What Do The Scriptures Teach About The Shroud Of Turin? Hi, Mike, I love your website. I have learned a lot from you and am hungry for more. I was wondering if there might be any scripture on the shroud of Turin. There seems to be so much controversy about it. What do you think of it? Thanks, T____ Hi T____, Thank you for your question. You ask if there is any scripture about the shroud of Turin? As a matter of fact there is a scripture which relates to the shroud of Turin and any other such relic. Here is that verse: Matt 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: "There shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:" That verse alone should cause anyone familiar with scripture to question the need for any relic. But since we cannot base doctrine upon any single verse of scripture, we will give another verse that corroborates that verse: Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. And another: John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and [yet] have believed. How the shroud was made and how old it is, is completely irrelevant to those who do not need to see to believe. The very fact that so many look to the shroud as being of any significance regarding a witness for Christ demonstrates how little regard most people have for the words of Christ who said " there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:" This principle covers supernatural phenomenon such as stigmata, and for that matter supernatural healing. The beast will deceive "by means of the miracles he has been given the power to perform before men:" Rev 13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by [the means of] those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. These miracles are part of the "many good works" which many will present in their defense for not "doing what I say... in that day." Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? The answer from many of those who will hear that question is 'Well, you answered my prayer and healed those for whom I prayed,' but the answer will still be, "I never knew you:" Matt 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matt 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? Matt 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. A relic or an outward physical healing in no way changes the heart. So long as we have any hatred or any pride or any idols of our hearts, we too will hear those dreaded words: "I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." I hope this has given you the relevant scriptures which concern the shroud of Turin and all other so-called "Christian relics." If the ark of Noah or the ark of the covenant were discovered, it would be totally irrelevant to the true Christian, whose faith is not in signs or wonders but in "the things which I say." Mike