Oviedo Cloth, the (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: carbon dating, Turin Shroud, Monsignor Ricci, Centro Español de Sindonología (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Thousands know 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 on the Cloth (which is thought to have been wrapped around Jesus' head) are consistent with each other. Yet the Oviedo Cloth has been in its current home in he cathedral town of Oviedo, in northern Spain, since the eleventh century, so there is additional reason to doubt the carbon-dating of the Turin Shroud to the fourteenth century.

The author examines the claims for the authenticity of the Cloth, both scientific and historical. His treatment of the Turin Shroud is in relation to the Cloth and the new evidence which it provides. The closing chapter sets out the implications of these findings for the Church today, and answers some of the sensational claims made in the more excitable Shroud books of the last few years. The argument is always based on historical foundations, rather than religious ones, thus avoiding the danger of influence from prior convictions.

This book will interest all who want a reasoned introduction to a subject which has caused fierce disputes among scholars, and all who are concerned with the relationship of faith and fact will be enlightened by this study.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Lutterworth Press (June 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718829859
• ISBN-13: 978-0718829858
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 4.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,430,140 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Introducing a little known relic from the burial of Jesus of Nazareth, August 13, 2005

By	David V. (Capitol District area, NY) - See all my reviews

A petite, short paperback written by a Brit and published by a British press which serves as the earliest specific introduction of English-speakers to a supposed relic from the burial of Jesus of Nazareth. This relic is a piece of linen about the size of a face towel and was presumably used to cover the face of the expired Jesus while still on the cross and until his arrival at the burial site. Housed in the Cathedral of San Salvador in Oviedo, Spain, the so-called "Sudarium" has a more clearly traceable history than the Shroud of Turin, with the bodily fluid stains of which the stains on the Spanish relic show remarkable convergence. The book includes some illustrations, and outlines historical and scientific research on the Sudarium, discussing how this historical research casts doubt on the accuracy of the latest carbon dating of the Shroud of Turin. Written unevenly if with conviction, and with less than the best editing, it is marred by prejudicial statements against the doctrine and piety of the Roman Catholic Church, precisely the Church whose doctrine and piety has been and continues to be responsible for preserving the relics which have so engaged the author's interest and aroused his defense!

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The truth of science, September 3, 2000

By	Louis R. Velasquez "Author; Artist" (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Guscin's book is clearly written and understandable. It is arranged in good sequence. The information is credible. I accept that no matter how many facts are found out about the sudarium and or the shroud, there will always be persons who cannot and will not accept anything that indicates a supernatural act/ intervention. Yet, in this case, science is being used by many persons and groups to support the belief that both cloths are a testament to a historical fact - the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. Guscin's book is a valuable addition to the large amount of work being done to further demonstrate the truth, the historical facts, and yes-the divine intervention of our natural laws of physics. Science is supporting these claims. I highly recommend this book to those who trust the carbon dating process as being an infallible scientific test - which has been proven - scientifically - that it is not. I thank Mr. Guscion for his labors in bringing this information to us= Louis VElasquez

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Worth reading - but incorrectly titled, October 8, 2004

By	A. Khan (New Malden, Surrey United Kingdom) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book's title suggests a book dedicated to the subject of the Oviedo cloth - and for large portings of the book this is exactly what you get. But from the outset the author seems determined to attack head on any comments / theories that have been derived from the Shroud of Turin that go against his beliefs and rubbish them. Thus his text bites off more than it can chew. He tries dismissing the work of Kersten, and the trio that wrote "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" with non-existant arguments and very dismissive language.

Large parts of the book are dedicated to the discussion of the Shroud of Turin rather than the Oviedo cloth. This may be seen by many as a bonus, rather than a flaw, but then its title should have reflected this.

Parts of the text are so heavily involved with the Bible and Christianity, and a defence of it, that i feel the book would be beter titled "Why i am a Christian"! The author attacks authors for drawing conclusions from evidence that fits a certain hypothesis they are trying to push, yet he does the exact same thing when stating that the plural fluids on the cloth are a sure sign of death.

The part that detracted from the decent scholarship of this book was the section in which the author details what would have been needed for a forger to forge the Shroud of Turin. The sarcastic tone of the 5 page description is woeful. The points have already been made and the author's commentary does not add value to his arguments.

Overall, however, this book contains an excellent description and summary of the colelctive evidence of the Shroud and the Oveido cloth. The last chapter tries to do too much and instead loses the focus, and objectivity of the earlier chapters. Nonetheless its a worthy read and something that anyone interested in the Shroud of Turin must read.

3/5