Sir – The Turin Shroud may well be genuine (Letters, March 6), but whether it is or not is unimportant.

What really matters is the genuineness of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection and the new lease of life, spiritually and in other ways, it gives those who put their trust in him.


Critics are keen to point out alleged discrepancies between the four resurrection accounts, but witness statements about an event invariably differ in details and emphases — if they were exactly the same in every detail it would strongly suggest collusion among the authors.


The gospel accounts are presented without embellishment and include aspects unlikely to be mentioned by anyone deliberately trying to start a new religion, such as the disciples’ weaknesses and the prominent place given to women.


Rigorous research into the vast wealth of scriptural and extra-biblical manuscripts has proved beyond reasonable doubt the historicity and reliability of the events surrounding the Lord’s death and resurrection. But what matters far more are the lasting effects of those events and the power to change and enrich so many lives since.


It’s fitting at this time of Lent that we ponder these matters, and I wish all readers the joy and blessings of Christ’s love in the coming Easter season.
 

Cara Robertson, Banbury