What if the most studied archaeological object in human history is a snapshot in time of the resurrection of Jesus Christ? That’s the conclusion serious scientists, even atheists, Jews, and agnostics, have been quietly arriving at for decades.

In 2023, Father Andrew Dalton joined Matt Fradd on Pints with Aquinas for one of the most fascinating conversations you’ll ever hear.

The object is called the Shroud of Turin. It is a linen cloth bearing the faint image of a crucified man that many believe is the burial cloth of Jesus. The claim is that the momemt of the resurrection generated a burst of energy that left the image of Christ on the cloth. The image defies every alternative explanation. Scientists have ruled out paint, dye, scorching, rubbing, and medieval photography. The image penetrates the linen to a depth of 200–500 nanometers, roughly 1/16th the width of a human hair, on one side only, leaving zero trace on the other. No known technology, ancient or modern, can reproduce it. Scientists have tried.

The body that created the image on the Shroud was pressed against it for 30 to 36 hours… and then wasn’t. The bloodstains on the wrists show a process called fibrinolysis, which acts as a biological clock. Scientists can calculate from that clock how long the body was in contact with the cloth. The 30–36 hour window matches the timeline of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

Researchers have collected soil and pollen traces on the Shroud which contain a rare crystalline structure called travertine aragonite. One geologist said it matches the ground of Jerusalem “like a fingerprint.”

The blood on the Shroud was there before the image. Wherever there is a bloodstain, there is no body image underneath it. The blood came first and protected those fibers. Any forger would have drawn the body first and added blood on top, but the Shroud works in reverse. It is difficult to imagine a forger manufacturing a fake in that order.

There are approximately 360 scourge marks, and scientists can determine that two men inflicted them. By mapping the arc and angle of each mark, they concluded that two individuals were whipping simultaneously, one on each side, pivoting from fixed points. They can even determine that one man was measurably taller than the other. That level of forensic detail embedded in a supposed medieval forgery is extraordinarily difficult to explain.

The thumbs of the crucified man are invisible, and that is anatomically correct. For centuries this puzzled researchers. Then a French surgeon named Pierre Barbet discovered through cadaver experiments that a nail driven through the location shown on the Shroud would sever the median nerve, causing the thumb to contract beneath the palm. No medieval artist knew this. The Shroud got it right centuries before anyone understood why.

Each of these facts is remarkable on its own. Together, they point to the same conclusion Father Dalton reached: whatever produced this image knew exactly what crucifixion does to a human body.

The 1988 carbon dating that “debunked” the Shroud was itself later challenged. In 2017, the same journal that published the medieval dating reconsidered key aspects of the methodology and retracted its conclusions. The sample used had come from a repaired corner of the cloth, likely from a later period, which likely skewed the results.

Father Dalton’s summary: “The Shroud is the natural effect of a supernatural event.”

He points to an often overlooked detail in the resurrection account in the Gospel of John:

“So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.”

Why does Saint John place such emphasis on the linen cloths in a passage about the resurrection? As Father Dalton puts it, there are many other details readers might expect, yet John focuses on what appears to be “dirty laundry.” Why? What did the disciple see that made him believe?

The four Gospels are four witnesses to the resurrection. The Shroud of Turin may be the fifth, the silent one that was there when no one else was.

Happy Easter. Christus Resurrexit.

WATCH: New Evidence for the Shroud of Turin with Fr. Andrew Dalton (Pints with Aquinas)

⭐️ 1. Jeremiah Johnston - Codex Vaticanus, Book of Enoch, Shroud of Turin, Resurrection of Jesus

The Shawn Ryan Show  •  174 min

⭐️ 2. The Earthquake of the Resurrection

Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons  •  15 min

⭐️ 3. Yes, the Resurrection IS a Historical Fact | Ft. Dr. Trent Dougherty | Last Call Ep. 8

Pints With Aquinas  •  41 min

⭐️ 4. Did Jesus REALLY Rise from the Dead? TOP 4 Reasons to Believe with Dr. Jeremiah J. Johnston

I Don't Have Enough FAITH to Be an ATHEIST  •  50 min

⭐️ 5. BONUS | The Facts Confirm Jesus’ Resurrection. Here’s the Reason People Still Deny It | Wes Huff

Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey  •  26 min

 CULTURE

1. #293 Jeremiah Johnston - Codex Vaticanus, Book of Enoch and the Resurrection of Jesus

 The Shawn Ryan Show

Why Listen: This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the intersection of faith and history. Johnston's insights challenge skeptics and inspire believers.

Dr. Jeremiah Johnston presents compelling evidence for the resurrection of Jesus, intertwining archaeological findings with theological insights. His discussion spans from the Shroud of Turin to the Codex Vaticanus, challenging skeptics and reinforcing the historical credibility of Christian faith.

 CATHOLIC

2. The Earthquake of the Resurrection

 Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons

Why Listen: Bishop Barron's insights provide a profound understanding of the resurrection's significance, making this episode essential for anyone seeking to deepen their faith.

Bishop Robert Barron emphasizes the resurrection of Jesus as the pivotal event of Christianity, asserting that without it, faith is meaningless. He draws parallels between the resurrection and earthquakes, suggesting that both can shake our understanding and expectations, ultimately leading to a transformative experience of faith.

 RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY

3. Yes, the Resurrection IS a Historical Fact | Ft. Dr. Trent Dougherty

 Pints With Aquinas

Why Listen: This episode is a treasure trove of historical evidence that strengthens the case for the resurrection, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of faith and reason.

Philosopher Dr. Trent Dougherty joins to present compelling historical evidence supporting the resurrection of Jesus Christ, arguing that it is not merely a matter of faith but a defensible historical fact. Through the framework of the 'Three E's'—Empty Tomb, Eyewitnesses, and Early Creeds—he provides a rational basis for belief that resonates with both secular scholars and believers alike.

 CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS

4. Did Jesus REALLY Rise from the Dead? TOP 4 Reasons to Believe with Dr. Jeremiah J. Johnston

 I Don't Have Enough FAITH to Be an ATHEIST

Why Listen: This episode provides a robust defense of the resurrection, making it essential for anyone looking to understand its significance in Christianity.

Dr. Jeremiah J. Johnston joins Frank Turek to explore the pivotal question of Jesus' resurrection, presenting compelling evidence that supports its historicity. The discussion delves into the implications of the resurrection for Christian faith and society, while addressing common misconceptions and the importance of understanding this foundational event.

 HISTORY 

5. The Facts Confirm Jesus’ Resurrection. Here’s the Reason People Still Deny It | Wes Huff

 Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey

Why Listen: This episode tackles common skeptic objections head-on, making it a valuable resource for anyone grappling with doubts about the resurrection.

Wes Huff joins Allie Beth Stuckey for a compelling discussion on the historical evidence supporting the resurrection of Jesus, addressing common skeptic objections and emphasizing its significance for believers. The conversation highlights the transformative power of the resurrection and its implications for faith, particularly during the Easter season.