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In conjunction with Easter season 2006, the National Geographic Society
released an ancient document dubbed the “Gospel of Judas.” In their news
releases, National Geographic indicated the information in this third
century papyrus codex threatened the “official” doctrine of the church
by offering an alternative view of the gospel story as revealed by
biblical writers.
In this “Gospel of Judas,” Judas was given special insight into the
plans of Christ, and as His most favored disciple, it was his task to
“betray” Jesus so that His plans could be carried out. The text does not
include any mention of the crucifixion or resurrection.
It is interesting that the “Gospel of Judas” is supposed to be a secret
conversation between Jesus and Judas, although it is written in the
third person, and could not have been written either by Jesus or Judas.
Since neither Jesus nor Judas could have written it, how did this
unknown writer know about this secret conversation?
The document is a papyrus codex discovered near El Minya, Egypt, in the
1970’s. It is no doubt a copy of an earlier Greek text that was
condemned by Iranaeus, an early church father, about 180 A.D. It was
probably produced by a second century member of a Gnostic sect. The
Gnostics [from the Greek word for knowledge] believed that they had
special knowledge not known to others, and taught many things contrary
to the Bible.
The “Gospel of Judas,” like many other ancient documents (Gospel of
Thomas, Shepherd of Hermas, and Ecclesiasticus), is
interesting, but provides little real insight into the scriptures. Just
because it is an old document, it is not necessarily true or valuable.
“And Judas
Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray
him unto them. And when they heard it, they were glad, and
promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently
betray him” (Mark 14:10-11). Judas remains a tragic man caught up in his
own greed. He is a warning to us.
Was
Judas Really a Traitor?
by Bob Prichard
www.oxfordchurchofchrist.com |
