www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Scripture and Patristic Writings Academics Decry handling of 'Gospel of Judas' by Nat Geographic

For anyone who remembers the dustup when National Geographic released the "Gospel of Judas" publicity back in 2006, you might find this article of interest. It is a report on an academic conference held recently that criticized both the accuracy of the translation from the Coptic and the propriety of the methodology used by National Geographic throughout.

Chronicle report on conference on "Gospel of Judas" [chronicle.com]

Very interesting article. As a scholar, linguist, and educator, and seminary hopeful, this was a very interesting read.

I saw the National Geographic show. I found the story interesting but perhaps because of my pretty solid Catholic theological upbringing, once I heard the word "gnostic", I pretty much gave up on believing anything the text reported could actually affect two millenia of Church teaching.

Interesting though -- Judas is presented as the most trusted apostle, but then it's disputed that he's actually a demon banished to the 13th aeon. Some gnostic beliefs would make a pretty cool sci-fi flick.

Some academics seem to be grasping at straws when seeking credible alternate narratives apart from orthodox Christianity.

How much weight do these academic exertions have in the public? What are the consequences of "Da Vinci Code" on its fans sense of Christian history?

Though I have skimmed a few, I haven't studied the apocryphal works yet, Gnostic or not. I may when I feel securely grounded in Scripture and the Fathers, but then it would be more for academic and apologetic reasons.

Terry

Scripture speaks about people seeking so called teachings that 'tickle their fancy'.