The Shroud of Turin, Coins in the Eyes

For a few years, now, I have known about the images of coins found in the eyes of the image of the man in the famous Shroud of Turin. I have wanted to research a bit more on the subject before writing anything on it, but I haven’t really found the time. This is not the first time I write about the Shroud on this blog, and it may not be the last because I am always following new developments with relevance to the Shroud. So, I will normally try posting any updates on the subject, sooner or later. I am one of those that believes in the authenticity of The Shroud of Turin.

I came across a related article from 2017 on Aleteia and decided to share with the readers. The following is an excerpt from the article.

"In an interview with RCF Liège, the numismatist Agostino Sferrazza addressed the old question on the coins that cover the eyes of the Man of the Shroud. According to his conclusions, these pieces must have been coined in the days of Pontius Pilate, circa the year 29. This could constitute an additional proof of the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin (aleteia.org)."

I suppose the foregoing gives the basic idea of what the article is about. I will not go into many details since I prefer that one gets the information from the referenced article. I will say, however, that it is believed the coins were “leptons: small coins of low value that were common in Palestine in Roman times. “It is also believed the pieces were coined in 29 AD. I don’t think I need to explain that this year coincides with the time Jesus began his ministry, and with the time of his crucifixion. Anyhow, thank you for reading, and enjoy the article. The link is below. 

Coins of the Shroud of Turin Identified--Aleteia

Reference:

https://aleteia.org/2017/04/26/shroud-of-turin-coins-may-finally-have-been-identified/.

Seminar at Sea in August of 2019

Enjoy an unforgettable 7-day Alaska cruise next August on Holland America’s luxurious ship the Oosterdam — known for amazing food and superb service. As you cruise the pristine waters of the Inside Passage at an ideal time of year, savor stunning coastlines — with soaring mountain peaks, massive glaciers, and rarely-seen wildlife. Join us on this memorable voyage of exploration and enrichment (travelstudy.bib-arch.org)!

This looks like a fun trip for August 2019. Read more about the details at the link below.

Seminar at Sea 2019 · BAS Travel/Study Events: Visit Biblical archaeology sites, discover ancient Bible history, and hear top Biblical archaeologists and Bible scholars share their latest research and findings at the Biblical Archaeology Society's international programs, cruises and U.S. seminars.

Reference:

https://travelstudy.bib-arch.org/cruises/seminar-at-sea-2019.

Happy New Year!

Wishing all a wonderful, healthy, and prosperous 2019! Blessings!

Merry Christmas to All!

Merry Christmas to All!

Christmas Message on Unifying the Faith

https://unifyingthefaith.blogspot.com/2018/12/presiding-bishop-michael-curry.html?m=1

The Transfiguration: a Moment in the Space Time Continuum?

I'm sure you’re all familiar with the Transfiguration of Our Lord, so you will most likely understand where I'm probably going with this title. Even if an idea is predictable, it is always worth mentioning. I think I came up with this idea during a eulogy that my father was giving recently for a close friend of our family. Of course, my Dad's idea came from a scriptural/theological foundation, but once I insert the phrase space time continuum, science is being referenced. So, let’s see where we go with this.

The Transfiguration is found in the New Testament in the Synoptic Gospels and in the Second Epistle of Peter it is also mentioned. In this post I will simply use the reference from Luke’s Gospel 9: 28-36, which reads as follows:

“28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus[a] took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake,[b] they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings,[c] one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. 34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35 Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen;[d] listen to him!” 36 When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen (NRSV).”

Well, what is so unusual about this passage? Suddenly, they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to Jesus. Why is it unusual? That’s simple to say, but not so simple to comprehend using our logic, perhaps. Tapping briefly into biblical chronology, Moses lived about 16 centuries before Jesus, and Elijah about 9. However, in this event both Moses and Elijah are seen by witnesses talking to Jesus in their present time, although all three were supposedly from different time periods. By faith, one can simply say that in heaven (perhaps another dimension) time does not exist; therefore, this sort of interaction like the transfiguration is possible. The problem is that Jesus wasn’t in heaven at the time, he was alive on Earth, but something happened to him for this to take place, seemingly. The verse said: “the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white.” What happened? I have no idea. Can science explain what took place during the Transfiguration? Maybe, maybe not!

