is no church without an altar dedicated to her, no country or region without at least one of her miraculous images where all kinds of afflictions are cured and all sorts of benefits received. Many are the confraternities and associations honouring her as patron; many are the orders under her name and protection; many are the members of sodalities and religious of all congregations who voice her praises and make known her compassion. There is not a child who does not praise her by lisping a Hail Mary. There is scarcely a sinner, however hardened, who does not possess some spark of confidence in her. The very devils in hell, while fearing her, show her respect.
10. And yet in truth we must still say with the saints: De Maria numquam satis : We have still not praised, exalted, honoured, loved and served Mary adequately. She is worthy of even more praise, respect, love and service.