Good Friday and Easter weekend was an ideal time to dive into an historical and medical explanation of the famous ‘Shroud of Turin.’ Pediatrician Physician Dr. Chuck Dietzen captivated an audience of about 100 people at the Kirklin Christian Church Friday evening.
Here is an AI overview of the Shroud to give readers background on the fascinating and important subject of the crucifixion and death of Christ at the hands of the Romans.
Dr. Dietzen is a pediatrician, including Chief of Pediatric Medical Rehabilitation at Riley Hospital for Children 2012-2018, author, Global health advocate, recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash, Howard County Historical Society’s Hall of Legends Inductee, Colts Horseshoe Hero of the Game, Christopher Award recipient. Dr. Dietzen worked beside Mother Teresa and is founder of Timmy Global Health, addressing medical needs to underserved communities worldwide. Dr. Dietzen recently joined the Crossing School Board in Clinton County.
According to Dietzen, crucifixion on a cross was “very common” in Roman days. Crosses were often in the shape of a “small t” or “capital T” Sometimes an X shape or single poll was used by a team of 5 Romans. The Roman execution team was directed by “exactor mortis,” a centurion who provided certification of death to local authority. The other 4 soldiers were to facilitate the execution. Crucifixions were carried out in conspicuous locations just outside the city for maximum visibility. Crucifixions were common but were not carried out on Roman Citizens. They were used to control the population and direct behavior desired by the Roman government.
Here is the sequence of events concerning the execution of Christ:
- Prayer in Gethsemane, 9 pm to midnight
- Taken to Annas house, 1 am
- Transferred to Caiphas, 2-5 am – tried, beaten
- Pontius Pilate, 6 am
- Herod
- Returned to Pilate – caned, beaten by a “company of soldiers”
- Scourged prior to execution
- On the Cross at 9 am, expires 3:00 pm
In 1978 full access to the shroud was given to Barrie Schwortz. He was part of a team that was granted permission by the Vatican to study the shroud in the Royal Palace in Turin. While he had access to the scientific research and information related to the shroud, he also had access to the Shroud Center, where he obtained photographs. Replica of these photographs were utilized by Dr. Dietzen in his talk.
The Shroud of Turin shows a man likely 5’10” tall, which was tall for that time, and approximately 180 pounds, according to Dietzen. He passed around nails, spear heads and dice from first century Rome. A crown of thorns made from plants commonly found near Jerusalem was also on display.
The cause of death for Christ was probably “Cardiac and respiratory arrest due to hypovolemic and traumatic shock, due to crucifixion.” This shock is characterized by:
- Hematidrosis
- Sweating
- Blood loss from crown of thorns, beating, scourging.
- Pleural effusion
- Fluid deprivation
- Weak and fainting walking to execution site, about 500 meters
- Thirst (John 19:28-30)
Dr. Dietzen said in his years of practice with children, he has encountered children who had a near death experience and told him about a “very bright light” and one child said he was greeted by someone (Jesus?) saying “It is not time for you yet” according to the words of the child, who lived to share this experience.
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