Gospel of Judas
-
If we look at this thing objectively, the gospel of judas basically adds another dimension to one of history's most prolific character. I agree with what the experts said, the gospel of judas like many other gospels that never made it into the mainstream bible, are more for advance learning about the faith of christianity. even though the whole idea of christianity is about jesus dying for mankind's sins and only through him that sinners are able to gain salvation, I'm pretty sure there are many people out there who would like to learn more about christianity, gain a deeper understanding of our faith.
Don't you guys ever wonder about Judas? About what he was thinking n feeling when he betrayed jesus? dont christians ever question about the motives of the characters in the bible? for me, i've learnt that jesus death was a plan of god. and i have always been puzzled as to why a jesus disciple who obviously knew jesus is the son of god, the one who could show mankind the way, choose to betray jesus for a pity sum of money! it's like throwing away a diamond for a few cents. the only reason i could see judas doing that was he knows he's doing the will of god, offering the greatest sacrifice of all, JESUS! im not challenging the beliefs of people that judas is a villian, I just feel that there is alot more than we have learnt so far, and all these so called gnostic gospels offer another view or even explanations to some of our questions. I must say, the fact that there is a gospel of judas all the more strengthened my faith in christianity. -
I don't know what Judas was thinking when he chose to betray Jesus. In my own thoughts, I would imagine Judas began to waiver in his faith as Jesus' teachings became more and more controversial; too controversial to his liking.
To me, the prominence of the gnostic gospels reminds us that we are indeed in the end times. Many will testify the works of Jesus when He walked on earth, but not all accounts bears the truth. -
"the only reason i could see judas doing that was he knows he's doing the will of god, offering the greatest sacrifice of all, JESUS!"
Within the Plan of God ...yes - but Judas knows ? hrmmm, ..i wonder how could a man who strays from the Discipleship of God Himself still knows about the Will of God ?!
Gospel of Judas - personally, i have a problem with the word "Gospel of" used in this context. Translated to more understandable terms - it means the "Good Message" (origin of gospel from old Anglo Saxxon word) of Judas.
Following which, it implies that it is written / or at least a record of eye-witnessing by Judas himself - as of the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, John and Luke. But no, it is estimated to be written by Gnostics in 5 A.D, found in a cave in Egypt in 1970, and bought by a foundation in Switzerland and its codex only to be publicly released recently.
So....what "Gospel of" ?? It is by far been described by scholars as a "Heretical Forgery". But as one of the "Da Vinci" seminar teachers said : "Relax, its just Fiction" - similarly....."Relax, its just a fake". -
It is clearly a Gnostic document...no wonder it was condemned by Iraenaeus as being heretical.
-
I would think you are right in saying that Judas waiver, in fact, frustrated with what Jesus was preaching. Judas was a Judean and also known as a Zealot, same as the other disciple Simon. What I felt is that Judas's idea of a messiah is a messiah that will live forever and established a glorious kingdom that will stand forever but when he starts to hear Jesus preaching about Him having to die etc, he began to get frustrated becos this is not what he believes to be a messiah.Originally posted by sillyme:I don't know what Judas was thinking when he chose to betray Jesus. In my own thoughts, I would imagine Judas began to waiver in his faith as Jesus' teachings became more and more controversial; too controversial to his liking.
To me, the prominence of the gnostic gospels reminds us that we are indeed in the end times. Many will testify the works of Jesus when He walked on earth, but not all accounts bears the truth.
Also, Judas was also being put in charge of the money which means he must have been found trustworthy of handling money. But along the way, he succumb to temptation as can be read in the instance where Mary anointed Jesus with perfume, he actually took money for himself.
I believe these 2 reasons are why Judas open himself for SATAN to come into him as can be read in the verses about the last supper in the gospel accounts. -
Judas Isacariot is not Judas the Zealot! There were two Judases a among the Twelve. But it's true that Judas stole money from the treasury box. I think he was just plain greedy for money & when he saw that there was no more money to be milked from Jesus' ministry, he decided to "sell" Jesus to get whatever little he can get from the remaining days of Jesus on earth since he must have heard from Jesus that He was going to be crucified. So he decided to make the best deal out of it. One he can get some money. Two he can escape from the chief priests, scribes & pharisees from certain death by being a 'rebel' with Jesus.Originally posted by gasband:I would think you are right in saying that Judas waiver, in fact, frustrated with what Jesus was preaching. Judas was a Judean and also known as a Zealot, same as the other disciple Simon. What I felt is that Judas's idea of a messiah is a messiah that will live forever and established a glorious kingdom that will stand forever but when he starts to hear Jesus preaching about Him having to die etc, he began to get frustrated becos this is not what he believes to be a messiah.
Also, Judas was also being put in charge of the money which means he must have been found trustworthy of handling money. But along the way, he succumb to temptation as can be read in the instance where Mary anointed Jesus with perfume, he actually took money for himself.
I believe these 2 reasons are why Judas open himself for SATAN to come into him as can be read in the verses about the last supper in the gospel accounts. -
Can I confirm that Gospel of Judas will be played in nat geo later at 10 p.m? Am very interested to watch
-
don't think its tonight, more like on the 9th Apr (as stated in the first post)Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Can I confirm that Gospel of Judas will be played in nat geo later at 10 p.m? Am very interested to watch -
think its replayed?Originally posted by vince69:don't think its tonight, more like on the 9th Apr (as stated in the first post) -
sorry my friend told me wrongly. yes, it was replayed yesterday, at 10 p.m, but not today.
info on replaying:
13 Apr 2006 Thursday 02:00 AM
17 Apr 2006 Monday 09:00 PM
18 Apr 2006 Tuesday 01:00 AM -
It's about a very old document that the Church Fathers had rejected & discarded about 1700 years ago, and has been found in recent decades. It is a very interesting archaeological finding, but it serves no purpose to our faith.
