Chapter 25: 2D/3D

Of the many things that make the image on the Shroud unique, the one that most captures my attention is the fact that 3 dimensional distance information is hidden in the image density itself and is encoded into the 2 dimensional image. Remember, the image only rests upon the surface fibers of the cloth and still it contains this hidden 3D information. No other 2 dimensional image – anywhere – ever – has this kind of information encoded into it. And no one has ever been able to reproduce this effect using modern science.

When considering Christ's death and resurrection...specifically the time in between the two, it makes one wonder about His consciousness. In other words did He die, slip into a state on non-being, no consciousness and then reanimate? Or was His physical body “dead” by all human definitions but His consciousness alive and well and intentionally deciding to leave us the imprint?

When you think about all the stuff you own and what would be left behind after you die, it's interesting to ponder that all our belongings, our physical objects and possessions, reflect who we are on this earth while living and who we were after we are dead and gone. Especially anything we created ourselves – these are the things that tell our story.

But we cannot directly go through Jesus' scrapbooks, photos albums, treasured childhood toys, writings, records...all we have to go on is Scripture and that comes from a variety of sources.

So if the Shroud is the only “thing” we have (and the Sudarium), how is it possible that all of Christianity is not completely fluent on the subject of the Shroud? It baffles the mind. Is it not enough that the Shroud is the one major “thing” Christ left behind, that it is embedded with an imprint of His suffering and resurrection, and that this 2D/3D phenomenon cannot be explained or reproduced...is it not enough for our faith to fathom...to marvel...to believe?