Friday, April 07, 2006

Gospel of Judas: Food for Thought

Hailed as the most important discovery concerning the origins of christianity in the last 60 years, the "Gospel of Judas" has seemed initially to make one surprising point. After two thousand years of unquestioned belief, the idea that Judas Iscariot, one of the disciples of Jesus, betrayed Jesus by identifying him to the authorities so they could arrest him and torture and execute him, has been turned upside down.

Now, according to this newly translated and seemingly authentic text, Jesus in fact is supposed to have chosen Judas to perform this act, not of betrayal, but of the greatest service to Jesus.

"You will be cursed by the other generations -- and you will come to rule over them," Jesus tells Judas in the text.

I'm no expert on christianity, but I am certainly interested when something happens during my lifetime that claims to change Judas from a cursed traitor into a "special" disciple who was in fact serving his teacher and the greater good.

This is nothing less than a complete "enantiodromia", where something suddenly has changed into its complete opposite.

Taken as a sign, we see a cursed and rejected evil being, one who gave up his special trust with Jesus supposedly for the money, suddenly now in 2006 raised from the depths of absolute despised outsider-ness to an honored position of sacrificial service to Jesus and his teachings, performing the single most key act in the story of Jesus and his fulfillment of his destiny (other than Mary's giving birth). And he is portrayed as having done this at Jesus's request, and with the knowledge that doing so would lead to his being ostracized and hated for eternity. (See his depiction in Mel Gibson's "Passion of Christ" for example)

Whether you are christian or not (and I am not except in spirit), this seems worthy of some reflection. What could it mean? What does it possibly say about our time right now?

What could Judas represent in us, that has been "cursed" but "will come to rule"?

What could it be in you and in me that has seemingly for all time only been worthy of denial, banishment, cursing, or rejection? And what is this in each of us that has now reached the moment when it can be revealed that this rejection and banishment was in fact a mistake, a misunderstanding because we did not have the whole picture (represented by Jesus's knowledge of his purpose and destiny, and the role required of Judas)?

What would it mean for you and for me if such a radical shift in perspective is now suddenly here upon us?

Isn't it worthy of our time, thought and discussion to wonder about this mysterious happening?

3 Comments:

Blogger oakleyses said...

moncler, canada goose, juicy couture outlet, abercrombie and fitch, valentino shoes, herve leger, beats by dre, ugg boots, jimmy choo, mont blanc, chi flat iron, juicy couture outlet, soccer jerseys, moncler, giuseppe zanotti, roshe run, babyliss pro, insanity, ugg boots, mac cosmetics, instyler, birkin bag, uggs on sale, ugg, moncler, lululemon outlet, moncler outlet, canada goose, canada goose outlet, rolex watches, nfl jerseys, soccer shoes, canada goose, new balance shoes, uggs outlet, wedding dresses, p90x, ghd, ferragamo shoes, marc jacobs, bottega veneta, mcm handbags, north face jackets, north face outlet, canada goose outlet, celine handbags, supra shoes, reebok outlet, canada goose, asics

8:17 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

tiffany jewelry
cheap ray ban sunglasses
jordan 11
michael kors handbags
links of london
thomas sabo uk
air force 1 shoes
cheap jordans
air force one shoes
timberland boots
babyliss
beats headphones
tory burch outlet online
mont blanc pens
ray ban
fitflop
marc jacobs outlet
longchamp sale
discount oakley sunglasses
kate spade uk
louis vuitton
gucci outlet
converse outlet
tod's sale
lululemon outlet online
tiffany jewelry
abercrombie outlet
herve leger sale
hollister clothing
adidas outlet
links of london uk
burberry handbags
longchamp outlet
babyliss hair dryer
burberry outlet online
karen millen dresses
ray ban outlet
soccer jerseys for sale
ray ban sunglasses
oakley sunglasses
2015403li

8:46 PM  
Blogger odessadaby said...

However, when you reside in a country where a web site is blocked utterly, it’s in all probability not a good suggestion to make use of a VPN to bypass these laws. Indeed the same provider outlines in its phrases of service that use of a VPN to cover the identification of the users’ location may end in termination of the account. This entails forfeiting account balances together with deposits and winnings. Includes a wide range|a variety} of safety features and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Of the management variables, age was negatively related to basic temper, 1xbet amount gambled was positively related to PGSI, whereas gambling expertise was negatively related to PGSI. The U&G method is a dominant theoretical lens in the study of the uses and impacts of particular media, from radio and TV to social media and online gaming .

11:46 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home