|
|
|
|
Sympathy for the Devil Judas has always been associated with treachery- that is, Judas Iscariot. The epistle of Jude is as also named Judas in the original languages but was intentionally changed to Jude, another derivative, to avoid any confusion with the man who betrayed our Lord. The gospels are accounts from those who were with Jesus who wrote as or were under an apostle and were evangelists with the good news. To have Judas write an authentic gospel would certainly not fit, especially with the reports the other four all agree upon. While National geographic is touting this gospel as One of the most significant biblical finds of the last century—a lost gospel that could challenge what is believed about the story of Judas and his betrayal of Jesus. (for more on Judas and his betrayal) Elaine Pagels, a liberal and Gnostic supporter chimed in, “You can't fake a codex like this," said Elaine Pagels, a professor at Princeton University and one of the world's foremost experts on ancient religious texts, especially the so-called Gnostic or secret Gospels, which include the Gospel of Judas, all written in the first and second centuries and banned by the early church”(Did Jesus ask Judas to betray him Discovery of 'Gospel of Judas' Raises Questions ABC News April 6, 2006) Pagels of course ignores why these other documents were rejected- as forgeries or enemies to the truth. In the same way we have distorted reporting in certain newspapers of events that we later find to be insincere in their viewpoints. On the Manuscript "Radio carbon dating of the papyrus from the Gospel of Judas confirms that it's from the third to the fourth century A.D.," Jull said, "and this supports the authenticity of the Gospel of Judas." The gospel of Judas is a Coptic manuscript (written in Sahidic) consisting some 62 pages dates back to the fourth century and is supposed to be a version of the lost Gospel of Judas that is mentioned by Irenaeus in the 180’s (Against Heresies, Chapter XXXI – Doctrines of the Cainites). It is reported that American Coptologist, Stephen Emmel, that he had inspected sixty pages of text of the Judas Gospel. The National Geographic documentary shows only thirteen pages, with the text on both sides. Roberts-Donaldson translation from Irenaeus: 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. Its condition is in damaged and poor fragmentary state and is presently held by a Swiss Foundation. It is being edited and translated by Rodolphe Kasser of the University of Geneva. Wieland Willker at the textualcriticism list (Apr. 7, 2005) points out that van Rijn's Art News has made more text available of the Gospel of Judas. This part of Wieland's assessment seems about right: "What I find curious is the very abrupt and unexpected end . . . The betrayal and everything else that happened is not reported. . . . Only the typical Gnostic aeon talk." the manuscript can be viewed at http://www.michelvanrijn.nl/artnews/judasgospel1.htm What does it contain Krosney state in an ABC interview- "Judas is, rather, the favored disciple of Jesus. He is the one whose star shines in the heavens and in the skies, and Judas, therefore, becomes unique. He is Jesus' best friend rather than his betrayer." (Did Jesus ask Judas to betray him Discovery of 'Gospel of Judas' Raises Questions ABC News April 6, 2006) What a switcheroo this is, Judas is his best bud not one who was called unclean by Jesus who was infilled with Satan himself to do this deed. These are portions of an article posted on http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0%2C%2C13509-1981591%2C00.html “…at one point in the document, Jesus tells Judas Iscariot, “Come, that I may teach you about secrets no person has ever seen.” Jesus also tells Judas that he will exceed all of the other disciples, “For you will sacrifice the man who clothes me.” The document suggests that Judas’ betrayal of Jesus came at the request of Jesus Himself. “In other words, this newly discovered ‘gospel’ is nothing more than one of many propaganda pieces produced by Gnostics -- a group of people who were desperate to undermine the doctrine of the bodily resurrection of Jesus,” Thornbury said .” (Judas’ is heresy & unreliable history, profs say Apr 10, 2006By Tim Ellsworth http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?ID=23009)It appears that those who do not want to accept the Bible are far more willing to accept the rejected gospels (the forgeries of Gnostics) to soothe their own guilty consciences.
