The Judas Gospel
Remember when the media and academia were buzzing a couple of years ago over the apparent discovery of “The Gospel of Judas”? The text seemingly painted the disciple as more of a hero than a traitor and sparked renewed interest in this man on many fronts. However, new research by April D. DeConick from Rice University has uncovered “troubling discrepancies in the translation of the text.”
“Overall, National Geographic’s characterization of the text has proved grossly misleading. Eager to turn a profit on its $1 million investment in translation and distrubution rights, the organization apparently sensationalized its discovery, filling its promotional materials with descriptions of Judas as “Jesus’ closest friend” and “the most loyal of all the disciples.”
World Magazine reports that “no evidence exists to suggest Judas as a possible author. Scholars now agree it is fiction. But National Geographic isn’t offering refunds.”
If they would stick to the Word of God from the beginning, we wouldn’t keep wasting our time with these foolish and frivolous claims.
(Adapted from World Magazine, June 28/July 5, 2008)
2ProphetU is an online magazine/website, started by Warren Wiersbe and Michael Catt, to build up the church, seek revival, and encourage pastors.
