The Gospel of Judas
There has been a lot of media coverage of the recently
published Gospel of Judas. This document is part of a larger manuscript
that appears to date from the third or fourth century A.D. The manuscript is the
work of a Gnostic sect that taught corrupt and blasphemous doctrines in the name
of Christianity during the second century and beyond.
Gnosticism is a heresy that predates the time of Christ. It
was a conglomeration of eastern mysticism, Hellenistic Judaism, and Greek
mythology. Some Gnostics claimed to be Christians, and the Gospel of Judas
is one example of the type of literature that they produced. The Gnostics
claimed to have secret, superior knowledge that set them apart from everyone
else. It is no surprise that the Gospel of Judas begins, "The secret account of
the revelation that Jesus spoke in conversation with Judas Iscariot during a
week three days before he celebrated Passover." The Gospel of Judas
teaches a radically different view than that of the Bible concerning God,
Christ, the apostles, salvation, and, of course, Judas's rote in relation to
Christ. So what are we supposed to make of this new, so-called gospel?
First, the Gospel of Judas was written after the
period of inspiration had ended. Even if the document was originally written as
early as A.D. 140, it still came long after the revelation of the New Testament
scriptures had ended. Paul wrote, "But whether there are prophecies, they will
fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it
will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that
which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away" (I Cor.
13:8-10). The "perfect" has now come in the form of the complete, written
revelation of God's will. In the New Testament, we now have "the faith which was
once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). Even the most liberal scholars
acknowledge that the Gospel of Judas was not written in the first century
or by any of the apostles. The evidence simply does not exist to support a
divine origin for this ancient document.
Second, the Gospel of Judas contradicts previous revelation. The apostle Paul said, "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed" (Gal. 1:8). The Gospel of Judas denies the fundamental principle of belief in One God, and it rejects faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ as the means of obtaining eternal life. Not only does the Gospel of Judas rewrite history to make Judas Iscariot a hero rather than a villain, it seeks to rewrite the basic tenets of Bible doctrine and theology.
Third, the Gospel of Judas is unsupported
bibliographically. We have one copy of the Gospel of Judas that dates
from the third or fourth century A.D. But Josh McDowell notes:
"There are now more than 5,300 known Greek manuscripts of the
New Testament. Add over 10,000 Latin Vulgate and at least 9,300
other early versions (MSS) and we have more than 24,000 manuscript
copies of portions of the New Testament in existence today.
"No other document of antiquity even begins to approach such numbers
and attestation. In comparison, the Iliad by Homer is second with only
643 manuscripts that still survive. The first complete preserved text of
Homer dates from the 13lh century" (Evidence That Demands A Verdict.
39).
The Gospel of Judas is an interesting historical
document that provides insight to the Gnostic sects of the second century and
beyond. It does not, however, constitute a reliable guide to early Christian
doctrines or practices. When the Gospel of Judas is compared to the New
Testament, the evidence clearly and irrefutably supports the superiority of the
latter text. The Bible has been attacked, derided, and banned more often than
any other book in history, yet it continues to stand the test of time. The holy
word of God will withstand this attack by the Gospel of Judas and its
proponents. "[L]et God be true but every man a liar" (Rom. 3:4). -Joel Ellis
"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" —Irenaeus, a second-century Christian and
defender of the faith discussing the heresy of the Gnostics (Against Heresies.
Book I. Chap. XXXI).
WHEN CONSEQUENCES DO NOT MATTER
Actions bring consequences. One of the more important
statements of scripture is found in Gal 6:7- "Be not deceived; God is not
mocked: whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." When we sow (act), we
can expect a corresponding consequence.
The likely consequences of an action need to be considered
before acting. The above passage encourages us to think about what our
actions may lead to before we act. We should choose the harvest, and THEN pursue
the actions which will bring about that result.
There may be a difference between the immediate and the
eventual consequences of our actions. Matt 10:28 tells us to "fear not those
which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather fear him who is
able to destroy both body and soul in hell..." An action which may result in the
immediate result of being killed, may ultimately bring about the good result of
escaping hell and being with God. Moses was thinking this way when he refused to
live in the house of Pharaoh. Heb 11:26 tells us he "chose to suffer affliction"
instead, because he had "respect to the recompense of the reward." He knew that
the immediate consequence would be bad for him, but that in the long run, his
best choice was to remain with God's people.
The consequences that must not matter are basically immediate ones, and involve
the result of respecting and obeying God. Throughout scripture, we find examples
of those who were able to make the right choice regardless of the consequences.
In Daniel 3:16-19, three young Hebrews were commanded to worship a golden image
that Nebuchadnezzar had built, or be burnt in a fiery furnace. In essence, their
answer was, "It doesn't matter"! Whatever happens to us, we will obey God, and
not the king." As matters turned out, they were actually thrown into the burning
fire, but God preserved them (a "consequence" they did not know would result!).
In Acts 4 and 5, Peter and John were arrested by the authorities for preaching
the gospel, and commanded to quit doing it, or else be punished. Again,
paraphrasing their response, they replied, "It doesn't matter"!
4:19, 20. Even though their actions would bring negative consequences, they were
compelled by their respect for God and His word to act regardless! The immediate
consequence was a severe beating, but it did not keep them from further
preaching.
Now, we are faced with divine commands. Believe, repent, be baptized, etc. It
doesn't matter what results from such actions-God still expects us to obey. We
are called upon the be separate from the world, avoid fornication, put the
kingdom first, etc. It doesn't matter what the consequences are-God still
expects us to obey. Whatever the immediate consequences are, we can only expect
eventual blessings from God if we obey regardless of them. No doubt such times
test our depth of faith and commitment. And whether or not we express such faith
and commitment in God's appointed way DOES MATTER! What effect do
consequences have on your choices in life?
The Editors
ONE FINAL THOUGHT:
THOUGHTS ON SELF-CONTROL AND HABIT
Paul said, "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one
receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who
competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a
perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not
with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But J discipline
my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, 1
myself should become disqualified." (I Corinthians 9:24-27) We must master our
appetites and exercise self-control to be able to fully submit to God. Breaking
selfish and ungodly habits and replacing them with self-discipline is a critical
battle in the war against Self. We will not be mature disciples of Christ until
we learn to deny ourselves (Mark 8:34). With those thoughts in mind, contemplate
the following quotations, and examine the habits that have taken root in your
life.
In company, guard your tongue; in solitude, your heart. Our words need
watching; but, so also do our thoughts and imaginations, which grow active when
alone. —Anonymous
Habit, if not, resisted, soon becomes a necessity. —Anonymous
The chains of habit arc too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be
broken. —Johnson
Prove that you can control yourself and yon are an educated man; without
this, all other education is good for nothing. -Anonymous