I recently watched the National Geographic documentary on the discovery and authentication of the codex named "Gospel of Judas", which shows that Judas may have been Jesus's most "beloved disciple" and his "betrayal" may have been at the behest of Jesus himself. How does this discovery impact your view of Jesus and his relationship with the apostles? Does the codex have any relevance in our view of the Christian faith?
212281
honestly, i need to know more about the facts surrounding the gospel of judas before i make any analysis.  that being said, i think this is a gimmick to promote the da vinci code movie.
126984
The Gospel of Judas was written many many years after the apostles lived and their associates (Timothy and Luke). Where did you get your historical research? \nGive me a break. \n\nThe gnostic gospels are from beliefs that began in the 2nd and 3rd century, which meens that the writings come from a time period more than 100 years after Jesus ministry, far later than any New Testament book. Why in the world should we believe that these later documents tell us more about events than the earlier documents? They are simply not useful for trying to understand Jesus ministry and the shape of very early Christianity. (1)\n\nThe gnostic gospels were late arrivals, which is ONE reason why church leaders rejected them ... they lacked authority since their authors were neither (a) apostles of Jesus nor (b) persons associated with apostles of Jesus... and no one knows who wrote those gnostic gospels. (2)
626117
There is no question whatsoever the "gospels" were tampered with.\n\nSir Isaac Newton (of falling apple fame), one of the most brilliant men in history, rejected the Trinity (Jesus is God) after studying the bible and the "gospels."\n\nIsaac Newton was a (Unitarian) Christian and a scientist. He studied religion far more than science.\n\n\nSee link below:
78372
For an interesting book on what got included in the Bible and what got changed read Misquoting Jesus : The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why by Bart Ehrman. As for the many Vatican treasures you might want to take a look at the book In the Footsteps of Popes: A Spirited Guide to the Treasures of the Vatican by Enrico Bruschini. Happy reading.
201173
Jesuit scholar says Gospel of Judas does not merit name 'Gospel'\n\nBy Cindy Wooden\nCatholic News Service\n\nROME (CNS) -- The Gospel of Judas was unimportant to most Christians when it was written hundreds of years ago and it is unimportant today, said a Jesuit professor who has convoked a series of ecumenical studies of the historical Jesus. \n\nJesuit Father Gerald O'Collins, a longtime professor of Christology at Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University, said the text, like the gospels of Mary Magdalene and Philip, "does not merit the name 'Gospel.'" \n\nThe National Geographic Society unveiled the document April 6, posting a copy of it on the society's Web site, www.nationalgeographic.com, and releasing English translations of portions of the text.\n\n"A 'Gospel' is a literary genre -- established by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- focusing on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus," Father O'Collins said. \n\nWhile including events supposedly related to the life of Jesus, the Gospel of Judas and the others really are texts "attempting to bolster the importance" of the personalities they are named after, not of Jesus, the priest said. \n\n"They are not summaries of the good news," he said.\n\nThe texts come from the gnostic tradition, a religious-philosophical current popular in the second, third and fourth centuries. The gnostics claimed to have secret knowledge unavailable to the vast majority of people and focused so strongly on the spiritual and intellectual that they despised material creation, including the human body. \n\nIn the year 180, St. Irenaeus condemned the gnostics, mentioning particularly a Gospel of Judas.\n\nFather O'Collins said the most important thing about the text released in early April is that "it shows just how right Irenaeus was in saying the gnostics were against mainstream Christianity and Judaism, they were against our God." \n\n"To give Judas greater credit," the Jesuit said, the gnostics "portray Jesus giving him secret knowledge. It was a nice try," but there is no evidence to support the claim.\n\n"It was junk then and it is junk now," he said .\n\nFather O'Collins, who between 1996 and 2003 convoked a series of ecumenical, interdisciplinary summits for scholars on the historical Jesus, said it was "ridiculous" for anyone to claim publication of the Gospel of Judas will challenge mainstream Christianity. \n\nEND
254424
I don't think we'll ever be able to make a good judgement because we'll never see all the evidence about the Gospel of Judas. Those who want to use it to change Christianity are only going to show what they can use to help them. Also, so much of the Gospel is gone, it is like trying to read the bible skipping every 2 paragraphs or so.
559022
This is what Dan Brown would have you believe, but there is no historical evidence to back him up.   In particular,\n\n1) The Council of Nicea (AD 325) did not even discuss the question of "canon" (that is, what belongs in the Bible)!!   In any case, well before this time there was widespread agreement on which books were accepted  (evidence going back to the early 2nd century).   There is NO evidence of authorities "inserting" or "removing" stuff.\n\n2) Not only did Constantine not foist his own view of the deity of Christ on others,  ALL those at this Council (representing the viewpoing of churches throughout the Roman world) agreed that Jesus was divine!   The only question was precisely how that idea was to be UNDERSTOOD.   \n\nAlso, contrary to various insinuations, the vote was not even close!   The Council of Nicea was almost unanimous in its final statement (two out of over three hundred disagreed... though again, they did NOT disagree that Jesus was divine!)
