The Gospel According to Me

"The National Geographic Society released yesterday the first modern translation of the ancient Gospel of Judas, which depicts the most reviled villain in Christian history as a devoted follower who was simply doing Jesus's bidding when he betrayed him." - Washington Post

No doubt this news will cause much sensation. But should this surprise us? While this may be mildly newsworthy, do Christians need to confront, embrace, attack, disclaim or uphold this newly revealed Gospel of Judas? In other words, does this news even matter to those of us who call ourselves Christians 2 millennia after the fact?

In my opinion, you can find all the gospels you want. “New” gospels and texts are nothing new at all. It seems as though each generation writes its own gospel anyway, so 13 sheets of ancient papyrus doesn’t surprise me any more than those who preach their own gospel today. There’s already the Book of Mormon, the Social Gospel, the Prosperity Gospel, the Donate-Money-to-a-Televangelist-and-You’ll-Be-Rich Gospel, the God Hates Fags Gospel, the Inclusive God Gospel, the Gospel of Works, the If-It-Feels-Good-Do-It Gospel, and my favorite, the My-Gospel-Can-Beat-Up-Your-Gospel Gospel.

So bring on the papyrus, the Greek, the Coptic, the Aramiac, the lost and found, the scrolls, the theologians, and the doubters. New texts and new spins on old texts are a dime a dozen. Certainly Christians must decide which Bible or which parts of the Bible they will allow to shape their 20th century faith. Maybe some will hop on the Judas bandwagon and find rich meaning there. Maybe some will have fun blowing hot air as they rail against extra-cannonical writings.

Sensationalism always has a home in religion. The Shroud of Turin, the James ostuary, tours of the Holy Land, and the three ring circus that is TBN won’t fade from our American Christian landscape anytime soon. And it all keeps me entertained. (Who needs cable when you can hear interpretations of tongues in thousand dollar suits on TBN?)

In the meantime, I’ll sit back and remember and try to live out my version of the gospel that I find most relevant and meaningful to my life: a man who was filled with God who came to show us that the path to victory was in defeat, the path to glory was paved with service, and the path to righteousness was via giving yourself away.

I’m helping with an artistic prayer space remembering the last words of Jesus. My text is Luke 23:46, “Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.” In my opinion, there is a difference between one who quits and one who surrenders. Surrendering is at the heart of the gospel, although war terminology is becoming increasing popular among American news-whore Christians. To these believers I say (in the gospel according to me), "Get over yourselves and surrender to emulating the Jesus of Nazareth. Because in my opinion, you’re following the Gospel of Earthly Glory, which is just as extra-Biblical as the Gospel according to Judas."