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[[image:Shroud of Turin face.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Negative image of the face of the Shroud; the photographic qualities of the Shroud were unknown until 1898.]]

[[image:Shroud of Turin face.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Negative image of the face of the Shroud; the photographic qualities of the Shroud were unknown until 1898.]]

The '''Shroud of Turin''' (in Italian, ''la Sacra Sindone'') is the most studied artifact in the history of the world, causing some [[agnostic]] or [[Atheism|atheist]] [[scientist]]s to convert to [[Christianity]].<ref>[http://www.shroud.com/mrinobnf.pdf]</ref> Other scientists, who have not converted, still consider the Shroud to be the authentic burial cloth for [[Jesus Christ]].

The '''Shroud of Turin''' (in Italian, ''la Sacra Sindone'') is the most studied artifact in the history of the world.  It is a piece of burial cloth which dates to about the time of Jesus, with what appears to have imprinted on it the face of a man, and blood stains.  

 

The Shroud contains real blood stains consisting of human male [[DNA]], and a [[blood type]] that is AB - the same rare blood type<ref>Less than 5% of Europeans have AB blood type.</ref> found on the [[Sudarium of Oviedo|face covering for Jesus]] preserved in Spain,<ref name="Oviedo">The [[Shroud of Oviedo]].</ref> and the same rare blood type common in "68 skeletons of Jewish residents from 1,600 to 2,000 years ago in and around [[Jerusalem]]."<ref>http://www.rhesusnegative.net/staynegative/blood-types-ancient-hebrews/</ref> The height of the man was between 5'9" and 5'11"; his weight, 168-180 pounds; his age, between 30 and 45 years old.<ref>[https://www.shroud.com/meacham2.htm Excellent scientific article about the Shroud]</ref>  Coins visible only to modern technology had been placed over the man's eyes, an ancient Roman tradition not known to historians until modern archaeological excavations revealed the practice.<ref>Coins over the eyes were particularly necessary to keep the eyes shut if the person died with his eyes open.</ref> The coin over the right eye was minted by [[Pontius Pilate]], and the coin over the left eye was minted only in A.D. 29, merely a few years before the estimated date of the [[Crucifixion]].<ref name="Coins">http://www.shroudstory.com/faq-coins.htm</ref>  The angle of the man's arms during the [[crucifixion]] can be inferred from the flow of blood seen on the Shroud:  65° for one arm; 55° for the other.  The cloth was a finely woven linen that would have been available to a wealthy man as described in the [[Gospels]], and was cut from the same fabric containing the same pollen as the face covering preserved separately in Spain.<ref name="Oviedo"/>

There is overwhelming [[forensic]] evidence on the Shroud indicating that it is the image of man who was unusually both [[scourge]]d and crucified, and yet (as described in the [[Bible]]) without the breaking of the victim's leg as commonly done as part of the punishment.<ref name="Forensics">http://www.shroudstory.com/forensics.htm</ref>  The bloodstains on the Shroud were formed before the image was made, suggesting that the image was formed by a kind of flash of light after death.  The image is scientifically precise in a way unknown to any medieval forgers: the thumbs are not visible because the nails were through the wrist, not through the hands as mistakenly thought until the 20th century.<ref name="Forensics"/>

There is overwhelming [[forensic]] evidence on the Shroud indicating that it is the image of man who was unusually both [[scourge]]d and crucified, and yet (as described in the [[Bible]]) without the breaking of the victim's leg as commonly done as part of the punishment.<ref name="Forensics">http://www.shroudstory.com/forensics.htm</ref>  The bloodstains on the Shroud were formed before the image was made, suggesting that the image was formed by a kind of flash of light after death.  The image is scientifically precise in a way unknown to any medieval forgers: the thumbs are not visible because the nails were through the wrist, not through the hands as mistakenly thought until the 20th century.<ref name="Forensics"/>

