Exploring the origins of Christianity, this book delves into the life of a first-century Jewish figure who became a pivotal religious leader. It examines the historical and cultural context of his time, shedding light on how his teachings and actions resonated with diverse communities. The narrative uncovers the transformative impact of his message, the challenges he faced, and the eventual establishment of a new faith that would spread across the globe, reshaping spiritual beliefs and practices.
Exploring a pivotal mystery within Christianity, this book delves into the historical and theological implications surrounding the resurrection of Jesus. The author presents a compelling argument that intertwines art, archaeology, and religious history, offering fresh insights that challenge conventional beliefs. Through meticulous research, the narrative unveils how a significant artifact could hold the key to understanding the origins and evolution of Christian faith, making it a thought-provoking read for both skeptics and believers.
"The birth of Christianity, nearly 2000 years ago, has shaped the whole course of human history. Yet historians still cannot explain how it all really began. What made Jesus's followers claim to have seen him alive again, three days after his crucifixion? Why did Christianity take off so quickly? This extraordinary book, based on seven years of secret research, finally provides the answer. And it lies with an enigmatic relic long assumed to be a fake: the Shroud of Turin. With historical detective work and cutting-edge scientific research, art historian Thomas de Wesselow has discovered that Jesus's followers did see something at the tomb. They saw something real but out of the ordinary - something that seemed like a miracle. It was the burial cloth of Jesus, stained with his body image. This ancient marvel was hailed as a sign of the Resurrection, and kick-started the Christian faith. The Sign details conclusive evidence that the Shroud of Turin is authentic, showing that the faint image on the cloth was formed naturally through a rare chemical reaction. It then explains how this revelation solves multiple puzzles of religious history: for example, the Gospel reports of the appearances of the Risen Christ are clearly based on early viewings of the Shroud"--Publisher description
Die Auferstehung Jesu Christi von den Toten, die das Christentum an Ostern in seinem zentralen Glaubensfest feiert, ist eines der großen Mysterien der Weltreligionen. Der Kunsthistoriker Thomas de Wesselow folgt den Interpretationen der Ereignisse nach der Grablegung und stellt sie in einen bisher nicht berücksichtigten Zusammenhang mit einem weiteren geheimnisumwitterten Zeugnis christlichen Glaubens: dem Turiner Grabtuch. Selbst innerhalb der katholischen Kirche gilt diese im 14. Jahrhundert erstmals bezeugte Reliquie als umstritten. Sieben Jahre hat de Wesselow sich mit dem Grabtuch beschäftigt, hat Erkenntnisse zusammengetragen, die erst mit Hilfe moderner Untersuchungsverfahren gewonnen werden konnten. Das Fazit der Forschung: Das Turiner Grabtuch ist echt – und es liefert den Schlüssel zum Verständnis eines der größten Geheimnisse der Menschheitsgeschichte.
Christianity was born nearly two thousand years ago in ancient Palestine. It has shaped the course of human history. Yet historians still cannot say how it really began. How did a first-century Jew called Jesus manage to spark a new religion? It is one of the biggest and most profound of all historical mysteries. This extraordinary book finally provides a convincing answer. Traditionally, the birth of Christianity has been explained via the miracle of the Resurrection. After Jesus died he was raised from the dead by God and appeared to his disciples, telling them to spread the gospel. Once they saw the Risen Jesus, nothing could shake their belief. Within a few generations Christianity had spread throughout the Middle East and Europe; within a few centuries it had taken over much of the world. But historians have been unable to account for Christianity’s remarkable success without the Resurrection to spark it. If no one really saw the Risen Jesus, how were his followers convinced that he was their immortal Messiah? Art historian Thomas de Wesselow has spent the last seven years deducing the answer to this puzzle, and in doing so he has pieced together an entirely new picture of the birth of Christianity. Reassessing a familiar but misunderstood historical source and reinterpreting many biblical passages, de Wesselow shows that the solution has been staring us in the face for more than a century. The Shroud of Turin, widely thought to be a fake, is in fact authentic. And it holds the key to the greatest mystery in human history.
