As we enter into the Triduum on this Holy Thursday, we have our sights on Easter, to celebrate the Resurrection. In today’s fascinating episode, I sit down again with Fr. Robert Spitzer, S.J., physicist, Catholic priest, and President of the Magis Center to discuss some of the evidence and science of the Resurrection. We discuss 3 different ways to prove the resurrection of Jesus, including the Shroud of Turin, of which many believe to be the burial cloth of Jesus. Fr. Spitzer debunks many of the misconceptions of the Shroud of Turin including a break down of the 1988 carbon dating mishap. We discuss how the cloth’s image shows the wounds of Christ in great detail, and how the image on the cloth is a result of a powerful momentary flash of radiation.
This is quite a long video, but reading the transcript, it does offer a lot of information. It is great that science can back up religion.
Here is the transcript's summary, for those who do not have 90 minutes:
Father Robert Spitzer, a Jesuit priest, physicist, and philosopher, discussed the evidence and science behind the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He highlighted three ways to approach the case for Jesus Christ as the resurrected Son of God: traditional arguments, the NT Right approach, and evidence from the Shroud of Turin.
1. Traditional Arguments: Saint Paul argued that if Jesus did not rise from the dead, then the Christian faith is in vain. He pointed out that if he, as a witness, were lying about the resurrection, he would be persecuted for no reason, and if he genuinely believed in God but lied about the resurrection, he would be a purger before God, along with the other witnesses and the early Christian community.
2. NT Right Approach: NT Wright, a historian and biblical scholar, presents two main arguments. First, the rapid growth and persistence of Christianity despite its founder's humiliating death and intense persecution is historically unusual and requires a transcendent proof or action. Second, Christian beliefs regarding the resurrection marked a significant departure from second temple Judaism, particularly in emphasizing the spiritual and glorious nature of the resurrected body.
3. Shroud of Turin: This is a burial cloth allegedly used to wrap Jesus' body. According to Father Spitzer, there is scientific evidence supporting its authenticity and connection to Jesus' crucifixion. Key points include:
- Physical characteristics: The Shroud contains 372 blood stains that match Jesus' crucifixion wounds, and the image itself is a photographic negative that couldn't have been created by human intervention.
- Blood analysis: Eight studies confirm that the blood on the Shroud belongs to the same person, with the same blood type (AB) and immunoglobulins.
- Radiocarbon dating controversy: Although initially dated to around 1260-1390 AD, recent investigations revealed inconsistencies in the sampling methods, suggesting potential tampering. Therefore, this dating result is questioned.
- Other testing: Additional tests conducted by various researchers indicate that the Shroud dates back to the 1st century AD, consistent with Jesus' lifetime. These tests include Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Raman Laser Spectroscopy, Mechanical Compressibility and Tension Tests, and Wide-Angle X-Ray Scattering Tests.
- Geographical indicators: Pollen grains embedded in the Shroud provide evidence that it was in Northern Judea and Jerusalem for at least 300 years, supporting its association with Jesus' crucifixion.
