Curious Christian

Rome, February 24 – The forthcoming publication of the ‘Gospel of Judas’ has sparked fears among some Catholic theologians that it could give people wrong ideas about the man who is famous for betraying Jesus Christ . The second century text, which was believed lost for over a thousand years, reportedly argues that Judas Iscariot was an essential part of God’s design and, as such, almost a hero. Without his betrayal, Jesus would not have been crucified and so, the argument goes, God’s plan to save mankind from its sins would not have been fulfilled.

Is this the same Gospel of Judas that Irenaeus wrote of? If so this isn’t exactly hot off the press. Well, full publication of the original text would be, but the core ‘heresy’ has been on record for over a millenium. I expect DaVinci Code fans will lap it up though.