The Shroud: Evangelism or Artifact?

In this episode of The Backstory on the Shroud of Turin, Guy R. Powell interviews lawyer and Shroud researcher William Red, who applies legal reasoning to the centuries-old mystery of the Shroud.William explains how courtroom standards reasonable suspicion, balance of probabilities, and beyond reasonable doubt can be applied to Shroud evidence. He demonstrates why the 1988 Carbon 14 dating, flawed by breaches in protocol and limited sampling, would be inadmissible in court. Instead, he highlights stronger evidence:Pollen unique to JerusalemDust samples from crucifixion-related areasBlood serum halos around woundsForensic details confirming crucifixion practicesHe contrasts absurd theories, like a Da Vinci forgery, against overwhelming corroborative science. Through a legal lens, the evidence tips the scales toward authenticity, pointing to a first-century origin.This discussion bridges law, science, and faith, asking: what verdict would you render if you were the juror?Whether you’re a believer, skeptic, or curious investigator, William’s perspective reframes the Shroud as more than an artifact—it becomes a witness to the Resurrection.Click here to view the video: https://youtu.be/t-YWL2ZmWl0

In this episode of The Backstory on the Shroud of Turin, Bob Bird, an expert on the Shroud and longtime researcher, discusses its historical significance. Bird explains how the Shroud may have been more than just a relic—it could have served as a powerful evangelistic tool for early Christians, aiding in spreading the message of Jesus' Resurrection. Bird recounts his first exposure to the Shroud, a key moment in his faith and research journey.He critically examines the 1988 Carbon 14 dating, which cast doubt on the Shroud's authenticity, offering a fresh perspective on why those conclusions might have been flawed. He also explores the Shroud's possible journey to Odessa, how early Christian texts reference it, and the mystery of its early history.As Bird puts it, “The Shroud is a symbol of Christ’s passion and resurrection, and its history is as intricate as the faith it represents.” Whether you are a believer or skeptic, this episode provides valuable insights into one of Christianity’s most compelling artifacts.Click here to view the video

In this episode of The Backstory on the Shroud of Turin, host Guy Powell interviews Myra Kahn Adams, Executive Director of the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit and a featured speaker at the Shroud 2025 Conference.Myra traces her journey from a moving encounter with a crucifix modeled on the Shroud to seeing the actual cloth twice—in 2010 and 2015. She shares how her Jewish upbringing and later conversion to Catholicism gave her a unique lens through which to understand the power of the Shroud. Her moving analogy to Doubting Thomas paints the Shroud as a “proof for our time”—a visual testimony to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ for those who need evidence to believe.She also offers a preview of major news to be announced at the conference regarding the Shroud exhibit and its potential future home in Washington, D.C.From science to mystery to faith, this conversation bridges the intellectual and spiritual power of the Shroud of Turin.Click here to view the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdoMpVQ6A5M

In this episode of The Backstory on the Shroud of Turin, host Guy Powell interviews Janis Winchester—a longtime Shroud researcher, speaker, and member of the Shroud 2025 Conference committee. Janis shares how her initial curiosity transformed into a faith-deepening mission to understand the Shroud’s image, science, and message.Her exposure to top experts like Kevin Moran and Barry Schwortz and her use of VP8 image analysis helped her see what she describes as “unseen evidence”—particularly the blood from the lance wound and the peaceful expression on the face of the man in the cloth. These elements led her to a deep conviction: the Shroud is not just a mystery of history, but a mirror of the Gospels and the love of Jesus Christ.In her upcoming presentation at the Shroud 2025 Conference, Janis will guide attendees through the physical, historical, and scriptural evidence of the Shroud’s authenticity—encouraging others to come to their own conclusions while drawing closer to the peace of God.Click here to view the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjeflZANnFQ

What if science could support faith?In this gripping episode of The Backstory on the Shroud of Turin, host Guy R. Powell interviews Bob Rucker, a veteran nuclear engineer who has spent over a decade applying advanced scientific methods to the most studied relic in Christianity: the Shroud of Turin.Rucker presents a comprehensive radiation-based theory of image formation and carbon date discrepancy. By simulating the behavior of neutrons and protons in a tomb environment, he shows how the Resurrection itself could have generated the very evidence we now study.He covers:·      The four evidences from the 1988 carbon dating that standard explanations cannot fully address·      Why protons and neutrons released in a burst of radiation could form the image and skew the dating·      His rebuttal to skeptics who claim faith doesn't need relics—and why we should care anyway·      The possible link to the Sudarium of Oviedo·      The deep theological implications of scientific evidence for Jesus’s ResurrectionWhether you’re a scientist, theologian, or simply curious, this episode offers a profound look into how God may be using the tools of science to strengthen faith.🎥 Click here to view the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fc8K2Y05ZOU

