Judas' Non-Gospel

The discovery of a "Gospel of Judas" is the only kind of Early Church news that is likely to excite laymen, but it was still a surprise to see the resolutely secular Instapundit (nominally a Presbyterian, but I'm sure that he wouldn't regard "secular" as either inaccurate or insulting) link to a post on PaleoJudaica reporting on a paper read at this year's International Conference of Coptic Studies:

Rodolphe Kasser (University of Geneva) announced that he is going to publish a Coptic papyrus codex of 31 folios (62 pages). The manuscript is written in Sahidic and can be dated, on paleographical grounds, to the 4th/5th century. It is rather damaged and in poor and fragmentary conditions. It comes from Muhazafat Al Minya, in Middle Egypt, and is presently held by a Swiss Foundation.

The codex contains three "treatises": (1) the Epistle of Peter to Philip, (2) the First Apocalypse of James (both of them are also present among the NHC [Nag Hammadi codices] but, according to Kasser, in a "different version"), and (3) ca. 31 pages of the previously unknown Gospel of Judas!

For Kasser there are no doubts that we have here the text of the "blasphemous" work bearing the same title that Irenaeus criticized in his Refutation of All the Heresies.

Kasser's publication is (hopefully) scheduled for the end of 2005.

If the work is indeed the one referred to by Irenaeus, its publication will be, as PaleoJudaica's informant observes, "a major discovery not only for Coptic, Gnostic or apocryphal studies, but also for ancient Judaism and early Christianity".

But before anyone concludes that we are about to get the unvarnished insider's account of what really went on during Our Lord's earthly ministry, let's take a look at what Irenaeus (c. 135-c. 200) says about this "gospel". He discusses it in association with a sect called the "Cainites".

Others again declare that Cain derived his being from the Power above, and acknowledge that Esau, Korah, the Sodomites, and all such persons, are related to themselves. On this account, they add, they have been assailed by the Creator, yet no one of them has suffered injury. For Sophia was in the habit of carrying off that which belonged to her from them to herself. They declare that Judas the traitor was thoroughly acquainted with these things, and that he alone, knowing the truth as no others did, accomplished the mystery of the betrayal; by him all things, both earthly and heavenly, were thus thrown into confusion. They produce a fictitious history of this kind, which they style the Gospel of Judas. [Refutation of All Heresies I.31.1]

The contrast between such extravagances and the sober tone of the canonical Gospels is typical of the early Christian pseudepigraphia. If one places all of the first three centuries of writings from Christianity and its penumbra in order from the most commonplace and down-to-earth to the most fantastical, and then from most widely accepted as part of the canon to most firmly rejected, the two sequences are very nearly identical. What we can best learn from the "Gospel of Judas" and its numerous siblings is that the ante-Nicene Church knew how to separate wheat from chaff.

Update: More about the Judas document. And my opinion of the Judas marketing campaign.

Update (4/8/06): The text of the new “gospel” has now been made public. FWIW, you can read my initial analysis here.

Comments

[Johnny Dee]

the most interesting point you make is that this work is wild while the other accepted works are conservative and relatively bland in comparison. This does not convince me of its illegitimacy, but rather, the opposite, my experience with eyewitness accounts are that they are full of improbables and discrepancies and such...it is the sanitized and propagandized versions of these stories which actually lack veracity and are written with the view not of enlightening, but creating conformity and ensuring control.THATS why they are bland in comparison, theyve been whitewashed.

[Mini]

Hello,

Interesting discussion!

For more information about Judas, take a look at:

www.gnosticjudas.com

regards

[adrienne vergara]

i got one question to all. why does church got such hatred towards judas to think the church is the number one advocator of predestination that everything is in god's will and if it weren't for judas, no crucifixion would take place therefore what would become one of the main core of christianity, "jesus died, buried, and risen" to which we're all saved from our sins? and what had become of jesus' revolutionary teachings of loving ones' enemies and the concept of forgiveness if we are to eternally curse judas? it's not that im defending the gnostics (if the lost document is really a propaganda made by them), to be honest im not really interested if you could consider it as a gospel or not, but i think with the document's revelation, maybe it teaches us some rather new perspective in re-evaluating our faith. all of the gospels were merely 'hearsay' (if it were a written account of jesus himself, i would really appreciate it), but as for judas for example, he's a man, a sinner like most of us, and lots of people had done worst things than what he did, but i think we all have to exercise another great example of jesus' hardest lesson, learn and apply compassion and forgiveness. and what about predestination? well, i guess everything has a reason. although one cannot make it as an excuse, but usually, like to what i want to quote one who posted a comment before, "god works in mysterious ways"

[Sarabaite]

HAHAHAHA! The more you rail against the old text, the more people will read it and think about it out of curiousity.

