The Gospel of Judas : from Codex Tchacos Kasser, Rodolphe.
Title:
The Gospel of Judas : from Codex Tchacos / edited by Rodolphe Kasser, Marvin Meyer, and Gregor Wurst.
Publication info:
Washington, D.C. : National Geographic, c2006.
Physical descrip:
185 p. ; 22 cm.
Contents:
Introduction / by Marvin Meyer -- Gospel of Judas / translated by Rodolphe Kasser ... [et al.] -- Commentary: Story of Codex Tchacos and the gospel of Judas / by Rodolphe Kasser ; Christianity turned on its head : the alternative vision of the gospel of Judas / by Bart D. Ehrman ; Irenaeus of Lyon and the gospel of Judas / by Gregor Wurst ; Judas and the gnostic connection / by Marvin Meyer.


The Gospel of Judas : from Codex Tchacos Kasser, Rodolphe.

Summary

It was condemned as heretical in 180 CE, lay hidden in a cavern, found by farmers in 1970, sold, resold, and sold again. Upon discovering it at the turn of the twenty-first century, experts authenticated it, conserved it, interpreted it and here published it. Bound to be controversial in both provenance and content, this version of the story of Jesus and Judas Iscariot follows the Gnostic tradition; Judas follows the order of Jesus to betray him so he can shed his earthly body and return to a higher order of spiritual beings. This includes an English translation of the text, followed by commentary by experts hailing from the U. of Geneva, Chapman U., U. of Augsburg and the U. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on the history of the text, its alternative vision, its condemnation, and its connection with Gnosticism. Annotation #169;2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

CHOICE Review

The National Geographic Society has a hit, or rather two hits, on its hands. Both books are certified best sellers, and the topics of televised specials, along with countless reviews, features, editorials, and Op-Eds. Many are aware of the cloak-and-dagger intrigue that accompanied the discovery and publication of the Gospel of Judas, and of the genuinely startling view it presents of the New Testament archvillain, Judas Iscariot. Since the volumes are reasonably priced and well written, they can be heartily recommended for purchase (preservation of the somewhat breathless attestations of the dust jackets is optional). What is left to ponder is the observation that libraries really do need to purchase both books, the result no doubt of deliberate calculations by National Geographic. In almost all respects, The Gospel of Judas contains everything readers could ask for, including the remarkably prompt publication of a translation of the gospel itself. (The speed of this enterprise--a matter of five years between the first scholarly contact with the document and the public appearance of a translation--contrasts starkly and very favorably with the more than 50 years separating the first discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls and their complete publication.) This book offers succinct discussions about the modern uncovering of the gospel, its connections with ancient materials, and its "alternative vision" that turns Christianity "on its head."

By contrast, The Lost Gospel is devoted almost entirely to the murky circumstances of the gospel's modern discovery and eventual publication. Although well crafted, the detailed narrative that Krosney (an independent scholar) presents is probably far more than most readers require. But this volume does contain a series of extraordinary color photographs that no reader will want to miss. Were they in The Gospel of Judas, readers might not need to purchase The Lost Gospel as well. A new book by Bart Ehrman (scheduled for 2006 publication) may combine all of these useful features. Finally, one might ask why, in all of these words, no place was found for any dissenting opinions--not about whether the gospel is authentically old (surely, it is), but whether its perspective, once branded heretical, deserves all of the attention being lavished upon it now. At this relatively late date in the publicity campaign, such arguments might be moot (or muted), but they also deserve a hearing. Summing Up: Recommended. Both books. Lower-level undergraduates through faculty/researchers; general readers. General Readers; Lower-division Undergraduates; Upper-division Undergraduates; Graduate Students; Researchers/Faculty. Reviewed by L. J. Greenspoon. From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Gospel of Judas 17
Commentary
The Story of Codex Tchacos and the Gospel of Judas
47
Christianity Turned on Its Head: The Alternative Vision of the Gospel of Judas
77
Irenaeus of Lyon and the Gospel of Judas 121
Judas and the Gnostic Connection 137
Endnotes 171
Selected Bibliography 175
Publisher's Note 179


Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.