Guest post by Miriam Judith.
A landmark new study has been published in the journal Inheritanceplacing the biblical mystery that is the Shroud of Turin at the center of controversy once again.
The ancient cloth, also known as the ‘Holy Shroud,’ first appeared in the 15th century and has since been venerated by many Christians as the burial cloth in which Jesus Christ was wrapped after his crucifixion.
Printed on the shroud is the silhouette of a man, who appears to have undergone the same crucifixion process as Jesus of Nazareth, which led many to believe for centuries that the man on the cloth was Christ himself.
Previous research appeared to undermine these claims when scientists in the 1980s used carbon dating technology which estimated the cloth was made during the Middle Ages – earlier than Christ’s crucifixion and burial.
However, a new study launched by Italian scientists shows that the cloth was made about 2,000 years ago. If true, this would be the date when Christ walked the earth and could potentially validate previous claims that science has apparently ‘debunked’ decades ago.
In the study, researchers used X-ray scattering techniques to determine whether the fabric was actually made more than 20 centuries ago, saying they believe the material was preserved due to the low temperatures in Europe. However, the endpoint must be valid to confirm the findings. That’s not much about it, but it’s also not one hundred percent conclusive.
BREAKING: New Italian X-Ray Study of Shroud of Turin CONFIRMS Date 2000 Years Ago
This debunks previous carbon dating flaws
The shroud has been scientifically matched to linen known since the siege of Masada in AD 72 https://t.co/khjtKUPSYN pic.twitter.com/REEoyNdfWO
— Jack Poso (@JackPosobiec) August 21, 2024
From the study titled ‘X-ray Dating of a Turin Shroud’s Linen Sample:’
“In the Turin Shroud (TS) sample, we used a new method to date the ancient linen thread by examining its structural degradation with Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering (WAXS)… We obtained a one-dimensional integrated WAXS data profile. for the TS sample, which is compatible with analogous measurements obtained on dated linen samples, according to historical records, it is 55–74 AD, Siege of Masada (Israel).
The natural aging rate of the cellulose that is the linen of the investigated sample, obtained by X-ray analysis, shows that TS fabric is older than seven centuries suggested by 1988 radiocarbon dating.
The experimental results are consistent with the hypothesis that TS is a 2000-year-old relic, as believed by Christian tradition, according to the conditions kept at the appropriate level of average secular temperature-20.0-22.5 °C-and relative humidity-75-55%-for 13 centuries of known history, in addition to seven centuries of known history in Europe. “
Using AI to process new x-ray analysis, a hyper-realistic image of what Christ would have looked like if the cloth had actually been buried more than 2,000 years ago. It went viral online, racking up millions of views.
Many claim that the computer-enhanced image of Jesus from the Shroud of Turin must look “European” and cannot be authentic. But note the similarity (allowing for the iconographic style) to the icon of Christ Pantocrator, painted in the 6th century in the Middle East. pic.twitter.com/BHFeqLVbAB
– Eric Sammons (@EricRSammons) August 23, 2024
In addition, other new findings also support the conclusion of the study.
In a separate analysis by an engineer at the University of Padua in Italy, researchers were able to analyze a previous fabric sample, finding that the material found in it is typical of ancient Jerusalem rather than Europe, which is believed to have originated as a forgery. According to University of Padua professor Guilin Fanti, there are also some features printed on the shroud that support its claim to be the original burial cloth of Christ.
He found that the features in the silhouette closely resembled the physical representation of Christ on Byzantine coins. In addition, the analyzed particles have been confirmed by Fanti as human blood containing two different types of blood.
“I would call Type A blood the blood that comes out of the corpse and the postmortem blood; It is composed of microcytes that show the agony of breathing of Jesus on the cross,” Fanti told DailyMail.
“Type B consists of coagulated blood crusts probably formed when Jesus was on the cross or up Calvary,” he continued.
The new evidence is in stark contrast to previous studies that claimed the Shroud was a forgery dating hundreds of years after Christ’s crucifixion. Newly discovered information has reignited a centuries-long debate about the origins of burial cloths.
This fact provides an incentive to examine the relationship between faith and science, especially from a Christian perspective. Contrary to popular belief that science provides definitive answers to life’s biggest questions, the pursuit of knowledge itself is a faith-based endeavor. Just as one must rely on scientific methodology and the interpretations of scientists, so one must rely on faith to grasp the tenets of any belief system, including Christianity.
Regardless of scientific findings, throughout the Bible, we find many references to the supremacy of faith over worldly wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 1:25, Apostle Paul wrote, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than man, and the weakness of God is stronger than man.”
In addition, the Bible encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith even in the face of conflicting opinions. Romans 12:2 challenges Christians not to conform to the patterns of this world, which often include uncritical respect for scientific authority, but to be transformed by the renewal of their minds in submission to the knowledge that God has given them.
In an age defined by skepticism and uncertainty, Christians can take comfort in knowing that their beliefs do not need to be validated by the latest scientific discoveries. However, they can be sure of the truth of the Bible and the unchanging promises of God.
While we don’t have to look for scientific studies to confirm our faith in Jesus Christ, at night when these studies can prove our faith.
