The Oviedo Cloth By Mark Guscin Less well-known than the Turin Shroud, the Oviedo Cloth is also a possible relic of Jesus' burial. This book is an original analysis of the Cloth as an object of interest in its own right, and also examines recent controversies surrounding the Shroud. ISBN-13: 9780718829858 Specifications: 186x123mm, 128pp, Paperback with b&w illustrations Price: £9.99 • US$20.00 Publication: June 1998 Order this Title Now

About this Book

Millions know of the controversy surrounding the Turin Shroud, but few in the English-speaking world have heard of the Oviedo Cloth. It too is a possible relic of Jesus’ burial, and the marks on the Shroud and the Cloth (which is supposed to have been wrapped round Jesus’ head) are consistent with each other. Yet the Oviedo Cloth has been in Spain since the beginning of the seventh century, and so provides an additional reason to doubt the carbon-dating of the Turin Shroud to the 14th century. In this book, Mark Guscin examines the claims for the authenticity of the Cloth, both scientific and historical. His treatment of the Turin Shroud and the new evidence his book provides will complement the impressive array of Shroud literature.

The closing chapter examines current historiography in religious studies, and offers a critique of the methodologies applied by those who attempt to separate the Jesus of faith from the Jesus of history. Guscin bases his argument on historical evidence, concluding that tests performed on both the Cloth and the Shroud demonstrate that science does not contradict faith, but rather, confirms it.

Believers and sceptics alike should read this book. All who want a reasoned introduction to a subject that has caused fierce disputes among scholars, and all who are concerned with the relationship between faith and fact will be enlightened by this study.

Since the exposition of the Turin Shroud ordered by the Pope in April 1998, there has been renewed and widespread interest in this intriguing topic.

Read the Full Text of Chapter One here.

Contents

List of Illustrations
Acknowlegements
Foreword

1. From the Tomb to the North of Spain
2. The Sudarium speaks for itself
3. The Sudarium before the Shroud
4. Others Speak for the Sudarium
5. Carbon 14, Again
6. The Shroud, Christianity and the Modern World

Appendix: More Recent Shroud Publications
Bibliography
Glossary
Index

Reviews and Comments

"Does an excellent job of explaining carbon dating ... Most, if not all, of the research and theories written about in the Shroud and the Oviedo Cloth are covered to some degree ... Does a good job of proving that the Cloth and the Shroud covered one and the same person ... The book is an excellent introduction to both the Turin Shroud and the Oviedo Cloth and explains complex science in a comprehensive and understandable manner."
European Christian Booksellers Association Journal

"One of the strongest parts of this book is the way the author effectively and comprehensively disposes of the findings of the Carbon 14 tests on the Shroud ... Some useful points about the divinity of Christ, as reported in the New Testament, and about Tradition ... The author also does a good demolition job on some of the zany and utterly ludicrous works which have recently appeared about the Shroud of Turin ... All in all this book is a stimulating read, I recommend it to all who are interested in the Shroud of Turin."
Orthodox Outlook, Journal of the Greek Orthodox Church

"... it will fascinate would-be believers and sceptics alike. Guscin includes a wealth of commentary on the Turin Shroud which elucidates and add to scholars' fierce arguments about the authenticity of these relics."
Catena

"...This first section of Guscin's book is absolutely invaluable, and highly important for all those who venerate the Shroud. ... This is a fascinating and immensely readable book, which should be read by all Shroud enthusiasts."
The Christian Parapsychologist

"...Guscin demolishes nonsense effectively. Within its purpose the book is good, well presented with illustrations."
Theological Book Review

"Interesting. Offers fascinating evidence."
The Furrow

About the Author

Mark Guscin is a graduate in Greek and Latin working as a translator, and a teacher of English and Latin. He is also versed in Classical Hebrew, Arabic, French, Spanish, Catalan, Nepali and Old Egyptian (Hieroglyphics). He is a member of the British Society for the Turin Shroud and the Investigation Team of the Centro Español de Sindonología. He lives in Spain and has published research on medieval literature.