The space time continuum idea was developed in 1906 by Hermann Minkowski, Einsten’s former college professor. The following excerpt which briefly explains the idea may perhaps be helpful in explaining or not explaining how the Transfiguration could have taken place.

"space and time, as physical constructs, have to be combined into a new mathematical/physical entity called 'space-time', because the equations of relativity show that both the space and time coordinates of any event must get mixed together by the mathematics, in order to accurately describe what we see. Because space consists of 3 dimensions, and time is 1-dimensional, space-time must, therefore, be a 4-dimensional object. It is believed to be a 'continuum' because so far as we know, there are no missing points in space or instants in time, and both can be subdivided without any apparent limit in size or duration. So, physicists now routinely consider our world to be embedded in this 4-dimensional Space-Time continuum, and all events, places, moments in history, actions and so on are described in terms of their location in Space-Time (einstein.stanford.edu).”

The reality is that I am probably still just as perplexed. The excerpt does say that “physicists now routinely consider our world to be embedded in this 4-dimensional Space-Time continuum, and all events, places, moments in history, actions and so on are described in terms of their location in Space-Time.” The Transfiguration was a moment in history, according to the New Testament, and during this event 3 individuals from different moments in history converged at the same moment in time. How did this happen? I have no idea, perhaps Jesus had a time machine. Since I have no explanation for the event, I simply must conclude by saying: Merriam-Webster's defines a Miracle as "an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs." Blessings, and I hope you enjoyed reading!

Reference:

https://einstein.stanford.edu/content/relativity/q411.html

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/miracle

NRSV Bible

Hebrews 9, Earthly and the Heavenly Sanctuaries

The Earthly and the Heavenly Sanctuaries 9 Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tent[a] was constructed, the first one, in which were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of the Presence;[b] this is called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a tent[c] called the Holy of Holies. 4 In it stood the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which there were a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; 5 above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat.[d] Of these things we cannot speak now in detail. 6 Such preparations having been made, the priests go continually into the first tent[e] to carry out their ritual duties; 7 but only the high priest goes into the second, and he but once a year, and not without taking the blood that he offers for himself and for the sins committed unintentionally by the people. 8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the sanctuary has not yet been disclosed as long as the first tent[f] is still standing. 9 This is a symbol[g] of the present time, during which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10 but deal only with food and drink and various baptisms, regulations for the body imposed until the time comes to set things right. 11 But when Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come,[h] then through the greater and perfect[i] tent[j] (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation), 12 he entered once for all into the Holy Place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, with the sprinkling of the ashes of a heifer, sanctifies those who have been defiled so that their flesh is purified, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit[k] offered himself without blemish to God, purify our[l] conscience from dead works to worship the living God! 15 For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, because a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant.[m] 16 Where a will[n] is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. 17 For a will[o] takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. 18 Hence not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. 19 For when every commandment had been told to all the people by Moses in accordance with the law, he took the blood of calves and goats,[p] with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the scroll itself and all the people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God has ordained for you.” 21 And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent[q] and all the vessels used in worship. 22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Christ’s Sacrifice Takes Away Sin 23 Thus it was necessary for the sketches of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves need better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own; 26 for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. Footnotes: Hebrews 9:2 Or tabernacle Hebrews 9:2 Gk the presentation of the loaves Hebrews 9:3 Or tabernacle Hebrews 9:5 Or the place of atonement Hebrews 9:6 Or tabernacle Hebrews 9:8 Or tabernacle Hebrews 9:9 Gk parable Hebrews 9:11 Other ancient authorities read good things to come Hebrews 9:11 Gk more perfect Hebrews 9:11 Or tabernacle Hebrews 9:14 Other ancient authorities read Holy Spirit Hebrews 9:14 Other ancient authorities read your Hebrews 9:15 The Greek word used here means both covenant and will Hebrews 9:16 The Greek word used here means both covenant and will Hebrews 9:17 The Greek word used here means both covenant and will Hebrews 9:19 Other ancient authorities lack and goats Hebrews 9:21 Or tabernacle New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Source: https://www.biblegateway.com