·      What if a single piece of cloth could ignite boldness in your faith? In this episode of The Backstory on the Shroud of Turin, host Guy R. Powell interviews Jim Bertrand, an acclaimed speaker who has delivered over 350 presentations on the Shroud across 30 states. But Jim’s method is unique: he prays for each attendee for nine days before every talk.Jim explains the vital distinction that blood on the Shroud was laid down first—on Good Friday—and the image appeared later—perhaps on Easter Sunday. This detail, verified through x-rays in 1978, powerfully supports the claim that the Shroud may have captured the moment of Resurrection.He also addresses a common objection: “I don’t need relics for my faith.” Jim offers a powerful response—if the Shroud is authentic and God gave it to us, our reaction shouldn’t be indifference. It should be gratitude, evangelization, and deeper love for Jesus Christ.Whether you’re curious, skeptical, or faithful, Jim Bertrand’s message is one that bridges science and spirituality—and strengthens belief.🎥 Click here to view the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-SnlOa8LOQ

In this episode of The Backstory on the Shroud of Turin, host Guy R. Powell welcomes Russ Breault, long-time Shroud of Turin researcher and speaker, to share his deep insights into the cloth known as the burial shroud of Jesus Christ.Russ introduces “Seven Secrets of the Sacred Shroud”—mysteries that are often glossed over in typical presentations. These include hidden Gospel allusions, the visual parable nature of the Shroud, and overlooked historical clues like the water stains that may point to its true origin. He addresses common Protestant objections and the idea that faith doesn’t require a relic—while asserting that some may be reached precisely through it.The conversation also touches on how the Shroud confronts us with the brutal reality of crucifixion, and thus with the immense price paid for humanity’s sins. Russ reminds us: “There’s not a sin He can’t forgive.”If you've ever wondered whether relics matter, or what the Shroud of Turin truly says about the life and death of Jesus Christ, this episode is for you.🎥 Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/7gAhEpKT9tg

In this episode of The Backstory on the Shroud of Turin, host Guy Powell interviews retired Protestant pastor and researcher Larry Stalley. Together, they explore a lesser-known angle of Shroud studies: its potential biblical references.Larry believes that multiple authors of the New Testament—including Matthew, John, Paul, and the author of Hebrews—offer cryptic yet intentional clues about the Shroud of Turin. These clues, Larry suggests, were veiled deliberately due to the early Church’s need for secrecy amidst persecution.Highlights of this episode include:·      Why John Calvin rejected the Shroud—and why that view may fall short·      The significance of the “Sign of Jonah” and how it may point to the Shroud·      A theological response to “blind faith” vs. evidence-based belief·      How the Shroud helped convert a young atheist into a believer·      How visualizing Christ’s wounds through the Shroud deepens faith and devotionWhether you’re deeply familiar with the Shroud or just beginning to explore it, Larry’s unique biblical perspective opens a fascinating new dimension in this ongoing mystery.🎥 Click here to view the video: https://youtu.be/gH8BpTTpq7I

In this captivating episode of The Backstory on the Shroud of Turin, host Guy R. Powell sits down with biblical scholar Larry Stalley to ask: Is the Shroud of Turin the mysterious “Sign of Jonah” that Jesus referenced in Matthew’s Gospel?Stalley introduces listeners to his fascinating research, outlined in his new book Divine Testimony for the Resurrection, and explores how cryptic references in Matthew, Hebrews, and the letters of John may point to knowledge of the Shroud in the early Church. They dive deep into the typology of Jonah’s three days in the belly of the sea monster and draw a parallel to Christ’s three days in the tomb wrapped in the linen burial cloth—the Shroud.Discover how “the discipline of the secret” might explain why the Gospel writers didn’t openly refer to the image on the Shroud, and how this could serve as God's own visual testimony to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.This episode will enrich your faith and deepen your understanding of biblical prophecy and relics. Don't miss this deep theological dive with Larry Stalley.👉 Click here to view the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaPaUzioNjA

In this episode of The Backstory on the Shroud of Turin, host Guy Powell speaks with veteran Shroud researcher and blogger Stephen Jones, who shares a powerful and controversial theory: that the Shroud’s infamous 1988 carbon dating may have been hacked.Jones proposes that Cold War actors, possibly the KGB, altered the data via manipulation of the computer systems controlling the dating process. Drawing from his background in hospital IT and biblical science, Jones explains how the machines used were identical and vulnerable, how the date of 1325 AD was too “perfect,” and why this deserves a serious scientific reconsideration.He also reflects on how his Christian journey intersected with this remarkable artifact and discusses early depictions of Christ that mirror the face on the Shroud. Finally, he discusses how dating the pollen on the Shroud may offer future breakthroughs.Whether you're a believer, skeptic, or somewhere in between, this episode delivers a fascinating blend of science, faith, and digital forensics.Click here to view the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJHkMIsNBR0