rob117

"Pope Calls Judas a 'Double-Crosser' in Homily"

Did they seriously think a second-century gnostic text that we've known existed all along would really change the minds of the Catholic Church and other orthodox Christians?

I sense the media trying to keep a dead story alive...

:banghead:

Joan of Bark

The pope has an enormous ego that must be stoked regularly by issuing silly statements.

Having said that, where does the Infallible One believe the Catholic Church would be today without the crucifixion? Would it even exist?

Chili

It is a matter of perspective.

Yes he was a double-crosser because religion betrayed him. Period.

Yes he was his confidante because religion and religion only was needed to have him crucified. Period.

So what is wrong with that? Nothing because the crucifixion was the best thing that ever happened to him.

Spitfire

I'm wondering if Benedict XVI will consecrate another giant sugar cookie this April (if he hasn't already.)

Peter's betrayal of Jesus was just as bad as Judas', if not worse. Yet Peter's writings are of priceless value. If people question the credibility of the alleged gospel of Judas, I don't think it necessarily has anything to do with Judas' character.

Phlox Pyros

Peter saved himself. Judas betrayed Jesus.

The Gospel of Judas is a Gnostic gospel, considered a heresy by church fathers dating back to 180 A.D., and likely before. It contains the name "Barbelo", which was part of Gnostic teachings. It belongs with Gnostic texts like the Nag Hammadi texts, which are interesting for what they can tell us about the beliefs of Sethian Gnostics. It has little to no light to shed on Orthodox Christianity

Amaleq13

Denying Jesus to save his own life is a selfish betrayal.

Judas' betrayal was necessary for the fulfillment of God's plan to provide salvation to the entire world.

Phlox Pyros

Of course. Peter denied knowing Jesus to save his own skin.

Judas sold Jesus out to those who would have him killed for 30 pieces of silver, a selfish and destructive act if you prefer the historicity of the New Testament text over that of the Gnostic texts as I do. If you believe this gnostic gospel to hold more truth, then you have your faith and I have mine.

Amaleq13

Jesus knew Judas was going to betray him and did nothing to stop him (Mt 26:25). Is it your belief that God's plan did not require Judas to betray Jesus?

My assertion is not based upon the Gospel of Judas but upon the canonical Gospels. Do you not believe that Psalm 41:9 is a prophecy of Judas' betrayal?

Phlox Pyros

I think I've lost track of what the original point of all of this was...to show that Peter's denial which saved himself was as bad as Judas' betrayal of Jesus into the hands of those that killed him?

Why do we care what "God's plan" was? If Judas did not know of "God's plan" (and it would seem he didn't from the New Testament texts), then why does it matter?

Not a prophecy that Judas or the disciples knew of before the death of Jesus. Why, do you believe that it is?

Wads4

Or, was it necessary in order to demonise the Jews, represented by Judas, so that the gentile Roman Church could achieve dominence. Or was Jesus acting out his own private passion-play trying to emulate prophets like Elijah, or fulfill the alleged prophecies of Isaiah,-for which Judas' betrayal was a necessary feature?