The long cloth is presently kept in the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in [[Turin]], [[Italy]].<ref>[http://www.shroud.com/]</ref>  An [[agnostic]] [[British]] scholar studied the ''Shroud of Turin'' and concluded in his book, ''The Sign'' (2012), that the Shroud is authentic and was even the basis of [[disciples]]' acceptance of the [[Resurrection]].<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9162459/Mystery-solved-Turin-Shroud-linked-to-Resurrection-of-Christ.html</ref>

The long cloth is presently kept in the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in [[Turin]], [[Italy]].<ref>[http://www.shroud.com/]</ref>  An [[agnostic]] [[British]] scholar studied the ''Shroud of Turin'' and concluded in his book, ''The Sign'' (2012), that the Shroud is authentic and was even the basis of [[disciples]]' acceptance of the [[Resurrection]].<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9162459/Mystery-solved-Turin-Shroud-linked-to-Resurrection-of-Christ.html</ref> The shroud has caused some [[agnostic]] or [[Atheism|atheist]] [[scientist]]s to convert to [[Christianity]].<ref>[http://www.shroud.com/mrinobnf.pdf]</ref>  Other scientists, who have not converted, still consider the Shroud to be the authentic burial cloth for [[Jesus Christ]].

==Description==

==Description==

The wrists and feet bear large bloodstains consistent with historical descriptions of [[crucifixion]].  The feet themselves are placed one on top of the other within the image; both front and dorsal images display a single large bloodstain, indicating one nail was driven through both feet upon the cross.  The left wrist likewise displays a large bloodstain; however, the left hand covers the right, preventing a view of the wound there.  Blood flows are present on both lower arms, displayed to flow in a direction as if the victim was hanging on a cross.  A single large bloodstain is also present on the right side of the chest - nearly-obliterated by the 1532 burn damage - and appears to have been mixed with a clear liquid from the body.  Blood stains are also present about the [[scalp]], and the marks of a severe beating are evident upon the face.

The wrists and feet bear large bloodstains consistent with historical descriptions of [[crucifixion]].  The feet themselves are placed one on top of the other within the image; both front and dorsal images display a single large bloodstain, indicating one nail was driven through both feet upon the cross.  The left wrist likewise displays a large bloodstain; however, the left hand covers the right, preventing a view of the wound there.  Blood flows are present on both lower arms, displayed to flow in a direction as if the victim was hanging on a cross.  A single large bloodstain is also present on the right side of the chest - nearly-obliterated by the 1532 burn damage - and appears to have been mixed with a clear liquid from the body.  Blood stains are also present about the [[scalp]], and the marks of a severe beating are evident upon the face.

== DNA Testing ==

== DNA Testing ==

According to a paper by Dr. Petrus Soons scientific research of some of the photographs of the shroud show an oval object under the beard of the image. After much research three cursive letters were identified and translated from the Hebrew. The meaning of the translation was, "The Lamb," a name in which Jesus was referred to in the New Testament.<ref>[http://74.125.93.132/search?q=cache%3ACtDFWbA8AfIJ%3Awww.ohioshroudconference.com%2Fpapers%2Fp24.pdf+THE+SHROUD+OF+TURIN%2C+THE+HOLOGRAPHIC+EXPERIENCE+By+DR.+PETRUS+SOONS&hl=en&gl=us Dr. Soons Paper]</ref> This finding now makes the person on the shroud exclusively identified with Christ.

According to a paper by Dr. Petrus Soons scientific research of some of the photographs of the shroud show an oval object under the beard of the image. After much research three cursive letters were identified and translated from the Hebrew. The meaning of the translation was, "The Lamb," a name in which Jesus was referred to in the New Testament.<ref>[http://74.125.93.132/search?q=cache%3ACtDFWbA8AfIJ%3Awww.ohioshroudconference.com%2Fpapers%2Fp24.pdf+THE+SHROUD+OF+TURIN%2C+THE+HOLOGRAPHIC+EXPERIENCE+By+DR.+PETRUS+SOONS&hl=en&gl=us Dr. Soons Paper]</ref> This finding now makes the person on the shroud exclusively identified with Christ.

