There are some new and exciting developments concerning that colorful and controversial character of the Bible, Judas Iscariot. Yes, the old rapscallion is finally getting a second chance, and it’s high time. The National Geographic Society has published “The Gospel of Judas,” an early Christian manuscript that has lain dormant for about 1, 700 years. Almost always portrayed as the embezzler, traitor and betrayer of our Lord, this most misunderstood of the Apostles simply cannot seem to catch a break from the entrenched political and ecclesiastical establishment. The newest available information, however, reveals that Judas was acting upon Jesus’ own personal request when he handed the savior over to authorities. Without giving away the entire riveting story, Judas, it turns out, was the recipient of secret private and special knowledge, astounding personal revelations unavailable to the other 11 less spiritually creditable and mature Apostles. Got it ?
The latest remarkable tidbits contained in “The Gospel of Judas” make no mention of the notorious 30 pieces of silver or the rather gruesome accounts of this unfortunate individual’s unhappy, self-imposed demise dangling at the end of a rope. Readers reportedly do, however, learn how Judas graciously assisted the Lord to rid himself of a rather distracting and annoying physical body.
The old Gnostic sect held knowledge, especially that which was supposedly hidden from ordinary unenlightened folks, in the highest regard. They also believed that the earthly creation is evil. This is rather thick philosophic material, so do not mistake this crusty observer for a professional theologian, or even a good person. I don’t get a lot of it, either.
As one who is ceaselessly amused and entertained by the boundless gullibility of the general populace, however, the survival of Gnostic thought into the 21 st century has me rolling around on the floor in almost continuous convulsive laughter. This is a tremendous scam, absolute twaddle and an amazing groundfloor opportunity for the astute religious entrepreneur.
All the ambitious, modern Gnostic need do is announce the discovery of a new piece of knowledge and some weakminded spiritual hobbyist will take the bait. Since the most satisfying brand of fresh information is that which has been, up to now, concealed, the well-versed Gnostic is always perfectly free to make it up as he goes along.
In a time when there are so many large independent nondenominational churches, it has never been easier to practice religious trickery for fun and profit. There was a time when mainline churches cared about doctrinal questions, but that is now often supplanted by right-wing political activism or left-leaning crusades for “social justice.” If you consider yourself a “believer,” or even a “seeker,” it would behoove you to become immunized against theological misrepresentation. This will require some independent study, but a good place to start is a Google search of “church fathers.” Now that probably sounds like a bunch of boring, overly serious, elderly gentlemen, but you will almost instantly get 19 million results.
Of course, this adventure in orthodoxy only matters if you care about truth and the Christian faith as it was once delivered. All of this hard-nosed inquiry should be tempered with the kind of personal humility that is foreign to your typical, garden-variety heretic. After all, if we focus only on what is learned, even if the material happens to be the truth, we are no better off than the Gnostics. There is a lot more at stake here than getting a good grade on some makebelieve test.
Gnostics, and other contemporary deceivers, pretty much work along the same lines, and they are relatively easy to spot if you know the warning signs. The things to watch out for include an emphasis on self-help, improving selfimage, enhancing self-worth, self-activation or anything that purports to assist the victim have a richer or more fulfilling life.
If you have not caught on to the pattern yet, the best clue for detecting impostors is the elevation of “self.” Trust me on this: Any school of thought capable of putting a positive spin on Judas Iscariot will have little trouble making miserable offenders like you and me look like saints.
It is safe to say that very many serious practitioners of the orthodox, traditional Christian religion would probably suggest that the man whose crucifixion and resurrection we commutate this holy week promised his followers something entirely different, but much more rewarding, than a mere happy life.
—–––––•–––––—Free-lance columnist Pat Lynch has been a radio broadcaster in Central Arkansas for more than 20 years.
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