Relics of the Christ

by Joe Nickell

Religious relics, defined as "either portions of or objects connected with the body of a saint or other holy person," are among the most revered items in the world. Christian relics such as the Holy Grail, the True Cross, and the Lance of Longinus are also the source of limitless controversy. Such items have incited people to bloodshed and, some say, have been a source of miracles. Relics inspire fear and hope among the faithful and yet are a perennial target for skeptics, both secular and Christian. To research the authenticity of numerous Christian relics, Joe Nickell takes a scientific approach to a field of study all too often tainted by premature conclusions. In this volume, Nickell investigates such renowned relics as the Shroud of Turin, the multiple heads of John the Baptist, and the supposedly incorruptible corpses of saints, first examining the available evidence and documented history of each item. From accounts of true believers to the testimony of the relics' alleged fabricators, Nickell then presents all sides of each story, allowing the evidence to speak for itself. For each relic, Nickell evaluates both the corroborating and contradictory bodies of evidence and explores whether the relic and attributed miracles can be reconstructed. In addition to his own experiments, Nickell presents findings from the world's top scientists and historians regarding these controversial objects of reverence and ire, explaining the circumstances under which each case was examined. Radiocarbon dating and tests to determine the validity of substances such as blood or patina indicate a variety of possible origins. Nickell even reveals some of the techniques used to create archaeological forgeries and explains how investigators have exposed them. Each relic is a mystery to be solved; guided by the maxim, "extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof," Nickell seeks only the truth.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Christianity, History

232 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Joe Nickell was an American skeptic and investigator of the paranormal.
Nickell was a senior research fellow for the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and wrote regularly for their journal, Skeptical Inquirer. He was also an associate dean of the Center for Inquiry Institute. He was the author or editor of over 30 books.
Among his career highlights, Nickell helped expose the James Maybrick "Jack the Ripper Diary" as a hoax. In 2002, Nickell was one of a number of experts asked by scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. to evaluate the authenticity of the manuscript of Hannah Crafts' The Bondwoman's Narrative (1853–1860), possibly the first novel by an African-American woman. At the request of document dealer and historian Seth Keller, Nickell analyzed documentation in the dispute over the authorship of "The Night Before Christmas", ultimately supporting the Clement Clarke Moore claim.

Reviews

[Jc · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very readable introduction to the study of christian reliquary. A central focus of the book is the "Shroud" of Turin, but many other christian relics are discussed as well. The perspective is that of a skeptic who believes that any claims to reliquary need to be examined thoroughly and objectively.

[Sarah - All The Book Blog Names Are Taken · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first the tone of the book implied to me a general scorn for those who believe in Jesus. I did not care for that, as I do believe that being a Christian and being rational are not mutually exclusive. I appreciate the author's final statements then, saying that just because we don't have any true relics that were connected to Jesus, doesn't mean he never existed. We know he did, as there are ancient non-Christian texts He shows up in.

Much of the book is dedicated to the Shroud of Turin. Though I do believe, and the evidence shows, it is a forgery, I still find it a fascinating piece of art and hope to see it in person some day.

[Eric Vanden Eykel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, a truly helpful book that covers a lot of ground in not a lot of space. It’s also an occasionally odd book, especially for a university press. The author struggles at points with historical methodology, especially when it relates to biblical studies. And while I agree with the assessment that pretty much all of the relics discussed in its pages are “fake,” the author’s dismissive tone becomes quite tedious after a while.

[Spook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nickell does an excellent job investigating a sizable portion of famous relics, including the infamous Shroud of Turing. His approach is unhampered by ideology other than a strong preference for the verifiable facts.

I had no idea that there were even that many famous relics to investigate in the first place, let alone how absurd their histories and provenance often are.

A bit dry, but that's to be expected.