The "Gospel of Judas", a 62-page worn and tattered papyrus, was found in Egypt half a century ago and
later sold by antiquities dealers to the Maecenas Foundation in Basle, Switzerland. This is typical psychology, making Judas a victim and not having him be responsible for what he did. The Bible makes it clear what happened to Judas and in a disappointing yet tactful way-Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place" (Acts 1:25). “He told La Stampa that there was a Christian tradition that held that Judas was forgiven by Jesus and ordered to purify himself with "spiritual exercises" in the desert. How could he have done this when he hung himself right afterwards. According to Catholics this can be answered because the Bible is not the final authority by itself but tradition weighs in just as strong. These men will believe anything but the truth. Whatever is new is more important that what is old and proven. There have been so many ancient manuscripts that were known in the early church that were rejected because of their contradictions to the already received record. None of this is new. We should not look at his betrayal as evil but actually part of obtaining our salvation. Judas was stealing money all along, not once did he call Jesus Lord or master despite he went along with all the rest on their missionary outreaches, but after all he was a good guy. Jesus said there is one unclean among them- These Catholics want to make Judas clean. At the last supper, they were celebrating the Passover, John 13:10-11 Jesus said to him, "He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you." For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, "You are not all clean." Judas was not clean, why? Jesus said "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. (John 15:3). Obviously Judas did not believe the words Jesus was speaking so he was not set apart to be a minister, he made himself wide open to sell him out. Yet we are to be Jesus conspired with Judas and set this up and was to give Judas a place a prominence above all the other apostles. What a story! Fulfilling God's plan is not a
good argument -the fact is all of creation is
working to fulfill God’s plan- does this mean all will be redeemed. Their position is that betraying the Lord is not considered evil because it fulfilled Scripture? Then you might as well befriend the antichrist who will replace Jesus for a time and will fulfill more Scripture than Judas. After all we are told Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly" (John 13:27). In the same manner Satan will enter a man who be far worse a betrayer- So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast (Rev. 13:4). Despite the benevolence they can do nothing to change the Scripture nor the place Judas is in. I guess in conclusion, you can call this sympathy for the devil. "Judas has the terrible task of taking it upon himself to turn him over to the authorities for this reason," Pagels said. "Now, the Gospel of Judas also has Judas say to Jesus in fear and terror that he has a dream that the other disciples will hate him and will stone him to death, will attack him. "And Jesus says, 'Yes, in fact, they will think that you are a terrible person because of what you did. This is part of the burden that you bear. But they will be wrong about that.' So it is an extraordinary transformation of the ordinary understanding of Judas Iscariot." Pagels said the text shows that Christ, in fact, asked Judas to betray him for an undisclosed reason. "The Gospel of Judas does suggest that the betrayal of Jesus is not a reprehensible act, not the act of a traitor, you know, the worst villain in the history of the world, but that it's a secret mystery between him and Jesus," she said.” Pagels "I would hope that people appreciate the excitement of this discovery and recognize that it's all right to ask the kinds of questions that sometimes they're afraid to ask, and say, 'What else didn't we know about the early Christian movement? Could, for example, Judas be forgiven?'" she said. "And when people start asking that question, they'll realize that it doesn't destroy faith, it actually can strengthen it. But it's a different kind of faith; it's informed by what we understand about our past." (Did Jesus ask Judas to betray him Discovery of 'Gospel of Judas' Raises Questions ABC News April 6, 2006) Allen Morris, secretary for the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales, said: "If Christ died for all - is it possible that Judas too was redeemed through the Master he betrayed? No because one must believe in truthfulness to be saved by the gospel, Judas clearly did not. In fact if one wants to take the position that Judas was saved then the Devil can be also since he was the one in him that influenced him to do this deed. The Universalist's should rejoice that even Judas can be redeemed in the end which means every diabolical sicko throughout mankind's history can be in heaven as well. Conclusion- there is nothing that you can do wrong that will make God judge you. The Da Vinci code, Jesus Dynasty, Jesus papers, the gospel of Judas and probably more coming prove that the Kingdom of Darkness is now launching an all out assault against Christ and his followers. So we know time is running out by the circumstances we see taking place.
|
|
|
