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It has been a good week—if you're a Gnostic. Most recently, Gnosticism popularizer Dan Brown won his case. Though if the case had gone the other way, other Gnosticism proponents would have won, too. Meanwhile, newspapers are proclaiming the newly released Gospel of Judas as a "fifth gospel" that truly "gives new insights into the relationship of Jesus and the disciple who betrayed him." Like the "insight" that Jesus and Judas both agreed with third-century Gnosticism a lot more than either agreed with first-century Judaism or orthodox Christianity. One of the best takes on the news is an op-ed in The New York Sun by Bruce Chilton—a member of the highly unorthodox Jesus Seminar.

Then there's word that most Americans hold a lot of Gnostic beliefs, too: 54 percent do not believe that "after you die, your physical body will be resurrected someday." Only 59 percent of "born again" Christians believe it—though the doctrine has always been an important part of orthodox Christianity and is in both the Nicene Creed and the Apostles' Creed.

Maybe Judas was in on the Sea of Galilee hoax that Jesus is now considered to have pulled on the disciples. An article in the Journal of Paleolimnology suggests that Jesus was able to walk on the water because parts of it had iced over. (It's a creative nice idea unless you've actually read the biblical passage.) Other science news this week is mixed: One study says prayer doesn't help you recover from illness (it may even make things worse), while another study says churchgoing helps you live longer. Then there are two news items on the evolution front, both of which are being promoted as serious blows to the anti-Darwinist crowd. The anti-Darwinists aren't convinced.

On further consideration, it seems like probably been a better week for hyperbole, overstatement, and not-quite-getting-it than it has been for Gnosticism.

Since we've been too busy to post Weblog items this week, there are of course dozens of important stories listed below. A few not to miss: Evangelicals discuss the immigration debate. Jack Abramoff tried to convince Sudanese officials that he could get conservative Christians off their backs. Evangelicals are turning their backs on Tom DeLay—and perhaps the Republican Party. John McCain embraces Jerry Falwell, whom he had called an "agent of intolerance" a few years ago. Michael Newdow's anti-Pledge crusade is returning. The Episcopal Church may make a U-turn (or perhaps more of a j-turn) on gay bishops. Afghanistan is on edge after the release of Abdul Rahman. Pakistan is on edge after a spate of church attacks. Alabama is on edge after a fresh church attack, too.

Gospel of Judas | Da Vinci Code | Bible and theology | Jesus walking on water | Churchgoers live longer | Prayer study | Prayer in schools | Religious literature in schools | Education | Christian and Muslims learning together | Evolution | Higher Education | Vagina Monologues at Notre Dame | Pornography | Homosexuality | Anglicanism and homosexuality | San Francisco vs. Catholics | Church and state | Wisconsin suit over donations | Boy Scouts | Tax law | Politics | Religious left | Immigration | Environment | John McCain and Jerry Falwell | Tom DeLay | Jack Abramoff and Ralph Reed | A promotion for Gerry Boykin? | Military | War and terrorism | Persecution | Afghanistan | Pakistan | India | Indonesia | Sudan | Christians United for Israel | China | Pope Benedict XVI | Pope John Paul II | Catholicism | Church life | Church buildings | United Church of Christ | TV, film, and theater | Music | Radio | Books | History | Money and business | Missions & ministry | Mennonites after the storm | Life ethics | Abortion | Premature babies feel pain | AIDS and HIV | Abuse | Crime | Morality | People | Other stories of interest

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April (Web-only) 2006, Vol. 50