All the stories in the bible were ripped off from other cultures and older religions. The flood stories, the "Moses" stories, the "Eden" stories all existed in Mesopotamia, Egypt, northern Africa, and other areas long before Torah entertainers and storytellers decided to write them down. What's the big deal if there are dozens of differing legends about the myths regarding Jesus?

[jmh]

When you get right down to it, what does it matter if Judas betrayed The Christ of his own volition or because Jesus told him to do it. The point is that Jesus had to be put to death. Judas had to betray Jesus so the Crusifiction would happen. Judas was part of the story and we should not judge his actions. Why do we always require a scapegoat. I personally think the Gospel of Judas fits because Jesus had to insure that He would be put to death. As a lot of people say when they don't understand what's goin on, "The Lord works in mysterious ways".

[Julian Yap]

I have just viewed the RBC produced special DVD debunking the Da Vinci code phenomenon. It was well scripted and documented but whether is was necessary is another matter etirely. By creating such attention only plays to the author's hands. Now, I am wondering if something similar will come out to defend the santity of the Holy Quartet. Life in the 21st century is becoming more dynamic everyday and the question has to be asked - should religious text remain immutable?

[WalterAldridge]

What is the truth? Is it possible that the only real truth is the search for truth itself?Simply beleiving a commonly accepted version of any reality does not make it true.It is possible that being so afraid to consider any alternative information regarding ones religious beliefs that you only impede any real spiritual growth.In the words of Jesus;In order that you be born again you must first make your mind over as a child.What is in a childs mind?Nothing.A child will remain curious of any new thing until at some point society,religion,christianity and other outside influences will likely force that curious mind to accept the common thought form and beliefs of the day in order to become more acceptable to that society.Who wants to be branded a heretic or a cult or new ager etc. for daring to think outside the box.Why does christianity impose such strict mental constraints on all of its followers.Is it so that the Jerry Falwells,John Haggees, Rod Parselys, Jim Bakers,Benny Hinns and the like can continue to live their lavish lifestyles of Rolex watches,$ 2000 suits,Multi-million dollar mansions,exotic vehicles and behind the scenes contradictory immorality while keeping the masses fooled into believing they have the truth.My studies of the bible and other historical research would lead me to conclude that christianity as we know it today is likely the complete opposite of what was intended by Jesus.I would also imply that were Jesus to retun today in our midst he would likely be denounced by the very ones proclaiming to know him so well.I find it remarkable that the word heresy is still used in the context of a defense for fear of ones religious beliefs being challenged.Is that not the word Christianity used to condem millions of peole to their deaths throughout the history of the church.It would appear to me that any real spiritual growth must have not made it past the dark ages.Scientists and scholars alike have not been able to conclude exact dates and times as to when any of the gospels were written or who wrote them or how long after Jesus died they were written.Based on that assumption ,all we have in reality is writings based on hearsay,not fact, including the gospel of Judas.I would think that Ireneaus's choice to include or exclude specific writings had huge political as well as personal and emotional motivations.Its possible that were a different individual chosen by the church to perform this selection we may have ended up with a whole different set of gospels than what we now have.And what if it were found at at a later date that Gnostics wrote Matthew,Mark,Luke and John.What a scarey thought for most.Does anyone have anything other than speculation,conjecture or unfounded conclusions to prove otherwise?It is possible that Irenaeus was nothing more than a Pediphile or sexual deviant appointed by the church to constuct a thought form for its followers that would allow the Christian leaders to remain hidden in their own immorality and maintane control over the herd at the same time.History has shown this to be a re-occuring scenario within the church and as we have seen with todays Priests,Cardinals and Bishops,it remains a reality.So which one of you theological experts can vouch for the credibility of this individual named Irenaeus? Have any of you met this man personally? Of course not.So how can anyone presume to know what was in this mans spirit at the time of his writings or for that matter, what the spiritual state was of the individual who wrote the book of Judas.
At one point or another in my life I have attempted to become deeply involved with Almost every religious sect in our american society to include Catholics, Baptists,Charismatics,Methodist,Nazarenes,Jehovas Witness ,Mormons etc.in search of spiritual truths.In all my personal Experience with all these groups that make up Christianity I have observed one common thread.All who participate are required to give up their own search for the truth and accept the herds preconcieved notion of reality and become an intellectual prostitute to someone elses interpretation of Biblical writings and reality itself.
Is there a Heaven or Hell? Ask any child what happens when they die or adult for that matter and they will all say they're going to heaven.Very few will say hell.Does anyone out there know this to be absolutely true? I haven't personally met anyone who has died and returned to confirm that.Nor have I found a dead person whom I can dicuss it with.Why do we teach our children these things when none of us really know for sure.Has the fear of death become so powerful to humanity that we should all give up our own unique,God given ability to think and use our brain to search for truth and understanding or should we just follow the herd because that is the safe and easy path.
In choosing to remain open minded and considering all possibilities that come to light,I feel I have gained a better spiritual understanding and may have become more like Jesus intended us to be in the process.Is it possible that allowing others to be in control of our own spiritual self is the greatest sin of all? The only True Gift we have is to choose what to think.Give that away and you have nothing.
If the blind lead the blind then they shall all fall into the pit.

