Image of the Risen Christ

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Summary: Good but Imperfect Overview
Review: "Image of the Risen Christ" provides a reasonably thorough overview of the ongoing controversy surrounding the Shroud of Turin. The book suffers, however, from a few flaws. First, it would have benefited from better proof-reading and copy-editing; the text contains quite a few errors of syntax and punctuation. Second, Stevenson does not deal with some of the more persuasive arguments in favor of the "pious fraud" theory, especially the impressive photonegative image produced by Nicholas Allen, an image that has most of the characteristics of the Shroud and was produced using materials available in the Middle Ages. (Whether or not the know-how to use those materials was available at that time is another question.) Third, the last part of the book contains some Christian apologetics that undermine the dispassionate tone Stevenson is striving for. The apologetics also call the author's objectivity into some doubt; he says, for instance, that there is strong extrabiblical evidence for the Resurrection, a dubious claim that makes one wonder how loosely he defines "evidence." Personally, I would recommend Ian Wilson's "The Blood and the Shroud" over this book; Wilson is a much more polished writer, and his overview is more complete and, I think, more evenhanded. Stevenson's book does have the advantage of being slightly more recent, and Stevenson's "insider" status on the STURP team may make his views more authoritative.

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Summary: Get the Facts on the Shroud of Turin and Decide for Yourself
Review: Dr. Stevenson has done an excellent job presenting history, facts, and new scientific evidence on the Shroud of Turin. He presents the pros and cons and allows the reader to form their own opinion. And after reading this book, you will have an opinion...

Dr. Stevenson was the official spokesman for the Shroud of Turin Research Project (STURP) in the late 70s. He brings the findings of his research and expertise to this book. Having read his two former books on the Shroud back in the 80's, (The Shroud and the Controversy and Verdict on the Shroud), I was eager for a recap and an update on new research. This book will not disappoint you. Whether you have been following the research on the Shroud for years or you are new to the study, you will find this book well-written and very interesting.

Dr. Stevenson's latest book will provoke you to intense thought about Jesus, who He was, and the price He paid.

Rating:
Summary: Average book with a few interesting sections
Review: The sections of the book that cover the shroud are interesting, but too much of the book is about the internal politics and decision making of the STURP project. I purchased the book to learn more about the shroud, not the bickering surrounding it.

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Summary: Author's Comments
Review: Twenty-three years ago, I was asked to be the spokesman and editor for a research team that came to be known as STURP(The Shroud of Turin Research Project. Thus began for me an advocation that continues as fervently for me now as then: the study of the Shroud of Turin. While my first book on the subject, Verdict on the Shroud, became an international bestseller, it was not without its problems. Image of the Risen Christ is for me what I trust will prove to be a fair, balanced yet comprehensive study of all the evidence to date: both pro and con.My desire is that the reader be able to reach his/her own conclusion based upon the facts and nothing else. The publisher, Grant Jeffrey and Frontier Research Publications have an excellent reputation for their numerous scholarly works in the vast field of Biblical Studies and Apologetics. With their help, guidance and editorial expertise, I trust that this work will be for the audience a most readable yet thorough and fair presentation of what may argueably be the most exciting Archaeological find of all time. Not to mention a scientifically challenging piece of evidence in support of the Gospel record of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Dr Kenneth Stevenson, Author