Synopses & Reviews
Judas Iscariot has been demonized as the quintessential traitor, the disciple who betrayed his master for the infamous thirty pieces of silver. But the recent sensational discovery and publication of the long lost
Gospel of Judas, with its remarkable portrayal of Judas Iscariot as the disciple closest to Jesus, raises serious new questions. Was Judas the only member of the Twelve who truly understood Jesus? Did Jesus secretly collaborate with Judas to set in motion the series of events that would redeem all of humankind? In search of answers, Marvin Meyer, one of the world's leading experts on the
Gospel of Judaspresents a collection of the earliest accounts of Judas, which together paint a fuller portrait of this most enigmatic disciple.
This book presents the essential texts that deal with the figure of Judas, including New Testament writings, Gnostic documents, and other early and later Christian literature. These are the earliest known testimonies about Judas and include selections from the gospels of Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John, the Acts of the Apostles, and relevant passages from Paul. The centerpiece of the book is the Gospel of Judas, followed by excerpts from three other Gnostic texts—the Dialogue of the Savior, the Concept of Our Great Power, and the "Round Dance of the Cross"—which may shed new light on the figure of Judas. A series of additional writings on Judas produced over the centuries provide glimpses of the vilification of Judas and the emergence of anti-Semitic themes.
Meyer offers evidence of traitors before Judas—the Genesis story of Joseph's brothers who sold him inn sixty "reformer on the mat" exercises -- each one brilliantly illustrated -- in an inspiring self-guided program that adapts to all experience levels and requires nothing more than floor space, an exercise mat, and the desire to look and feel your best. Using the Pilates method of engaging the strongest parts of the body, or the "powerhouse" (Joseph Pilates's term for the abdominals, hips, lower back muscles, and buttocks), and integrating all other body parts from this core, Lyon's program targets trouble spots for men and helps them achieve strong, lean, masculine physiques.
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Synopsis
The recent discovery and publication of the longandndash;lost Gospel of Judas, with its remarkable portrayal of Judas Iscariot as the disciple closest to Jesus, sold a tremendous number of books on that particular manuscript, and has provoked popular interest in reconsidering the figure of Judas as presented in a wider variety of ancient texts and traditions. Much like what Meyer's Gospels of Mary did for Mary Magdalen, Gospels of Judas will provide all the ancient texts that mention or discuss Judas together in one place for the first time, and will present a radical picture of Judas as a favorite disciple, not a betrayer, on the basis of careful historical and literary analysis.
About the Author
Marvin Meyer, general editor of this collection, is one of the foremost scholars on Gnostic traditions, the Nag Hammadi library, and texts about Jesus outside the New Testament. He is Griset Professor of Bible and Christian Studies and director of the Albert Schweitzer Institute at Chapman University in California. Among his recent books are The Gnostic Gospels of Jesus: The Definitive Collection of Mystical Gospels and Secret Books about Jesus of Nazareth; The Gospels of Mary: The Secret Tradition of Mary Magdalene, the Companion of Jesus; The Gnostic Discoveries: The Impact of the Nag Hammadi Library; The Gnostic Bible; and The Gospel of Judas.