Posted on 01/12/2006 7:42:57 AM PST by Alouette
Proposed ‘rehabilitation’ of the man who was paid 30 pieces of silver to identify Jesus to Roman soldiers in the Garden of Gethsemane, comes on the ground that he was not deliberately evil, but was just ‘fulfilling his part in God’s plan, the London Times reports
Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus with a kiss, is to be given a makeover by Vatican scholars, according to the London Times.
The proposed “rehabilitation” of the man who was paid 30 pieces of silver to identify Jesus to Roman soldiers in the Garden of Gethsemane, comes on the ground that he was not deliberately evil, but was just “fulfilling his part in God’s plan,” the London Times said.
Christians have traditionally blamed Judas for aiding and abetting the Crucifixion, and his name is synonymous with treachery. According to St Luke, Judas was “possessed by Satan.”
According to the London Times, a campaign led by Monsignor Walter Brandmuller, head of the Pontifical Committee for Historical Science, is aimed at persuading believers to look kindly at a man reviled for 2,000 years.
Mgr Brandmuller told fellow scholars it was time for a “re-reading” of the Judas story. He is supported by Vittorio Messori, a prominent Catholic writer close to both Pope Benedict XVI and the late John Paul II.
Signor Messori said that the rehabilitation of Judas would “resolve the problem of an apparent lack of mercy by Jesus toward one of his closest collaborators.”
He told La Stampa that there was a Christian tradition that held that Judas was forgiven by Jesus and ordered to purify himself with “spiritual exercises” in the desert.
'Judas portrayed with a hooked nose'
In scholarly circles, it has long been unfashionable to demonize Judas and Catholics in Britain are likely to welcome Judas’ rehabilitation.
The London Times quoted Father Allen Morris, Christian Life and Worship secretary for the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales, as saying, “If Christ died for all — is it possible that Judas too was redeemed through the Master he betrayed?”
The “rehabilitation” of Judas could help the Pope’s drive to improve Christian-Jewish relations, which he has made a priority of his pontificate.
Some Bible experts say Judas was “a victim of a theological libel which helped to create anti Semitism” by forming an image of him as a “sinister villain” prepared to betray for money.
In many medieval plays and paintings Judas is portrayed with a hooked nose and exaggerated Semitic features. In Dante’s Inferno, Judas is relegated to the lowest pits of Hell, where he is devoured by a three-headed demon.
The move to clear Judas’s name coincides with plans to publish the alleged Gospel of Judas for the first time in English, German and French. Though not written by Judas, it is said to reflect the belief among early Christians — now gaining ground in the Vatican — that in betraying Christ Judas was fulfilling a divine mission, which led to the arrest and Crucifixion of Jesus and hence to man’s salvation, according to the London Times.
'Fell headlong'
Mgr Brandmuller said that he expected “no new historical evidence” from the supposed gospel, which had been excluded from the canon of accepted Scripture.
But it could “serve to reconstruct the events and context of Christ’s teachings as they were seen by the early Christians.” This included that Jesus had always preached “forgiveness for one’s enemies.”
Some Vatican scholars have expressed concern over the reconsideration of Judas. Monsignor Giovanni D’Ercole, a Vatican theologian, said it was “dangerous to re-evaluate Judas and muddy the Gospel accounts by reference to apocryphal writings. This can only create confusion in believers.”
The Gospels tell how Judas later returned the 30 pieces of silver — his “blood money” — and hanged himself, or according to the Acts of the Apostles, “fell headlong and burst open so that all his entrails burst out."
Concerning that verse:
Heb 9:27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,
A word study of the word translated "judgment" shows that it more closely means "trial" (as in a judge, jury, sentence, etc) or "tribunal". A judge doesn't just make a ruling without a trial, which is what you seem to be implying from the verse.
There are literally billions and billions who have never heard of Christ, the only name by which people can be saved. These people have never been through a "trial", a time when the evidence is presented and evaluated on how they respond to Christ's calling. Therefore it makes sense that there is a time after death when those who never knew Christ are introduced to him and have gospel preached, and their response evaluated and judged. This is the period of time known as the great white throne judgment in Revelation 20 (see verse 12 specifically).
It's a subtle difference, but essential.
1) By faith we are saved;Faith as small as a mustard seed
2) No sin is greater than another
3) God wishes all to be saved
These things I learned from my baptist upbringing, yet, when the subject of suicide comes along, there is also a subtle difference in what we are taught.
I was taught that suicide is basically murder and after death we can not ask forgiveness, therefore suicides will burn for eternity.
I do not believe that for a second. Suicide, in some circumstances can be an act of redemptive faith. I've said earlier, God sees our heart; our true intent.
I've never said the meaning of the Bible is incorrect, although because we have over 300 different religions that can't even agree on whether baptism is necessary, never the less if it's ok to sprinkle or if one is dunked, in the Trinity or in Oneness. There clearly is conflict and ambiguity.
And that, my friend, is where we lean upon commentators, scholars and apologists. We do not attack the witness of the Apostles or the veracity of Christ.
They've done so well in sorting and seperating the keys to salvation.
****They've done so well in sorting and seperating the keys to salvation.****
If I said something like that on a "Catholic thread," I would get reponses like this:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1558015/posts?page=29#29
or this
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1558015/posts?page=19#19
or this
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1558015/posts?page=28#28
or this
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1558015/posts?page=29#29
You're probably right. I take it you're not Catholic, nor am I, and by your profile take it you lean more evangelical, however can't pin it down. (I do also like the old time radio materials. I was just listening to a collection of old time radio Christmas programs this morning).
You may not be aware of this....but P-Marlowe used to play "Humphrey Bogart" on old time radio and in the movies. You know, the detective. (LOL)....... just kidding.
The wrong Judas article in The Times
Mea culpa - Why it is important to directly read mistranslated texts/ The wrong Judas article in The Times
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1558208/posts
What programs do you like?
Another was a Truth or Consequences done in the fashion of This is Your Life where an injured young military man is healing at the hospital and is brought through the magic of radio hellos from friends and family back home, only the family and his girlfried/fiance are just outside the door. Very touching.
Another is Phil Harris where he gets Jack Benny to play Santa for his children. Also I have one where Basil Rathbone plays Scrooge and Edgar Bergen has Candace on to recite the Night Before Christmas and Charlie thinks Candace is gunning for his job. A particularlly funny line is when Charlie refers to Candace as a pint sized Lucille Ball.
The collection comes from a former radio station I used to work for that changed formats and discarded the tapes. I had given them to my son who enjoyed them as a youth. We used to travel to Florida to visit with my now ex-wifes parents over the holidays (ooops, I'm creating a war on Christmas, so Christmas and New Years :) ) and would listen to books on tape and these radio programs. At age 23 he still listens to them at the holidays and lent them back to me so I could make a copy.
I'm not a regular listener to the shows, but if I hear one on radio I'll listen. I also enjoyed the CBS Radio Mystery Theater when it was playing in the 70's and 80's. Once in a while, I hear a station playing one if I'm traveling.
also;
Act 1:17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
Act 1:18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
Act 1:19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.
Act 1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
The Bible says that it was the reward of iniquity. What he did was a sin. He committed suicide. If Christ had forgiven him he would not have ended up killing himself. Christ forgave Peter who denied him three times and Peter ended up
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A Drive to Clear Judas' Name? Hardly, Says Official:
Msgr Calls Media Reports Baseless
Zenit News Agency | January 19, 2006
Posted on 01/19/2006 8:05:46 PM EST by NYer
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1561272/posts
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