Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Wisdumb · 08-16-2006, 01:03 PM

The May 2006 edition of National Geographic included an article about a Gospel supposedly written by Judas. It makes some interesting claims. One such claim was that Jesus favored him over all his disciples because of the fact he knew he would be the one to betray him, which of course would lead to his crucifixion and the fullfillment of the prophecy. The article even claimed Judas was acting at Jesus' request.
Well if you believe Jesus was in fact God or just divine and was all knowing than I guess he knew this all along and so the Gospel of Judas doesn't exactly reveal anything new.
What bothers me, however, is that there have been so many gospels written by disciples, such as Mary Magdeline, Philip, Thomas and even one titled the Gospel of Truth that were not included in the New Testament. I read some of the Gospel of Mary M. and found it was very interesting and looked at Jesus and his message quite differently. I wonder how different Christian thinking would be had all of those gospels been used.

Roger Pearse · 08-16-2006, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wisdumb

The May 2006 edition of National Geographic included an article about a Gospel supposedly written by Judas. It makes some interesting claims. One such claim was that Jesus favored him over all his disciples because of the fact he knew he would be the one to betray him, which of course would lead to his crucifixion and the fullfillment of the prophecy. The article even claimed Judas was acting at Jesus' request.
Well if you believe Jesus was in fact God or just divine and was all knowing than I guess he knew this all along and so the Gospel of Judas doesn't exactly reveal anything new.
What bothers me, however, is that there have been so many gospels written by disciples, such as Mary Magdeline, Philip, Thomas and even one titled the Gospel of Truth that were not included in the New Testament. I read some of the Gospel of Mary M. and found it was very interesting and looked at Jesus and his message quite differently. I wonder how different Christian thinking would be had all of those gospels been used.

It would have been impossible for 1st century Christians to use any of these texts, since none of them had been written then.

The creation of fake gospels under the name of one apostle or another in the interest of one group or another began in the second century and has continued even to our own day.

All the best,

Roger Pearse

Toto · 08-16-2006, 01:19 PM

previous threads on gJudas:

Judas the Hero?

Why are Christians so irked about the gospel of Judas?

Gospel of Judas published - with links to the text and the Nat Geographic article

Nice Squirrel · 08-16-2006, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wisdumb

The May 2006 edition of National Geographic included an article about a Gospel supposedly written by Judas. It makes some interesting claims. One such claim was that Jesus favored him over all his disciples because of the fact he knew he would be the one to betray him, which of course would lead to his crucifixion and the fullfillment of the prophecy. The article even claimed Judas was acting at Jesus' request.
Well if you believe Jesus was in fact God or just divine and was all knowing than I guess he knew this all along and so the Gospel of Judas doesn't exactly reveal anything new.
What bothers me, however, is that there have been so many gospels written by disciples, such as Mary Magdeline, Philip, Thomas and even one titled the Gospel of Truth that were not included in the New Testament. I read some of the Gospel of Mary M. and found it was very interesting and looked at Jesus and his message quite differently. I wonder how different Christian thinking would be had all of those gospels been used.

Considering there were many texts and traditions during the first and second century, it is not surprising there was a push for an official version. One must not forget the influence of the cult of Isis and Zorastoriam on Christianity and the reaction to the different practices of the early church.

Steven Carr · 08-16-2006, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger Pearse

It would have been impossible for 1st century Christians to use any of these texts, since none of them had been written then.

The creation of fake gospels under the name of one apostle or another in the interest of one group or another began in the second century and has continued even to our own day.

All the best,

Roger Pearse

The author of Luke claimed to be writing after many had already written.

When does that date these 'many' other works, which presumably have now been lost?

Chris Weimer · 08-16-2006, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Carr

The author of Luke claimed to be writing after many had already written.

When does that date these 'many' other works, which presumably have now been lost?

Mark, Q/Matthew, "L", birth tradition, Pauline traditions, perhaps Thomas - that more than qualifies for Luke's prologue.

GenesisNemesis · 08-16-2006, 05:38 PM

They said in the article at National Geographic that they didn't claim it to be written by Judas, just that he was the "main" character in it.

Roger Pearse · 08-16-2006, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by One_Of_Logic

They said in the article at National Geographic that they didn't claim it to be written by Judas, just that he was the "main" character in it.

Frieda Nussberger-Tchacos, the Swiss dealer involved in the selling, repossession, and marketting of the codex, did claim in a newpaper article to be "inspired by Judas". Some art-world people agree, although not in quite the sense she had in mind.

All the best,

Roger Pearse

S.C.Carlson · 08-16-2006, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wisdumb

The article even claimed Judas was acting at Jesus' request.

Actually, this is a misinterpretation of the Coptic future tense, which is less specific and may even encompass Jesus' predicting Judas' betrayal (which, if so, makes the statement as orthodox as John 13:27). See this note from Jim Davila's Paleojudaica blog for more information.

Stephen

gregor · 08-17-2006, 06:01 AM

Mr. Pearse:

Since all gospels are merely position pieces for a particular sect, calling something a "fake gospel" is an oxymoron. Your comment is probably more accurately re-written:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger Pearse

The creation of [] gospels under the name of one apostle or another in the interest of one group or another [is how the bible came to be].

08-16-2006, 01:03 PM	#1
Wisdumb Regular Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: United States Posts: 103	The Judas Gospel... The May 2006 edition of National Geographic included an article about a Gospel supposedly written by Judas. It makes some interesting claims. One such claim was that Jesus favored him over all his disciples because of the fact he knew he would be the one to betray him, which of course would lead to his crucifixion and the fullfillment of the prophecy. The article even claimed Judas was acting at Jesus' request. Well if you believe Jesus was in fact God or just divine and was all knowing than I guess he knew this all along and so the Gospel of Judas doesn't exactly reveal anything new. What bothers me, however, is that there have been so many gospels written by disciples, such as Mary Magdeline, Philip, Thomas and even one titled the Gospel of Truth that were not included in the New Testament. I read some of the Gospel of Mary M. and found it was very interesting and looked at Jesus and his message quite differently. I wonder how different Christian thinking would be had all of those gospels been used.

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08-16-2006, 01:19 PM	#3
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	previous threads on gJudas: Judas the Hero? Why are Christians so irked about the gospel of Judas? Gospel of Judas published - with links to the text and the Nat Geographic article

08-16-2006, 05:38 PM	#7
GenesisNemesis Contributor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: A pale blue oblate spheroid. Posts: 20,351	They said in the article at National Geographic that they didn't claim it to be written by Judas, just that he was the "main" character in it.

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