Was the Image on the Shroud Really Caused by an Earthquake?

I have done at least a couple of posts on the Shroud of Turin because the subject seems to fascinate me. Moreover, if ever there was a discovery that proved once and for all that it is authentic than it would make the burial cloth the ultimate source for Christian apologetics, perhaps. The truth is that no one to date has been able to prove that it is or that it isn't the authentic burial cloth; however, it is possible that the questions being asked about it are the wrong ones, but that may be best discussed at another time. On this post I simply want to share an article written by someone else.

I always enjoy reading the latest discoveries or articles about the Shroud of Turin, and very recently I read one that I would like to share with you the readers. The article in reference was written for livescience by Megan Gannon, News Editor. The article is titled: Shroud of Turin: Could Ancient Earthquake Explain Face of Jesus? The article is about a new study of the shroud, but I will not go into many details because I will leave that up to you as you read. An initial claim about this study, according to the article is as the following: “Now, a study claims neutron emissions from an ancient earthquake that rocked Jerusalem could have created the iconic image, as well as messed up the radiocarbon levels that later suggested the shroud was a medieval forgery. But other scientists say this newly proposed premise leaves some major questions unanswered.” Now, what are these unanswered questions? Well, Christopher Ramsey, the director of the Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit asks:

"...why the material here is affected, but other archaeological and geological material in the ground is not," Ramsey wrote in an email. "There are huge numbers of radiocarbon dates from the region for much older archaeological material, which certainly don't show this type of intense in-situ radiocarbon production (and they would be much more sensitive to any such effects)."

Indeed, this is a great question because why would neutron emissions only happen on the burial cloth and not on other archaeological artifacts from the same time period. But, I have questions I would ask as an apologetist that maybe science is overlooking.

What question would I ask? Well, the biggest phenomenon with relevance to Jesus was not that he died or was crucified because that is pretty much accepted by almost all historians. However, the reason for Christianity existing is not that Jesus died, it is that he resurrected. Now, how often do we have people that die and come back to life three days later and furthermore, ascend into heaven 40 or 50 days later which is more or less documented by Luke in his Gospel and in the Book of Acts? So, the question I would be asking is what happens during a resurrection like the one attributed to Jesus? I know that I have heard some scientists that are believers say that an Event Horizon took place inside that burial cloth and that is why this image cannot even be reproduced today with even the technology we have. Maybe science should start questioning what takes place during a resurrection…just saying. Anyhow, that is enough of me ranting, and let me share the article with you. The link to the article in reference is below and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did. Blessings!

Shroud of Turin: Could Ancient Earthquake Explain Face of Jesus? | LiveScience

Reference:

http://m.livescience.com/43276-ancient-earthquake-shroud-of-turin.html

Cornerstone

On Sunday, October 7, 2012, I made a post on here that was titled: The Link Between the Old and the New Testaments, is it the Cornerstone? I shared some verses on this post like Psalm 118:21 which reads: “The stone which the builders rejected is become the chief corner-stone (JPS)," and also, Isaiah 28:16 which reads: “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD: Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a costly corner-stone of sure foundation; he that believeth shall not make haste (JPS).” The purpose of this post is simply to share Scripture verses that revolve around this same idea of the cornerstone, and simply let you the reader think about what these verses are saying, and if you so desire also share your thoughts in the comments section; therefore, I welcome your participation as always.

Another place where this idea of the cornerstone is used is in Ephesians 2:19-22 which reads:

“[19] So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, [20] built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, [21] in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; [22] in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit (RSV Bible).”

I would also like to share some readings coming from the lectionary Scripture readings from January 31, 2014 that were posted by a church that sends me readings via e-mail daily. The following are those readings I mentioned.

1Peter 1.1-2, 10-12, 2.6-10

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen and destined by God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
The prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired about this salvation; they inquired what person or time was indicated by the Spirit of Christ within them when predicting the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glory. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things which have now been announced to you by those who preached the good news to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
For it stands in scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and he who believes in him will not be put to shame.” To you therefore who believe, he is precious, but for those who do not believe, “The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner,” and “A stone that will make men stumble, a rock that will make them fall”; for they stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were no people but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy (RSV Bible).”

Mark 12.1-12

“And he began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a pit for the wine press, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country. When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants, to get from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. And they took him and beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent to them another servant, and they wounded him in the head, and treated him shamefully. And he sent another, and him they killed; and so with many others, some they beat and some they killed. He had still one other, a beloved son; finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ And they took him and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants, and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this scripture: ‘The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?” And they tried to arrest him, but feared the multitude, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them; so they left him and went away (RSV Bible).”

I hope you have enjoyed these Scripture readings. Blessings!


References:

JPS Tanakh

RSV Bible