The technology expended on this shroud is telling. A grasping world searching for a tangible link to the intangible. This shroud is too another icon that needs to be put away while we, should search out our hearts for the Spirit that can dwell within each and every one of us.
” . This shroud is too another icon that needs to be put away”
I agree somewhat, however
“And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.” John 20:7
Our Lord and the Holy Spirit had some reason for recording this fact for us, as a witness. The more I come to understand about Gods Holy Word, the more I realise there are no frivolous details recorded, every word, every place, name and activity is included for a reason.
Lots of conjecture here, but IF this reference in John Chapter 20 could be the Sudarium of Oviedo and it has any linkage back to the Shroud of Turin? it would push the date for the Shroud back to the 7th Century,
We could never directly prove the Shroud was the burial cloth for Jesus, however for anyone looking there is much to consider here, whatever it is, it does not appear to be a fake (relic) burial cloth.
I never did understand what the big deal was with this shroud anyway. If it’s a fake, so what? That doesn’t change the fact that Jesus was crucified and resurrected. That’s what’s important, not whether or not some piece of cloth covered Jesus’ head after He died.
Even for an atheist, I can’t see the significance. Except for the Resurrection and the miracles Jesus performed, the Gospels are consistent with atheism. That is, there was an influential religious teacher who preached in the Roman province of Judea. He ran afoul of the Jewish religious leaders who conspired with Roman authorities to have Jesus of Nazareth crucified. Presumably Jesus would have been buried in accord with local custom, which includes a burial shroud. Finding that shroud does not constitute evidence that Jesus was anything other than human.
In short, whether fake or not, why does it really matter? Nobody’s beliefs are challenged by it one way or another.
1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect
The “hope” we have is forgiveness of our sins so that we can have eternal life in heaven with Jesus. The PROOF of this is the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We are to defend the faith. The Shroud continues (as technology advances) to be more PROOF of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
What could be more important to Christians that the resurrection? NOTHING! Without the resurrection there is no Christian faith.
So, is the Shroud of Turin important? Of COURSE IT IS. DUH!