The Jesus Relics: From the Holy Grail to the Turin Shroud

The Holy Grail, the Lance of Longinus, and the True Cross are some of the most revered artifacts in the world today. These Christian relics are also a source of limitless controversy. They have incited bloodshed and are claimed to be a source of miracles. They inspire fear and hope among the faithful, and yet are a perennial target for skeptics, both Christian and secular. This study examines the authenticity of numerous Christian relics, investigating not only the objects themselves, but also the methods that were used to substantiate these proposed treasures. The perennial debate over the authenticity of such relics as the Shroud of Turin, the cross on which Christ was crucified, and the head of John the Baptist leads Joe Nickell to study the available evidence.