Special Report: Turin Shroud Scientifically Dated to First-Century
By: Brian G. Chilton, M.Div., Ph.D. | August 21, 2024
The Shroud of Turin has been the subject of intense scrutiny over the past several decades. The Turin Shroud is a linen cloth that bears authentic blood stains and a faint image of a crucified man. Because of the resemblances of the image to the torturous beatings and crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth as depicted in the Gospels, many believe the cloth to have covered the body of Jesus and to bear his imprint.
Carbon-14 Debunked
The Turin Shroud is in the news again. A 1988 Carbon-14 dating analysis suggested that the Turin Shroud belonged to medieval period. However, the Irish Star reports that researchers have now proven that the Shroud cannot be a medieval forgery.[1] The Institute of Crystallography of the National Research Council used X-ray techniques to date the material. The X-ray technique is more accurate for testing the age of linens and fabrics than Carbon-14 tests due to the contamination that comes from the handling of the material. According to Dr. Liberato De Caro, “Fabric samples are usually subject to all kinds of contamination, which cannot be completely removed from the dating specimen.”[2] Thus, Carbon-14 is not reliable when testing the age of textiles.
Actual Age of the Shroud
The researchers debunked the 1988 Carbon-14 test and showed that the Shroud is much older than originally thought. The recent test shows that the Shroud dates to the first-century. The study noted the similarities of the Shroud to an ancient cloth that also dates to the same period. The study states, “The data profiles [on the Shroud] were fully compatible with analogous measurements obtained on a linen sample whose dating, according to historical records, is AD 55‑74, found at Masada, Israel.”[3]
Researchers examined eight sections of fabric from the Shroud. The study focuses on the aging of flax cellulose and compares it to various manufacturing periods. The investigation showed that the Shroud is 2,000 years-old, and, not only that, but it also dates to the beginning of the AD era.[4] If true, this firmly places the Shroud within the time of Jesus. Additionally, the intricacies of the herringbone weave would be found with someone of the stature of Joseph of Arimathea, the man who oversaw the burial of Jesus (Matt. 27:57; Mk. 15:43; Lk. 23:50-52; and Jn. 19:38).
Conclusion
Needless to say, the more the Shroud is examined, researchers find even more reasons to accept that the Shroud may very well be the actual burial cloth of Jesus. The Shroud of Turin could be a divine stamp of historical authenticity, shouting, “Yes, the resurrection happened!” Wouldn’t it be just like God to offer so much evidence for the resurrection that He even gave us a Polaroid of the event? If the research continues to hold, the Shroud of Turin could be just that.
About the Author
Brian G. Chilton, M.Div., Ph.D.
Brian G. Chilton is the founder of Bellator Christi Ministries and the co-host of the Bellator Christi Podcast. Dr. Chilton earned a Ph.D. in the Theology and Apologetics at Liberty University (with high distinction), a M.Div. in Theology from Liberty University (with high distinction); his B.S. in Religious Studies and Philosophy from Gardner-Webb University (with honors); earned a Certificate in Christian Apologetics from Biola University, and completed Unit 1 of Clinical Pastoral Education at Wake Forest University’s School of Medicine. Dr. Chilton is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Evangelical Philosophical Society. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, working out in his home gym, and watching football. He has served in pastoral ministry for over 20 years, works as a clinical hospice chaplain, and is an Adjunct Professor of Apologetics at Carolina College of Biblical Studies (https://www.CCBS.edu).
https://www.amazon.com/Laymans-Manual-Christian-Apologetics-Essentials/dp/1532697104
https://www.amazon.com/Conversations-about-Heaven-Difficult-Questions/dp/1666762687
Notes
[1] Erin Rose Humphrey, Harry Thompson, and John O’Sullivan, “Turin Shroud relic is not ‘medieval fake’ and scientists pinpoint date of creation,” IrishStar.com (August 21, 2024), Turin Shroud relic is not ‘medieval fake’ and scientists pinpoint date of creation – Irish Star.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Erin Rose Humphrey and Harry Thompson, “Scientists discover the Shroud of Turin dates back to when Jesus was alive using X-ray techniques,” TheMirror.com (August 20, 2024), Scientists discover the Shroud of Turin dates back to when Jesus was alive using X-ray techniques – The Mirror US.