594716
The proof is not just on paper, it's written on my heart.  When you experience Jesus, when you get to know Him personally, there is no question.  \n\nDo you think thousands of people around the world would give their lives just for something written on paper? The proof is in the heart my friend.
648178
"The Gospel of Judas, however, gives a very different account. \n\nThe text begins by announcing that it is the "secret account of the revelation that Jesus spoke in conversation with Judas Iscariot during a week, three days before he celebrated Passover." \n\nIt goes on to describe Judas as Jesus' closest friend, someone who understands Christ's true message and is singled out for special status among Jesus' disciples. \n\nIn the key passage Jesus tells Judas, "'you will exceed all of them. For you will sacrifice the man that clothes me.'" \n\nKasser, the translation-project leader, offers an interpretation: "Jesus says it is necessary for someone to free him finally from his human body, and he prefers that this liberation be done by a friend rather than by an enemy. \n\n"So he asks Judas, who is his friend, to sell him out, to betray him. It's treason to the general public, but between Jesus and Judas it's not treachery." \n\n-------\nhttp://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/04/0406_060406_judas_2.html\n\nread it , its very interesting. Judas did love Jesus, but most accounts see him as opposite. He was not a traitor as we see in plain eyes, but the carrier of what Jesus knew had to happen in order to die for us. The kiss yes its a symbol, saying goodby and leading the executors to fullfill prophecy. Christ redemption of our sins.
90683
This is true. :) Matthew (Levi) did [seem to] want to prove to the Jewish that Jesus was actually the Messiah, thus all the Old Testament stuff.\nI would guess an original Hebrew copy cannot be found because of the persecution. The Greek copies were probably made prior to the Hebrew version being destroyed. The copies were likely sent out to others, while the copier, I would imagine kept the original for himself to use. Only specualtion, of course.\n\n***\nOh, and borrowing heavily from Mark? Probably because the gospel was written a time after the events occured. He may have wanted to keep his facts straight. Or it could have been a coincidence, seeing as there were writing about the same thing.
92500
We cannot really argue who Jesus was according to the Bible, because of the agreed lack of a process of authentic transmission. Can we really put our faith into an English translation of a Greek/Latin translation of another translation of another translation of Aramaic/Hebrew/Syriac writings of Hellenistic Jews who never met Jesus and, according to the Bible actually fought against the Original Disciples and their teachings? Even the sincere men who put together the most accurate translation to date (NIV) say that we still know very little about Jesus. \n\nHence as much as it is great to see passion in believing in Jesus, I hope that we can be sincere enough to review our beliefs for the sake of God. May God guide us all.
649944
Why don't you Pray and meditate on that question and see if the Lord will reveal the truth to you.  The Book was written and categorized as Fiction.  The first line in the book says, "This is a book of Fiction"\n\nI am overjoyed for the fact that this book/movie has sparked such a great interest in my savior.  Can you imagine how many have picked up a Bible to read more about the Christ, that would have never touched it otherwise? Until this Movie came out, only about 10% of the population knew who Mary Magdalene was? I saw a blip on CNN News the other day that People are taking Bibles right and left out of hotel rooms since the release of the Movie.  I truly think that the Authors intention when writing this book was to promote Christianity.
367750
"For the Son of Man is to go just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born." \n\nMark 14:21 \n\nDoes that really sound like someone you want for a role model?  The gospel of Judas was excluded from the Bible for good reason; it was not the inspired Word of God, and is therefore heresy.  The Bible clearly warns against this.\n\n"I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book;"\n\nRevelation 22:18
289006
I do believe that there is some truth to the Code and to the subjects covered in the book. I have reexamined the painting of the The Last Supper and I absolutely see the image of Mary Magdalene in the picture and I believe that Jesus could have been married and also fathered a child. You have to have an open mind and want to contemplate the possibilities that it could be true because I truly believe that it is very possible.
136614
Go here and get the full thing, including how it was authenticated.  Sounds real to me.\nhttp://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/04/0406_060406_gospel.html
180445
i am agnostic... i beleive the bible is a compilation of myth and legend. kind of like a really good tall tale. i have been known to compare jesus to paul bunyun... yeah their was a big axe wielding lumberer named paul bunyun but did he really have a blue ox... hell no.. sure jesus was a good dude, but did he really do any miracles... i kinda doubt it.
131669
I loved this portrayal of both Jesus and Judas. The song that Judas sings right after the death of Jesus is so moving; it makes me cry everytime. This portrayal of Judas is also somewhat close to the portrayal of Judas in the recently discovered "Gospel of Judas", at least from what I've heard about it.\nPlus, King Herod's song is just fantastic. "Walk across my swimming pool" now that is something even Jesus would laugh at!