The Gospel of Judas provokes new debate

Area religious experts said the document needs more scholarly scrutiny.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The National Geographic Society's revelation of a long-lost document, the Gospel of Judas, is providing fodder for discussion among biblical scholars, teachers, clergy and everyday people who study the Bible.
The New Testament Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John portray Judas as a traitor.
The Gospel of Judas, however, purports that there was a pact between Jesus and Judas, and Judas was chosen to set things in motion so Jesus could fulfill his destiny.
"It will instigate discussion. It will extend the debate on early Christianity and diversity," said Dr. Victor Wan-Tatah, professor of philosophy and religious studies and director of the African studies program at Youngstown State University. He also teaches a course on Christianity.
The Gnostics
"The idea that Jesus revealed certain things to Judas that 'put him ahead of the other disciples' is plausible to the Gnostics," Wan-Tatah said.
The Gnostics, an early Christian sect, believed the way to salvation was through secret knowledge, delivered by Jesus to his inner circle, on how people can return to the spiritual realm from which they came.
"Whether Jesus asked Judas to 'hand him over' and Judas' willingness to be such a pawn won't alter the Christian understanding of the events leading up to the Crucifixion," he added.
"Judas had the free will to choose what to do and he chose to betray Jesus. He [Judas] has to be held accountable for what he did. Judas was a willing agent," Wan-Tatah said.
The Rev. John Temple, pastor of North-Mar Church in Warren, a Protestant denomination in the Christian and Missionary Alliance, said he found the timing of the document's release somewhat interesting, especially since this is Holy Week for many in the Christian faith.
"The Bible contains the truth. Now are we supposed to believe that Judas was a good guy who was put up to it [the betrayal]? That would contradict what is in the Scriptures," the Rev. Mr. Temple said. "I believe in the validity of the word of God."
More study needed
Dr. Kang Na, assistant professor of religion at Westminster College, New Wilmington, Pa., said the document will need much more scholarly reflection before its authenticity is confirmed.
"It just came out, and now it's being peddled around in the media," he said. "It would be a significant find to offer a different take on Judas. But I don't think this document adds to our present knowledge."
Na referred to a discovery in 1945 in Egypt of what are called the Nag Hammadi texts that show the diversity of the early church during the formative years of Christianity. These documents reveal the different approaches and interpretations of early Christians, and the Gospel of Judas would give another perspective.
"It shows there were multiple kinds of Christianity; some won out while others didn't have lasting input," he said.
The Gospel of Judas purports that there was a pact between Jesus and Judas, and that should mean that Judas was in the "inner circle" of disciples, Na said. But in all four gospels, the list of the disciples puts Simon Peter first and Judas last, so if Judas was favored, he wouldn't be listed last, Na added.
Call for dialogue
The Rev. George Balasko, pastor of St. Ann Church, East Liverpool, who was ordained 39 years ago, pointed out that the Gospel of Judas and other such manuscripts, like the Dead Sea Scrolls, were first studied by a select group of scholars.
"The document calls for dialogue. ... If something new comes out ... it's not an evil thing," Father Balasko added. "This is complex for teachers, not those sitting in the pews. One way to look at it is that it's not a core idea but something outside the box."
Father Balasko commented on the translation pertaining to the word betray but said it really means to "hand over." Judas didn't betray Jesus to the Romans; he handed Jesus over to a religious authority. "The high priest [of Jerusalem, Joseph Caiaphas] had to be involved for his death to be sacrificial. Pilate couldn't accomplish that," Father Balasko said, referring to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who presided over Jesus' trial.
"Judas played a specific role," Father Balasko said.
Rabbi Joel Berman, head of Congregation Ohev Tzedek in Boardman, who has read part of the new-found text, said: "It's a matter of belief and shouldn't affect anyone's faith. It's an alternative gospel and sets up a different motivation. But it doesn't change the actual events."
Rabbi Berman also mentioned the Dead Sea Scrolls and a category within them referred to as the rewritten Bible. "The stories [in the scrolls] are about Bible characters, but they make a new point and flesh out the characters. It's a different point of view," Rabbi Berman said. He compared the Gospel of Judas to that.
"It doesn't strike me as all that odd," Rabbi Berman said, referring to another explanation of Judas' role. "If Jesus came to die for the sins of human beings, why hold Judas responsible?" Rabbi Berman asked. Judas could have been used to move the plot/prophecies along, he added.
Visit National Geographic Society's Web site, www.nationalgeographic.com/lostgospel, which details the project, the text of the document, time line, conservation and authentication. National Geographic Books released "The Lost Gospel: the Quest of the Gospel of Judas Iscariot" on April 6, and National Geographic channel has broadcast a special show on the topic. It will be rebroadcast at 9 p.m. April 22.