Walt Aldridge

[Tad Dickson]

We must all realize that the factions controlling the documents copied at the time were both religious and political. The allowed / agreed to text that make up the bible that we know today has been revised a number of times. These coptic texts were not allowed to become part of the bible because they did not support the beliefs of the person or persons (factions) in power at the time.
The Nag Hammadi library is a great example of Gnostic thought and recommended reading. Remember we are reading a new testament that is the "KING JAMES" Version.
I am surprised that we have any surviving text from the 3rd century about Christ and thrilled to have the opportunity to read about it.
Remember.... The truth shall set you free!

[ren von dietk]

NON NOBIS DOMINE, NON NOBIS SED NOMINE TUO DA GLORIUM!

Veritas vos liberabit! Beauseant!!!

[Charles Puskas, Ph.D.]

Bishop Irenaeus of Lyon, an early orthodox Christian writer wrote a treatise called AGAINST HERESIES (A.D. 180) where he denounces the Gospel of the Cainite gnostics called the Gospel of Judas. But Seth rather than Cain is mentioned in the above Gospel of Judas. Are these two Gospels of Judas one and the same? A third century work ascribed to Tertullian, AGAINST ALL HERESIES, also attributes the Gospel of Judas to the gnostic followers of Cain. Is this the same Gospel of Judas? Are the Sethite gnostics really the same as the Cainite gnostics as the editors of this book published by National Geographic (2006) would have us believe? I am doubtful. So there is insufficent information in either of these accounts by the orthodox church fathers to be certain. Therefore, I am sceptical, at this time, of ascribing a second century date to The newly published Gospel of Judas ascribed to the Sethites merely because a (long-known but unfamiliar) Gospel of Judas acribed to the Cainites is mentioned and denounced by Irenaeus (180).

[Albert Nunn]

To make the quantum leap from this being a "new gospel" based solely on its antiquity (allegedly from the 4th/5th CE)to its being a testimony from one who lived at the time of Jesus is preliminary, at best. To be sure, Judas lived out his destiny, as Jesus predicted. However, it is speculative to suggest, as does this "gospel," that Jesus needed an accomplice in his betrayal, and offered the place in history to Judas.

[Mark Chambers]

I think this is a very interesting gospel, some very modern concepts are included, but I think the Coptic translation is very poor, so some of the non greek translations dont make sense and totally miss the point.
(source http://reluctant-messenger.com/gospel-thomas-Paul_Halsall.htm).

Example greek version:
30/77) Jesus said: "Where there are [two, they are not] without God, and when there is one alone, [I say,] I am with him. Raise the stone, and there you will find me; cleave the wood, and there I am."
Coptic Version:
30) Jesus said, "Where there are three gods, they are gods. Where there are two or one, I am with him."

Now the greek version clearly makes sense, for peoples with religions with multiple gods, they still have god, and when they worship one god it is the same god. The coptic version is seperfulous rubish... And I think that allot of the other translations are equaly flawed. But the core messages, from my oppinion are definitely good messages.

[John Keeler]

"John's quasi-docetic, otherworldly Jesus who bleeds blood and water"

"Hematidrosis" is a medical term for sweating blood and water.

Also, any heart surgeon will tell you that if someone bleeds blood+water when cut, it means they have been stone dead for at least a minute. The blood coagulates into clotted blood and watery serum very rapidly after death.

The gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are based on over 5,200 manuscripts or pieces of manuscript written in original Greek (the trade language then). It is surprising how little these manuscripts differ from each other as well. Besides minor discrepancies that never alter the meaning of any text, the majority of these manuscripts agree word for word with one another. There is no other ancient document that even approaches the New Testament in manuscript integrity and evidence.

When reading these gospels--which are written in historic narrative--ask yourself, do these apostles sound like mere religious fanatics who are out of touch with real life, or do the apostles sound like they have a handle on what is real?

Finally, if Jesus was telling the truth, then he is God in human form, and things like wild exorcisms, miracle healings and ressurection from death are possible for an all powerful being. If not, and if he was simply a mere human, his wild claims point to him being a total nut and not worth our time.