-
it is high time for christians (esp Nominal ones) to do some research and study on their faith. The Christian faith is not a blind, highly spiritualised faith based on legends and some exciting sounding tales but rather is a historically accurate and grounded faith.
There can be no spiritual truths with historical lies coming together. -
*bump*
I watched it just now. -
How was it? How do you find it?Originally posted by Icemoon:*bump*
I watched it just now. -
me watched it already alsoOriginally posted by An Eternal Now:How was it? How do you find it?
it's controversial
-
Ya controversial. But I personally find it very good - well Buddhists will find it goodOriginally posted by laoda99:me watched it already also
it's controversial
You'll probably find it good too if you're into Christian mysticism.
i.e http://www.frimmin.com/faith/mysticismintro.html -
haha...christians will find it....very controversial.....Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Ya controversial. But I personally find it very good - well Buddhists will find it good
You'll probably find it good too if you're into Christian mysticism.
anyway, if one think of the bright side, it will encourage pple to read the bible for themselves!!! -
I certainly hope Christians will be interested to find out more about other spiritual aspects of Christianity that is not taught in churches.Originally posted by laoda99:haha...christians will find it....very controversial.....
anyway, if one think of the bright side, it will encourage pple to read the bible for themselves!!!
(p.s i updated my previous post) -
Definitely, but imho, it is more gnostic than Christian. So we got to read with discernment. I think so far Gospel of Thomas is closer to the synoptic gospels.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:I certainly hope Christians will be interested to find out more about other spiritual aspects of Christianity that is not taught in churches.
(p.s i updated my previous post)
Gospel of Judas definitely out; no christian would dispute whether Judas was a baddie or not. -
Actually I prefer Gospel of Thomas over Gospel of Judas as it contains more teachings. Gospel of Judas not so much.Originally posted by laoda99:Definitely, but imho, it is more gnostic than Christian. So we got to read with discernment. I think so far Gospel of Thomas is closer to the synoptic gospels.
Gospel of Judas definitely out; no christian would dispute whether Judas was a baddie or not. -
Thomas is a sayings gospel, quite different from conventional. And it is quite controversial becoz dun have resurrection. Somemore got some parts quite strange...like make mary magdalene a man...haha...one look u know it is gnostic liao!Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Actually I prefer Gospel of Thomas over Gospel of Judas as it contains more teachings. Gospel of Judas not so much. -
I believe 'making mary magdalene a man' is Metaphoric rather than literal. Sometimes what Jesus said contains a deeper meaning and on surface level doesn't make sense at all. Gospel of Thomas contains teachings on non-dualism. Anyway I believe if you read 'The Power of Now' by Eckhart Tolle (an international/ny times bestseller), Gospel of Thomas will become more understandable. The book contains mystical teachings by Jesus - although it is not really a religious book.Originally posted by laoda99:Thomas is a sayings gospel, quite different from conventional. And it is quite controversial becoz dun have resurrection. Somemore got some parts quite strange...like make mary magdalene a man...haha...one look u know it is gnostic liao!
It is not strange, but to understand gospel of thomas you must have a basic understanding of christian mysticism. -
what is non-dualism?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:I believe 'making mary magdalene a man' is Metaphoric rather than literal. Sometimes what Jesus said contains a deeper meaning and on surface level doesn't make sense at all. Gospel of Thomas contains teachings on non-dualism. Anyway I believe if you read 'The Power of Now' by Eckhart Tolle (an international/ny times bestseller), Gospel of Thomas will become more understandable. The book contains mystical teachings by Jesus - although it is not really a religious book.
It is not strange, to understand gospel of thomas you just have a basic understanding of christian mysticism.
i -
Pls do read the website I gave you. But to answer you:
From the website I gave you previously: http://www.frimmin.com/faith/mysticismintro.html:....Jesus proclaimed "I and the Father are one," (Jn. 10.30) showing the world what the union of God and man can be. Christian mysticism is about nothing else but this transforming union.
Christ is the sole end of Christian mysticism. Whereas all Christians have Christ, call on Christ, and can (or should) know Christ, the goal for the Christian mystic is to become Christ—to become as fully permeated with God as Christ is, thus becoming like him, fully human, and by the grace of God, also fully divine. In Christian teaching this doctrine is known by various names—theosis, divinization, deification, and transforming union.
A common misconception about mysticism is that it's about "mystical experiences," and there are many volumes on such experiences in religious literature. But true mysticism is not focussed on "experiences" (which come and go) but with the lasting experience of God, leading to the transformation of the believer into union with God.But when Jesus declared "I and the Father are one," (Jn. 10.30) he proclaimed in himself the union of God and humankind, and he offers it to all who follow him (he gave the power to become sons of God to all who believe. (Jn. 1.12).
And within this union, there is unconditional love. -
Hi,Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Pls do read the website I gave you. But to answer you:
From the website I gave you previously: http://www.frimmin.com/faith/mysticismintro.html:
And within this union, there is unconditional love.
The following is my personal conviction, there may be others that may not agree,
I total disagree with this teaching of 'Christian' Mysticism, I put the quotes there, because I do not think they are Christian at all, most if not all of the quotes there are taken out of context.
example:
John 10:30 quoted here,
the background on this is when the Jews asked Jesus if He is the Christ.
and here is His answer
John 10:25-30
25Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, 26but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[d]; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30I and the Father are one."
Noticed that of the whole answer that Jesus gave, only 1 verse is quoted and the other 5 is omitted?
This is a sure way to take things out of context, and twist the answer to suits to anyone's fancy.
Here, Jesus is not talking about the union of God and humankind, the whole conversation Jesus had with the Jews here to to show/tell them that He (Jesus) is sent by God.