Relics of the ChristReligious relics, defined as Òeither portions of or objects connected with the body of a saint or other holy person,Ó are among the most revered items in the world. Christian relics such as the Holy Grail, the True Cross, and the Lance of Longinus are also the source of limitless controversy. Such items have incited people to bloodshed and, some say, have been a source of miracles. Relics inspire fear and hope among the faithful and yet are a perennial target for skeptics, both secular and Christian. To research the authenticity of numerous Christian relics, Joe Nickell takes a scientific approach to a field of study all too often tainted by premature conclusions. In this volume, Nickell investigates such renowned relics as the Shroud of Turin, the multiple heads of John the Baptist, and the supposedly incorruptible corpses of saints, first examining the available evidence and documented history of each item. From accounts of true believers to the testimony of the relicsÕ alleged fabricators, Nickell then presents all sides of each story, allowing the evidence to speak for itself. For each relic, Nickell evaluates both the corroborating and contradictory bodies of evidence and explores whether the relic and attributed miracles can be reconstructed. In addition to his own experiments, Nickell presents findings from the worldÕs top scientists and historians regarding these controversial objects of reverence and ire, explaining the circumstances under which each case was examined. Radiocarbon dating and tests to determine the validity of substances such as blood or patina indicate a variety of possible origins. Nickell even reveals some of the techniques used to create archaeological forgeries and explains how investigators have exposed them. Each relic is a mystery to be solved; guided by the maxim, Òextraordinary claims require extraordinary proof,Ó Nickell seeks only the truth. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 19
Page 6
... about Elijah and Elisha , the prophets who did miracles , which excited many of the pious people of that time . Lüdemann ( 2001 , 691-92 ) continues : Jesus had experienced great success in Galilee . The crowds 6 RELICS OF THE CHRIST.
... about Elijah and Elisha , the prophets who did miracles , which excited many of the pious people of that time . Lüdemann ( 2001 , 691-92 ) continues : Jesus had experienced great success in Galilee . The crowds 6 RELICS OF THE CHRIST.
Page 13
... continue to reside in his body and can be tapped by any believer who in some way makes contact with his corporeal shrine . Mere proximity is enough : the medieval pilgrim was satisfied if he could but gaze on the tomb of his cult ...
... continue to reside in his body and can be tapped by any believer who in some way makes contact with his corporeal shrine . Mere proximity is enough : the medieval pilgrim was satisfied if he could but gaze on the tomb of his cult ...
Page 20
... skull ( Rogo 1982 , 192 ) . Relic veneration continues within Catholic and Orthodox Chris- tianity , but it was rejected by the Protestant Reformation and by Figure 1.3 . Ornate reliquary of the reputed blood of 20 RELICS OF THE CHRIST.
... skull ( Rogo 1982 , 192 ) . Relic veneration continues within Catholic and Orthodox Chris- tianity , but it was rejected by the Protestant Reformation and by Figure 1.3 . Ornate reliquary of the reputed blood of 20 RELICS OF THE CHRIST.
Page 24
... continue on the grounds that , even if a relic is in fact spurious , God is not dishonored by an error made in good faith ; besides , it is difficult to reach a final verdict in the case of many relics . And , it 24 RELICS OF THE CHRIST 24.
... continue on the grounds that , even if a relic is in fact spurious , God is not dishonored by an error made in good faith ; besides , it is difficult to reach a final verdict in the case of many relics . And , it 24 RELICS OF THE CHRIST 24.
Page 36
... continue unknown until they were allegedly revealed nearly eight centuries later . The Penguin Dictionary of Saints concludes that there is " no evidence whatever as to the identity of the relics " supposedly discovered in ninth ...
... continue unknown until they were allegedly revealed nearly eight centuries later . The Penguin Dictionary of Saints concludes that there is " no evidence whatever as to the identity of the relics " supposedly discovered in ninth ...
Contents
1 | |
13 | |
26 | |
3 The Holy Grail | 50 |
4 SelfPortraits of Jesus | 67 |
5 The True Cross | 77 |
6 Other Crucifixion Relics | 96 |
7 Holy Shrouds | 111 |
9 Photograph of Christ | 139 |
10 The Sudarium of Oviedo | 154 |
11 Blood of Jesus | 167 |
12 The James Ossuary | 180 |
Conclusion | 191 |
References | 193 |
Index | 201 |
8 The Shroud of Turin | 122 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
According alleged allegedly altar ancient appeared artist authenticity author's collection Basilica bishop body bones burial Cathedral century chalice chapel chapter Christ Christian church claimed Constantine Constantinople Craveri crucified Crucifixion Crusades Cruz d'Arcis Da Vinci Code depicted discovered Encyclopaedia evidence expert faith fake figure forensic forgery France garment genuine Gospel Guscin Helena Holy Blood Holy Grail Holy Lance Holy Shroud image of Edessa imprinted inscription investigation James ossuary Januarius Jerusalem Jesus Jewish John Joseph King lance later Lazarus legend linen cloth Lirey Luke Mark Matthew McCrone medieval miraculous nails Nickell Oviedo cloth painted patina photo by author piece pilgrims pious placed pollen Priory of Sion quoted radiocarbon relics reliquary reported reportedly reputed Roman Rome saints samples Shroud of Turin sindon Skeptical Inquirer Spear of Destiny story STURP sudarium sudarium of Oviedo supposedly Thiede and d'Ancona tion Titulus tomb True Cross veneration Veronica Vinci Code Whanger Wilson
Popular passages
Page 111 - And after this Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave.
Page 14 - God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.
Page 14 - He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; and he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah?
Page 15 - And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men ; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha : and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha. he revived, and stood up on his feet.
Page 15 - And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul : so that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
Page 111 - Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.
Page 99 - And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
Page 14 - Elijah ? and when he also had smitten the waters they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.