Only this much is certain: The Shroud of Turin is either the most awesome and
instructive relic of Jesus Christ in existence-showing us in its dark simplicity how
He appeared to men-or it is one of the most ingenious, most unbelievably clever,
products of the human mind and hand on record. It is one or the other; there is
no middle ground."
— Walsh, J.E., "The Shroud," Random House: New York NY, 1963.
As reported on Saturday at Madison.com:
MONROE – John Evangelist Walsh died peacefully on March 19, at the age of 87, in Monroe, with his wife, Dorothy, and son, Timothy, at his bedside.
A true writer’s writer, he published more than 25 books, mostly literary biography and history, including Poe the Detective, which won an Edgar award; Into My Own: The English Years of Robert Frost; Darkling I Listen: The Last Days and Death of John Keats; Midnight Dreary: The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe, an Edgar nominee; and The Shadows Rise: Abraham Lincoln and the Ann Rutledge Legend, finalist for the Lincoln Prize.
Though not an academic per se, through his intensive research and many publications in certain disciplines, he became part of the scholarly conversations in several fields of study, including Emily Dickinson studies, Abraham Lincoln studies, and the lives and works of Edgar Allan Poe and Robert Frost.
His mind was razor-sharp to the end; at his death he left nine complete unpublished book manuscripts, including books on Emerson, Poe, Robert Frost, the Shroud of Turin, Pearl Harbor, and two mystery novels. He was still writing the day before he died.
He was a true pioneer of Shroud research. His simple conclusion has been echoed time again. The Shroud is either the authentic burial cloth of Christ or a forgery intended to be he authentic burial cloth of Christ.
The John Walsh book brought me into the Shroud world nearly forty years ago. Since then having met many shroudies, American and European, attended many conferences and having seen the Shroud at all exhibitions since 1978. It has been a life changing experience thanks to John Walsh. He epitomized the melding of scholarship and faith, stressing the need for scientific exactitude and historical accuracy. His creativity was wide-ranging and enlightening; a master of his craft. Thank you John.
Richard Orareo
What clarity of thought in the quote you chose, Dan. I agree with him.