What does it mean to declare the physical, bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ before prime ministers, billionaires, and global power brokers at the World Economic Forum? For Dr. Jeremiah J. Johnston, it meant standing at one of the most unlikely pulpits imaginable—the main stage at USA House in Davos, Switzerland—and boldly proclaiming the truth that changes everything.
In his first sesison, Dr. Johnston was interviewed by Gillian Tett of the Financial Times (Provost of King's College Cambridge) in a session sponsored by The Washington Post and provocatively titled "God Took the First Selfie." The room was packed, with lines of attendees waiting to get in. What followed was, in Dr. Johnston's words, "without question, the most impactful opportunity I have ever had to proclaim the power of the resurrection and the implications of that truth for politics and power today."
This moment represents something profound for Christian witness in our secular age: the Gospel doesn't retreat from the halls of power—it speaks truth directly into them.
The Shroud of Turin: Physical Evidence at the Intersection of Faith and Power
Central to Dr. Johnston's presentation at Davos was the Shroud of Turin, the remarkable 14-foot linen cloth bearing the image of a crucified man with wounds matching the biblical account of Jesus' passion. During his talk, Dr. Johnston explored the compelling scientific evidence surrounding this artifact. This is evidence that points not merely to an ancient burial cloth, but to the very moment of resurrection itself.
The image on the Shroud wasn't painted or created by human hands. Modern forensic analysis reveals it's a photographic negative, scorched onto the surface fibers by an unknown process. The bloodstains show both pre-mortem and post-mortem patterns. The wounds correspond precisely to Roman crucifixion methods. And perhaps most remarkably, the image may have been created by an intense burst of radiant energy—consistent with what we might expect from the resurrection of the Son of God.
Why discuss the Shroud in Davos? Because the resurrection isn't merely a spiritual metaphor or religious sentiment, it's a historical claim with physical evidence. And in a room filled with leaders who shape global policy, economics, and culture, this evidence demands a response.
Every Knee Will Bow: The Ultimate Authority
There is a truth that towers over every political summit, economic forum, and power structure: "Never forget: a day is coming when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Philippians 2:10-11).
This biblical promise transforms how we view opportunities like Davos. The world's most powerful people may gather to discuss global challenges, but there is One whose authority supersedes every earthly throne. The resurrection proves that Jesus holds ultimate power, not the power of coercion or political manipulation, but the power of sacrificial love that conquers death itself.
When we proclaim the resurrection to those in power, we're not seeking their approval or attempting to baptize their agendas. We're calling them, as we call all people, to recognize the Lordship of Christ and the reality of coming judgment and mercy.
This is why, no matter where you are or who you are, we as Christian Thinkers must be ready to engage wherever God places us. Are you ready to share your faith when asked?
