The Gospel of Judas

There is little reason to doubt that this is just another of the gnostic "gospels," such as the Gospel of Thomas, which were written in opposition to the canonical teachings of the faith, rejected by the early church and condemned by every generation of believers until the canon was established.This message has been edited by Faith, 04-07-2006 11:49 AM

I suspect it is all written around John 13:27: This is Jesus talking to Satan rather than to Judas. Satan is certainly God's servant, required to do only what God wills. This does not let Judas off the hook any more than anybody else who does the will of Satan rather than God.

Anything that supports the canon would be treated with respect, but not included with the inspired writings. At least not by Protestants, who don't accept the Apocrypha as inspired although the Catholics do. Some of the Apocrypha add interesting historical information that is accepted, but some of it also embellishes scripture stories too fantasically to be accepted.The gnostic gospels, however, oppose the canon, have nothing to do with it. This would be to treat it like the Apocrypha, but since it teaches something that contradicts scripture it will not be accepted by any orthodox church.This message has been edited by Faith, 04-07-2006 12:04 PM

It is possible the CDs I'm getting around to sending you may offer an answer to your questions, but I'm going to have to listen back to them myself before sending them.

Anybody whose will is bad is at odds with God and deserving of punishment even if God permits his action. Throughout the Bible it is shown that God is behind all actions, such as the actions of the armies of Israel's enemies against Israel -- yet it is always promised that they will be punished in their turn for their eagerness to destroy Israel. Turning Jesus into the authorities to be whipped and beaten and crucified is a bad will, and Satan knew Jesus was the Son of God (from the temptation in the desert) so it was a bad will against God Himself. Judas had no idea Jesus would rise from the dead. Satan didn't either -- or he would never have had him crucified.

He gave them many hints but they didn't understand them. They only understood them after the fact.ABE: More explicitly than that, He told them that he would die but they simply didn't believe him. It took them by surprise.This message has been edited by Faith, 04-07-2006 10:51 PM