Posted on 04/08/2006 9:28:32 AM PDT by Merciful_Friend
The Gospel Of Judas
In a many dark hour
I've been thinkin' about this
That Jesus Christ
Was betrayed by a kiss
But I can't think for you
You'll have to decide
Whether Judas Iscariot
Had God on his side.
(Excerpt) Read more at rightwingbob.com ...
I guess the way I look at it is that it was predestined anyway. What Jesus and Judas knew or didn't know are a non issue in my opinion.
Well, I think that the truth of the Bible -- versus whatever other documents people can dig up for National Geographic -- is a fairly significant issue for people who do believe the Bible is the actual word of God.
On the free-will side, Judas would have decided to do this on the basis of argument and urging that the higher goal would be aided by his action.
The only problem with that is that mortal men decided what to include or omit from the bible.
They did, of-course, but many believe that there was a divine hand in that (i.e. the Holy Spirit that Jesus allegedly promised to the apostles) so that the Bible is not merely a product of corrupt humanity. Of-course there's no obligation on anyone to believe that, but that's kind of the nub of this "Gospel of Judas" escapade, I think, for most Christian believers.
We could also argue that the discovery of this Gospel of Judas was the will of God. With that said, it still needs to be authenticated as something other than a hoax and people can decide for themselves to believe what they wish.
To me it isn't something that I'll waste a lot of thought on. It's just a curiosity.
If Judas was acting on Jesus' orders/wishes, etc., why did he hang himself afterward?
I don't know how the "Gospel of Judas" deals with that; I imagine Judas doesn't hang himself. Maybe he floats up to heaven. But even arguing over those kinds of points misses the real point that the New Testament is generally understood by Christians to have been inspired by the Holy Spirit, right? -- otherwise it's just a random selection of what some people wrote and doesn't count for much. Is there anyone trying to maintain that the "Gospel of Judas" was inspired by the Holy Spirit, and divinely revealed to National Geographic?
The whole subject is about religion, and yet the media aren't touching on the fundamental issue of faith. Basically because they don't understand it.
ping
Similar thing with Peter - Jesus tells him that by morning he will have denied Jesus three times, and Peter says, no, won't do that, and then goes on to do it. Feels very guilty about doing it. If Jesus knew he (either Peter or Judas) was going to do it, ie. predestined, then how much freewill was involved? And why feel guilty if it was not by their freewill, but predestined? I don't know, but they did apparently feel guilty.
Of course,the fact that he killed himself means euthanasia is okey dokey with God...Whatever you may call them liberals,heretics,gnostics or progressive,they only have one agenda..To destroy Christianity....They have been trying since they crucified Jesus and they haven't succeeded yet!!!!!!!!!
Did he write this himself? Seems it would be kind of incomplete, what with him hanging himself right away. He must have been up all night scribling away. What happened to the pieces of silver? Are they still around?
I bet he donated the pieces of silver to the illegal immigrants to help them become legal.....After all,he was a good guy right!!!!!
Note: this topic was posted 04/08/2006. Thanks Merciful_Friend.
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