Synopses & Reviews
The most famous traitor in all of history—who was he really, and what does he mean for us today?
In this fascinating historical and cultural biography, writer and broadcaster Peter Stanford deconstructs that most vilified of Bible characters: Judas Iscariot, who famously betrayed Jesus with a kiss. Beginning with the gospel accounts, Peter explores two thousand years of cultural and theological history to investigate how the very name Judas came to be synonymous with betrayal and, ultimately, human evil. But as Peter points out, there has long been a counter-current of thought that suggests that Judas might in fact have been victim of a terrible injustice: central to Jesus' mission was his death and resurrection, and for there to have been a death, there had to be a betrayal. This thankless role fell to Judas; should we in fact be grateful to him for his role in the divine drama of salvation? "You'll have to decide," as Bob Dylan sang in the sixties, "Whether Judas Iscariot had God on his side." An essential but doomed character in the Passion narrative, and thus the entire story of Christianity, Judas and the betrayal he symbolizes continue to play out in much larger cultural histories, speaking as he does to our deepest fears about friendship, betrayal, and the problem of evil. Judas: the ultimate traitor, or the ultimate scapegoat? This is a compelling portrait of Christianity's most troubling and mysterious character.
Synopsis
Discover Catholicism and its role in our worldTeach Yourself Catholicism is a comprehensive guide to the Catholic faith. It begins by focusing on the essential beliefs of Catholicism before delving into the history of the Catholic Church and the roots of its traditions and practices. Considering the key influences in over 2000 years of fascinating history, you will soon have a good understanding of, amongst other things, the role of Jesus and Mary, the Papacy, the Great Schism and the Reformation. Peter Stanford also focuses on the church in the modern world, assessing the Second Vatican Council and the key debates and questions that surround the religion today: Why has the Catholic church been so riled by the Da Vinci Code? How does Catholicism relate to our world today? Is there such a thing as a Catholic morality? Never shying away from difficult questions, Teach Yourself Catholicism is an informative and engaging read.
About the Author
Peter Stanford is a full-time freelance writer and broadcaster. He is a regular contributor to the Independent on Sunday, Independent, Observer, and the Daily Mail and has written many books on Catholicism. He has presented and produced award-winning radio and television programmes and series, including three adaptations of his own books and was the editor of the Catholic Herald.