Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!linac!att!princeton!njin!paul.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: mcguire@cs.tamu.edu (Tim McGuire) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: The Shroud of Turin Message-ID: Date: 8 Apr 91 02:11:41 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Computer Science Department, Texas A&M University Lines: 51 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu The following is a brief look at the shroud of Turin that I developed several years ago. It has not been updated with the results of the latest scientific studies, but it is still just as valid. I was written in reaction to some "fundamentalist" and "evangelical" Christians attempts to defend its authenticity. Some of this material was based on the notes of Paul Fedena, pastor of the Fairless Hills Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is not my intention to be offensive in any way to any one with this study; I trust that those who have formed opinions about it based on what they would like to believe will reexamine those beliefs as a result of this. Tim McGuire mcguire@cs.tamu.edu -------------------- The Shroud of Turin and the Scriptures 1. The "shroud" is one piece, whereas the "graveclothes" consisted of at least two pieces. There was also a "napkin...about His head." If this cloth was wrapped "about His head," how could an imprint of His features be transferred to the shroud? 2. The "shroud" shows a man with long flowing hair. Question: How did His hair come in contact with the "shroud" if it was simply laid over the body? (According to the proponents, "only where the body actually touched the cloth was an imprint made." [ABC 20/20, 4/16/81]) Comment: The tradition of Christ having longer than normal hair seems to be of medieval origin, based on the mistaken notion that He was a Nazarite (like Samson or John the Baptist.) Christ is said to be a Nazarene -- one from Nazareth -- instead, and in fact would have violated any Nazarite vow many times by His actions. (Touching the dead, partaking of the fruit of the vine, etc.) 3. The "shroud" shows a man laid on top of it with the remainder simply laid on top of Him, in sandwich fashion. The Bible clearly states that the disciples "wrapped Him" and "wound Him" in linen clothes (plural), not in a "shroud" or "cloth" (singular). He was simply not laid on or in a one piece cloth. (Look up Mk. 15:46, Mt. 17:59, Lk 23:53, Jn. 19:40) Conclusion: Whatever "the Shroud of Turin" is, it is not the burial clothes of our Lord Jesus Christ. If we rely on the Biblical evidence, instead of on traditon and superstition, we can reach no other conclusion. Application: If we were to uncover the graveclothes of Christ, or some other "relic" what good would it do? Would it strengthen our faith? We have the Scriptures! "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name." (John 20:31) -------