The man who changed the course of history left no earthly trace of his existence . . .

Who was Jesus of Nazareth and what do the relics left behind tell us about this fascinating figure? A burial box that has Jesus's name on it? A papyrus "gospel" referring to his wife? A piece of wood from the cross? A linen shroud that wrapped Jesus's corpse? Are any or all of these real? Or are we being scammed?

Finding Jesus provides a fresh look at the life of the greatest man who ever lived through six blockbuster artifacts -- including the Shroud of Turin, pieces of the True Cross, and bones of John the Baptist -- that give us the most direct evidence about the life and world of Jesus. Telling the story behind each artifact, Finding Jesus investigates, in the company of sleuths and scholars who use modern-day tools to solve ancient riddles, whether the stunning relics are authentic or frauds.

As both companion to the CNN TV series and as deeper inquiry into the story of what Jesus left behind,Finding Jesus draws on fascinating debates, controversial figures, and forensic evidence to reveal a story for the faithful, the skeptical, and the curious alike.

“A fascinating, provocative and informative entry into the life of Jesus. Finding Jesus uses controversies over recent archeological and literary finds, as well over some long-argued-over tales and relics, to provide readers with solid scholarship and thoughtful insights into the life of the man whose life, death and resurrection continues to enthrall and inspire.” —James Martin, SJ, author of Jesus a Pilgrimage

“Holy doubt is an essential element of faith, yet we are tantalized by stories that give historical insights in support of the foundations of our faith. Finding Jesus explores six artifacts that are windows into early Christianity and our desire to know what happened. These windows let us see that faith is deeper than history, but knowing these complex stories can sustain us as we grapple with today's questions. Finding Jesus' stories reveal our very human and complex hunger to understand mystery and our past.” —Sister Simone Campbell, author of A Nun on the Bus

“For more than two millennia, few people have captured the imaginations of human beings like Jesus Christ. Whether you are spiritual or skeptical, 'Finding Jesus' will help you experience the life of One who changed the world. Part anthology and part theology, this book is about what Jesus meant to those who knew him and what he means to those who claim to know him today. Let 'Finding Jesus' lead you on a journey of faith and facts--you won't be sorry!” —Jonathan Merritt, author of Jesus Is Better than You Imagined

“Finding Jesus is for the curious: folks who are thrilled by spiritual quests and desire to separate fact from fiction when it comes to the history of our faith. You won't regret following Gibson's and McKinley's path through twists and turns of the Gospels and at the end of that path is the One who makes this greatest of stories make perfect sense.” —Joshua DuBois, author of The President's Devotional

“In a mix of engaging scholarship and gripping storytelling, Gibson and McKinley offer a page-turner for a wide audience.” —Kirkus

“One of the great advances in modern medicine is the discovery of the enormous contribution of spirituality to human health, longevity, and wellbeing. Research in this area was originally confined to adults, but now Dr. Lisa Miller shows the central importance of spirituality from birth through the formative years. Miller shows that spirituality is not a superficial add-on, but that our connection with the transcendent, however named, is an innate aspect of our human endowment, part of our original equipment. This is a major contribution toward what it means to be human. We ignore these findings at great risk, for our future on this planet likely depends on how we respond to them. In other words, the 21st century will be spiritual, or it may not be at all.” —Larry Dossey, MD, author of ONE MIND