== Critics ==

== Criticisms ==

Many of the arguments by modern skeptics against the authenticity of the Shroud have been disproven.  For example, some claimed that a misspelling on one of the coins over an eye could not be authentic, but in fact several other coins having the same misspelling have since been found.<ref name="Coins"/>

There have been many arguments against the authenticity of the Shroud, some of which have been disproved.  For example, some claimed that a misspelling on one of the coins over an eye could not be authentic, but in fact several other coins having the same misspelling have since been found.<ref name="Coins"/>

Over the centuries there have been critics and doubters of the Shroud being the authentic burial cloth of Jesus. One of the earliest unbelievers was Pierre d'Arcis, Bishop of Troyes who wrote a scathing letter to the pope in 1389 claiming that the Shroud was a "cunning" painting and that the artist had been discovered.<ref>The Shroud, Ian Wilson, 2010, page 102.</ref> A harsh critic of the Catholic Church, [[John Calvin]], repeatedly ranted against relics and he wrote against the Shroud in 1543:  

Over the centuries there have been critics and doubters of the Shroud being the authentic burial cloth of Jesus. One of the earliest known critics was Pierre d'Arcis, Bishop of Troyes who wrote a scathing letter to the pope in 1389 claiming that the Shroud was a "cunning" painting and that the artist had been discovered.<ref>The Shroud, Ian Wilson, 2010, page 102.</ref> A harsh critic of the Catholic Church, [[John Calvin]], repeatedly ranted against relics and he wrote against the Shroud in 1543:  

:''"How is it possible that those sacred historians, who carefully related all the miracles that took place at Christ's death, should have omitted to mention one so remarkable as the likeness of the body of our Lord remaining on its wrapping sheet? This fact undoubtedly deserved to be recorded. St John, in his Gospel, relates even how St Peter, having entered the sepulchre, saw the linen clothes lying on one side, and the napkin that was about his head on the other; but he does not say that there was a miraculous impression of our Lord's figure upon these clothes, and it is not to be imagined that he would have omitted to mention such a work of God if there had been any thing of this kind."''<ref>[[John Calvin]]: ''Traité des Reliques'', Geneve 1543, translated by '''Valerian Krasinski''': ''A treatise on Relics'', Edingburgh 1854</ref>

:''"How is it possible that those sacred historians, who carefully related all the miracles that took place at Christ's death, should have omitted to mention one so remarkable as the likeness of the body of our Lord remaining on its wrapping sheet? This fact undoubtedly deserved to be recorded. St John, in his Gospel, relates even how St Peter, having entered the sepulchre, saw the linen clothes lying on one side, and the napkin that was about his head on the other; but he does not say that there was a miraculous impression of our Lord's figure upon these clothes, and it is not to be imagined that he would have omitted to mention such a work of God if there had been any thing of this kind."''<ref>[[John Calvin]]: ''Traité des Reliques'', Geneve 1543, translated by '''Valerian Krasinski''': ''A treatise on Relics'', Edingburgh 1854</ref>

The flaw in Calvin's argument, is that the disciples had no reason to study the Shroud at the time, and no access to modern photographic equipment; they had far greater concerns during the chaotic period after Christ's Resurrection.   

However, it is also reasonable to say that the disciples had no reason to study the Shroud at the time, and no access to modern photographic equipment; they had far greater concerns during the chaotic period after Christ's Resurrection.   

Another argument against the legitimacy of this artifact is based on the account of John, as mentioned by Calvin above.  

Another argument against the legitimacy of this artifact is based on the account of John, as mentioned by Calvin above.  

== References ==

== References ==

{{reflist}}

{{reflist}}

*[http://www.shroud.com/pdfs/guscin3.pdf Sermon of Gregory Referendarius, Archdeacon of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, August, 944]

*[http://www.shroud.com/pdfs/guscin3.pdf Sermon of Gregory Referendarius, Archdeacon of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, August, 944]

*[http://www.shroudstory.com/shroud-of-turin-picture-01.htm Amazing Details about the Shroud]

*[http://www.shroudstory.com/shroud-of-turin-picture-01.htm Amazing Details about the Shroud]