2 of 2

I talked with Darrell Bock of Dallas Theological Seminary hours before he was scheduled to lecture at Princeton, Pagels's employer. He explained some peculiarities about the group that gave us the Gospel of Judas. Turns out these "Cainite Gnostics" earned their moniker rehabilitating disgraced biblical figures, including Cain, the Sodomites, and Judas.

Bock also pointed out that Scripture does include some contrasting perspectives on Judas. Mark portrays Judas as a bumbler, just like the other disciples who misunderstood Jesus' teaching. Writing later, John explains Judas differently. Judas exploits his position as treasurer to steal from the till, and Jesus calls him a "devil" (John 6:70).

According to Bock, the balance of Scripture indicates Judas expected a different type of Messiah. Disappointed, he turned in Jesus, whom he considered a threat to the Jewish nation. "Judas is a reflection of anyone who ends up rejecting Jesus," Bock said. "It's a tragic story—not something to shake your finger at, but something to be sad about."

Much more tragic and sad than rehashing an old debate about the legitimacy of orthodoxy.

Collin Hansen is an associate editor of Christianity Today.

Copyright © 2006 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

first page |  2 of 2

share this page

April (Web-only) 2006, Vol. 50