EASTER SERMON: Is the Shroud of Turin Authentic?

The Shroud of Turin is the most scientifically tested religious relic in existence. Decades of radiocarbon dating, pigment testing, material testing, biological studies and medical forensics have been performed on this fabric. Has science proved that it is authentic? Has science proved that the image on the Shroud represents that of only one person – Jesus of Nazareth? 

Some claim that it has. The arguments go something like this, “Scientists cannot prove that it is a fraud” and “Scientists cannot figure out how the image got onto the linen fabric, therefore, it must be supernaturally authentic.” The first argument is certainly true and the second statement is true in the sense that scientists do not know conclusively how the image got onto the fabric. Therefore, we must conclude that the image on the Shroud is that of Jesus, right? 

No. We must remember three key features of the scientific method that are relevant here. First, those who claim that the Shroud is authentic have the burden of proof, not the skeptics, therefore, the first statement is scientifically invalid. Scientists do not have to prove that it is a fraud – and they can’t. It is believers who must prove the authenticity of the claim by providing positive evidence to support the claim. Second, to say that there is no scientific explanation for the image, and therefore, it must be authentic is a textbook example of the logical fallacy known as the “argument from ignorance.” Proponents tend to take the position that the Shroud is authentic until proven otherwise. This is unscientific. The Shroud must be considered a fraud until proven otherwise. It cannot be considered authentic by default. And third, testimonial claims regarding supernatural events are unscientific. It does not matter how many people say it is a supernatural artifact and it doesn't matter how many people sincerely believe it. Only positive, empirical evidence in support of the proposition matters from a scientific perspective.

So, in order to prove that the Shroud of Turin represents the image of Jesus, proponents would have to provide evidence to prove four key elements of this claim. First, they would have to prove that Jesus actually existed. (For the purpose of this discussion we will grant this.) Second, they would have to prove that the Shroud dates back to the time of Jesus. Third, they would have to prove that of the thousands of people executed by the Romans in the first century, this Shroud came from only one of these people – Jesus – at the exclusion of all others. And fourth, they would have to prove that the Resurrection of Jesus is a factual, historical event. Now here is the stunning fact. None of the scientific studies conducted thus far back up these claims. The evidence does not support the claim that the Shroud of Turin ever wrapped the body of Jesus.

The focus of scientific studies has been on determining the date of the fabric. Proponents have failed to prove that it came from the time of Jesus, and more importantly, they have provided not a single shred of evidence to support the key idea that, of the thousands of people crucified in ancient times, that it came from only one person – Jesus. Keep in mind that just because the image on the Shroud shows the kind of injuries described in the Bible, the Bible is a collection of testimonial claims and cannot be used as evidence for or against authenticity. Second, if the Shroud is a fraud, then the forger simply created an image that included all the elements described in the biblical narrative. Scientific studies have not proven that the image came from only one person – Jesus.

But the next crucial question is this – is the Resurrection a scientifically/historically verified event? Do we know with any reasonable certainty that Jesus was miraculously raised from the dead and still lives to this day? No. As stated before, the biblical claims that this event occurred are nothing more than claims – the testimonials presented in the Bible do not serve as evidence that this supernatural event actually occurred any more than the claims of modern televangelists serve as evidence that any supernatural events occur today.

But if the Resurrection actually occurred it would be easy to prove, after all, Jesus would be factually alive today. He might be conducting speaking tours, have his own YouTube channel, and have more FaceBook friends than Lady Gaga and President Obama combined. In other words, we have no evidence that Jesus is alive today and there is certainly no evidence that he survived death 2,000 years ago.

So, in a nutshell, while dozens of studies have been conducted on the Shroud, not a single bit of evidence shows that the image represents just one person – Jesus - and no empirical evidence exists to show that the image is the result of a supernatural event – the Resurrection. Proponents who wish to prove that the Shroud of Turin is authentic have a long road to travel on this one.