[Frank J. Verderber]

I have been in Christ since 1975. Early on on I read all the New Age and Cultic nonsence. After getting aquainted with all the hype and fluff I settled down expecting not to hear anymore about fake gospels and the like. Well its back! What amazes me is that the story of Judas' gospel broke on NBC's morning show, featuring as the reporter, Katy Kuric. She smiled alot and looked like a kid getting an important lesson. If this is how she handles serious news, CBS would do better to put Dan Rather back in the anchor position.

[M. Katz]

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever

Isaih40:8

[Shaun McRoy]

I am fascinated by these findings. I am not as versed as the professors in the comment section. I know more about religion than the average person though. I know that Saturday is the true day of worship. I know that this was changed for political reasons. I know politics and the church should be far apart, but not in the way most people cry about such as the flag. I truly believe various parts of the Bible have been tampered with via the desire of man, NOT GOD! Wasn't Mary M. cleared by the "Church" a few decades ago of being a prostitute. All this time as a child and a man I was under the impression that she was a whore. It brings questions about what else has been changed. Man has twisted the word of God to suit his sinful needs since the dawn of time. Maybe there is a gospel of Judas. Maybe the image of him was as distorted as the image of Mary M. All I know is Jesus died for our sins, and he is the son of God. There is so much I could say about religion right now. I know it has been made more patriarchal by man then God ever intended it to be. Faith is a hard thing to possess in today's world. I am a 33 year old black man. I have been through and seen enough to make me question everything I was taught, yet I still stand firm. I know there are missing parts of the Bible. More important than that is the fact that everything I need to be "saved" is in the Bible in it's present form. Argue on gentleman!

[Hernán Toro]

Tom Pike wrote:

>> In response to Professor David Frankfurter's
>> comment:
>> "It really comes down to what kind of idiom
>> you like your theology..."
>> No Professor, it comes down to TRUTH, a word
>> that has been lost in our laughably
>> "intellectual" society.

"Truth" like parthenogenesis on jewish women? Like zombies walking by on first century's Jerusalem?
Like weather controlling prophets? Like "loving" gods that cannot find a better way to forgive humankind than the crucifixion of an innocent (or himself)?
Yeah, right!

Anyway, speaking of "down to earth" documents, just compare:

"They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them."
(Matthew 21,7)

"Jesus said, 'A person cannot mount two horses' "
(Gospel of Thomas, logion 47)

Good point, Professor Frankfurter.

[Brian Young]

I would venture to say that most if not all Christian (myself included)could be considered "heretical" to some extent. We all have some wrong thoughts about God but that really isn't the point. The point is that we continue to strive to understand God better realizing mistakes will be made along the way. It wasn't that long ago that Christians used the Bible and theology to support sexism, racism, slavism, etc and it will continue until our Lord returns.

That being said I find discoveries such as these fascinating since they help to illuminate others thoughts on God regardless of accuracy.

[Justin Farrell]

Whatever the case, this is an exciting time for biblical scholarship!

[Tom Pique]

In response to Professor David Frankfurter's comment:

"It really comes down to what kind of idiom you like your theology..."

No Professor, it comes down to TRUTH, a word that has been lost in our laughably "intellectual" society. It's humorous still how the ossuary of James that was discovered and quickly "shuffled off behind the curtain" by leading "experts", met with less scholarly attention than this gnostic heresy! The "scholars" of our day feign and swoon over a gnostic text while something like the Dead Sea Scrolls which were initially allayed as fake are now a triumph for Biblical accuracy.

I guess the Bible is true:
Rom 1:22 "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools..."

Tom Pique
Biblical Christian

[David Frankfurter]

Just on your last point, I do think an objective view of the canonical gospels would indeed count some of them as equally extravagant to those left out -- deemed "heretical" or "apocryphal." Mark's and Luke's wild exorcisms, John's quasi-docetic, otherworldly Jesus who bleeds blood and water -- it's hard to see these as "sober" compared to some of the NHL texts that are meant as philosophical treatises or metaphorical tropes. It really comes down to what kind of idiom you like your theology; and in antiquity, demon-ridden pseudo-biographies were not necessarily revered as the most elevated or sophisticated. There may be historical reasons for the four gospel's "catholicity," but they are not "extravagance" vs. "sober tone."

Another point: for most churches in Irenaeus's and Athanasius's time, there was no idolization of the four. We know (from mss., from church historians of antiquity, and from art) that individual churches read widely in and with great influence from apocryphal gospels and acts.

David Frankfurter
Professor of Religious Studies & History
University of New Hampshire