In the book The Quest for Adam's Knife I explore the human tendency to trust in the supernatural power of holy relics, right from the beginning. As I studied this phenomenon, one I have always been very skeptical about, I was impressed with the vast amount of historical literature on the subject. As near as I could tell, throughout all of history, in every culture and religion, there are endless stories about the supernatural power found in various relics and symbols. From Elisha's bones in the Old Testament (2 Kings 13:20-21) to the Apostle Paul's handkerchief in the New Testament (Acts 19:11-12). From Greek and Roman mythology to Buddhist relics in use today. The early Christian church was crazy about collecting relics, from bits of the "true cross" to the holy grail. The church fathers all believed in their miraculous power, without exception. The most interesting thing I found is the lack of concern about fakes. The proof a relic is real is if it is documented to have been instrumental in the working of a miracle.. Even if it was known to be a fake, if believed to be real, and used in a miraculous way, it was then considered authentic by the church.
Wow. That is amazing. Those who write of such things were the most educated, most influential thinkers of their day, and none questioned the power of relics. None seemed to have any questions about miracles either. All talk about them as if everyone expected no less. Were they really that common, and widely known in generations past or are we just far more skeptical today?
The Bible reports Jesus did many signs and wonders, but this was not reported as the most amazing thing anyone had ever seen. Others seemed to be doing them as well. The Pharisees were instead debating if healing the sick on the Sabbath was work, and thus outlawed under Jewish law, instead of refuting the testimony of the witnesses whether the healing actually occurred.
In my own experience, I have talked with many Christians who passionately describe miracles they have seen, but I have known none who claimed the use of a Holy Relic. I have seen many miracles myself and have experienced them in my own life, but all have involved a transformation of a life, the changing of an attitude or behavior, never a contradiction or intervention of the laws of nature. In the light of the entire human history consistently attributing miracles to holy relics, I do not feel qualified to denounce the possibility, but carry a certain hesitation to endorse the practice, and would never bet my life on it.
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