Book Review – THE SHROUD CODEX

THE SHROUD CODEX

Author: Jerome R. Corsi

Pope John Paul Peter I has a serious problem on his hands. Fr. Paul Bartholomew has returned from the dead after being brought back to life on the operating table following a horrific car crash. Now he has resumed duties at his parish in New York City after three years of hospitalization and rehabilitation and is exhibiting bizarre behaviors. He audibly converses with Jesus in the Confessional and  claims that Jesus talks to him, sharing intimate details about those who confess to him. He has also gained a reputation for healing people in the Confessional. He has even taken on the appearance of Jesus. One day as he celebrates Mass at St. Joseph’s Church in Upper Manhattan, blood pours out from both of his wrists, soaking his vestments. The horrified congregation watch him tumble to the floor, fearfully trying to comprehend the calamity. Several parishioners take out their cell phone to film the event, and spread the news on the Internet, drawing worldwide attention. The story quickly catches like wildfire and the press is all over it.

Worried that Fr. Bartholomew’s case could be proved as a hoax and also concerned for the priest’s health and well-being, the Pope employs two men to investigate: Dr. Castle, a well-known psychiatrist, and Professor Gabrielli – a chemist who has made a career of debunking alleged miracles. For both Dr. Castle, an atheist, and Professor Gabrielli, a less than devout Catholic, this turns out to be the most challenging and perplexing case they have ever faced. As Fr. Bartholomew begins to more closely resemble the Crucified Christ on the Shroud of Turin, both men are compelled to investigate the famous cloth to confront mysteries that cannot be answered by reason alone. How will this journey of discovery impact their souls? Is this ancient remnant the authentic burial cloth that wrapped Christ’s body after His crucifixion? Or is this the biggest fraud ever inflicted upon the Christian community?

In The Shroud Codex, New York Times #1 bestselling author Jerome Corsi, tells a captivating tale of faith and reason, which encourages its readers to seriously contemplate how modern science can and does confirm key aspects of religion. The ideas presented will certainly keep the faith and reason debate going for some time and will provide new ammunition for many. Although the Shroud of Turin is a fictional novel, Corsi has done considerable and impressive research on the Shroud, presenting a convincing case for belief in its authenticity.

The Shroud Codex is a compelling and intriguing mystery, which mesmerizes the reader from the very first page. It is a book that is hard to put down, as the reader is driven to learn the truth about the Shroud of Turin and the impact that it has on the lives of the characters.

What seems most interesting and unique to me about The Shroud Codex is the fact that it contains a variety of genres, thus, making it appealing to a wide audience. It could be included in all of the following categories: religion and spirituality, history, science, science fiction, the paranormal, and mystery. Because of this, I believe that it will attract believers as well as non—believers alike who want to learn more about this ancient, fragile, bloodstained cloth, that many believe to be the actual burial cloth of Jesus Christ.

For those who want to learn more about the Shroud of Turin or for those who are simply interested in reading a unique mystery, I believe that The Shroud Codex is the book for you. Like its namesake, it is a mystery which, when solved, will leave both a lasting emotional and spiritual impact on you. I highly recommend it to all.

© Jean M. Heimann April, 2010

For the next several weeks, the Shroud of Turin will be on display in Turin, Italy.

Via Catholic Exchange:

From April 10 until May 23, two million of the faithful and curious are expected to enter into the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin, Italy. Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, will be among the many visitors when he makes the trek to northern Italy on May 2.

For excellent websites about the Shroud of Turin see:

www.shroud.com/
www.shroudofturin.com/
www.shroudstory.com/
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Comments

  1. Joan4/16/10, 4:17 PM

    Hi Jean:

    I just wanted to see if I could leave a comment. Did you go to the tea party yesterday? I would have liked to but, since I don't get out of work until 6:00,it was just too late. (Actually, I had supper with Casey too.)

    Joan

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous4/17/10, 8:10 AM

    Sounds like a good book I may like to read.

    ReplyDelete

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