CNN Searches History in New Show Finding Jesus

finding jesus

A new show called Finding Jesus: Fact, Faith, Forgery has premiered on CNN, and it is already getting a fair amount of attention for its subject material.

Like many other shows that have explored the factual side of the life of Jesus, the key components of the show focus on using science and religious experts to give a more accurate depiction of the religious figure. One particularly interesting aspect of the show is the expert analysis of the Shroud of Turin, a cloth that was supposedly wrapped around the body of Jesus after his death by crucifixion.

The Finding Jesus Setting

Each episode of the show Finding Jesus focuses upon a different aspect of the life of Jesus that is controversial and often debated among theologians and scientists. Each episode of the show lasts an hour and is featured on Sunday nights. Among some of the topics that have been discussed on the show are the Shroud of Turin, the presence of Mary Magdalene, the science behind the method of crucifixion that was inflicted upon Jesus, and even Judas.

The Shroud Of Turin

Perhaps one of the most famous artifacts that have been related to the death of Jesus is the Shroud of Turin. Many people believe that this cloth was wrapped around the body of Jesus after he had died. The cloth itself appears to show the features of an individual who has suffered injuries that are consistent with acts of violence during crucifixion, the method of execution that killed Jesus.

Experts on the television program have stated that carbon dating techniques have shown that the shroud was dated to about 1200-1300 AD, over a millennium after Jesus’ execution. The show has presented the various points of evidence on the shroud and hold that it is a medieval forgery, though there is no consensus on how the image was imbued in the cloth.

Crucifixion

Another interesting aspect of the show is dedicated to attempting to settle how Jesus was crucified. While many depictions show that Jesus was nailed through the hands, the show investigates the feasibility of the hands to bear the body’s weight. They have instead suggested that Jesus was, in fact, nailed through the wrists. This is considered even more interesting in light of the fact that the Shroud of Turin depicts wounds to the wrist and not the palms.

Upcoming Topics

There are many topics that are set to be explored in depth on Finding Jesus: Fact, Faith, Forgery. Two of the topics that are garnering the greatest following are those regarding Mary Magdalene and her presence at the empty tomb of Jesus and Judas, the man who betrayed him to his death. The show has created a mixture of controversy and interest from its viewers, who are intrigued by the theological and scientific explanations for such an enigmatic figure.

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