what is the controversy about the gospel of judas? how does it affect christianity?

Answer 1

It's another puff of wind, blowing against the Rock of Gibraltar, trying to knock it into the sea.

Answer 2

The "Gospel of Judas" purports to tell more of Judas Iscariot and his dealings with Jesus. It is not clear exactly what this "gospel" has to say because the text is incomplete and has been reconstructed, with enough gaps to leave it open to interpretation.

Supposedly, Jesus gave Judas secret (or gnostic) teachings that he did not give to the other disciples, and one interpretation of the "gospel" has it that Judas was actually obeying Jesus' instructions when he betrayed him.

The controversy? Basically, the "Gospel of Judas" does not coincide with the accepted books of the New Testament, it suggests that the other disciples of Jesus were not privy to his "true" teachings, and it would seem to paint Judas as being the most obedient and trusted of all of Jesus' disciples. Gnosticism was considered by the early Church to be a heresy, and many gnostic writings were suppressed, including the "Gospel of Judas". There has been a tendency on the part of some "scholars", when various of these writings have been rediscovered, to talk about "lost books of the Bible" that discredit Christianity, which makes for lots of controversy which helps to promote book sales, but which doesn't really seem to do much more than that.

How does this affect Christianity? Some of the "lost books of the Bible" people would say (again) that this discredits Christianity, and various people who are inclined to want to see Christianity discredited will go along with that. Others will argue that this "gospel" is not canonical and will just ignore it.

In terms of "does this change the basic beliefs of Christianity at all", it doesn't really. Historically, in the first couple of centuries A.D., Christianity grew. There were many sects which took the basics of Christianity as a starting point and spun off in their own directions. About 200 A.D., the Church took action against these spin-off sects and started to determine what was and was not canonical in what eventually became the New Testament as we have it today. So, the "Gospel of Judas" was from the writings of one of these spin-off sects which was deemed to be heretical. It provides an historical viewpoint into early Church history, but it doesn't really make any difference to Christian teachings today.

Answer 3

There is a controversy because the gospel gives a different view of the relationship between Jesus and Judas. In this gospel, Judas states that Jesus asked Judas to betray him. Go to this National Geographic site. It has a great deal of information.

Answer 4

As I understand it, the Gospel describes how Judas was ASKED by Jesus to turn him in, and this is also how Jesus was able to announce to his disciples that he would be betrayed that evening.

This would be proof that the entire life of Christ was designed to mimic the OT predictions of the Messiah, which is why the early church tossed out this particular Gospel. However, there is still evidence in the Bible that Jesus had this entire charade planned from the start... When he reaches Jerusalem, Jesus refuses to enter until he is brought a donkey - because the OT SAID he would ride into that city on a donkey. So, he sends someone to get him one. Then, as he enters a City, everyone is waving palm branches at him.... Now, where would normal city dwellers obtain palm branches in the middle of the city, at a moments notice?? They wouldnt - it was all planned before the fact and the branches were given to them.

Answer 5

ok. It would not. in spite of whether or no longer Jesus advised Judas to betray him, it would not replace the certainty that Jesus is the Son of God. Now, if there have been a gospel that suggested that Jesus never held on the pass and died a organic dying and not in any respect did the miracles he performed, then i could say that ought to alter issues... yet, that gospel could inherently be a hoax. It does no longer additionally be a gospel in any respect.

Answer 6

I would just like to comment on this reoccurring remark that Jesus instructed Judas to turn Him in. Judas acted on his own decision. He wanted a Messiah that was going to save the Jews from Roman rule, and was disappointed in Jesus' teachings to love your enemies. Jesus knew Judas was going to do this and that is when Jesus told him to go do what he must do. Jesus also, saw Nathanael sitting under a fig tree before Nathanael even knew Christ and Nathanael was surprised when Jesus said,"I saw you sitting under the fig tree." Do you think maybe God just might know what you are thinking and doing? You people have no concept of God's abilities.

Answer 7

Some Christians find it offensive to imply any gospel outside of those in the bible are automatically false...and to imply they're true is blasphomeous.

I find this opinion close minded and ignorant. None of the gospels were written by their "authors", and they were VOTED upon inclusion into the bible. So, it was men who wrote the stories and men who decided which would make up the bible.

Answer 8

Because christains have always hated judas. He was the original patsy, there could be no christian religion without god forcing him to drop a dime on the "J man". The god makes the poor slob kill himself for doing what god and jesus wanted in the first place. What a bunch of hypocrites (god, jesus and christians)

Answer 9

Basically it told everything from Judas' perspective and said that Judas betrayed Jesus because Jesus told him to.

Answer 10

You really don't need to concern yourself with such things. Just believe in God, follow Jesus, spend some time alone with your pastor sometimes, and read the Bible!! Jeesh, its not that hard.