Gospel of Judas: Jesus & Jews Revisited

It looked like just another Easter for faithful Christians. But the perfectly timed marketing blitz of the 1700 year- old Gospel of Judas by the National Geographic Society and other connected media vendors shattered that expected serenity. The Gospel was discovered in Egypt about 35 years ago. It was circulated among potential buyers and/or scholars for ideas on where it fit . There were no takers until National Geographic and others decided to bring it out of the shadows. Now it is the basis of 2 books, television shows, magazine articles and public exhibitions. The marketing blitz included simultaneous op-ed articles across the country. People associated with the project and others were given media coverage if they provided comment. These included Elaine Pagels, Gary Wills, David Gibson and also priests, rabbis and scholars.

The message of the marketing carried a challenge to the Christians account regarding the part that Jews played in Christ's death. According to the Gospel of Judas, Jesus deliberately used Judas as part of the divine plan for the redemption of mankind. The direct implication was that Jews were not the infamous " Christ-killers" of ancient history.

I never understood the bad rap on the Jews for their part in killing Christ. Jesus was a Jew and his biblical betrayal by other Jews seem to be an event among equals.

But the marketing of the Judas Gospel smacks of a slick public relations make over of the poor image of Jews and Israel . They have gotten their image lumps because of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. At least half of polled individuals blame Israel for the conflict. Therefore if there could be some relief of the guilt that the Jews bare in an historical sense then public opinion might be more favorable in todays conflict.

Note the recent best sellers list in the N.Y Times also show books that challenge traditional understanding of the Bible. Books include, " What Jesus Meant", " Misquoting Jesus"and the blockbuster now in paperback " The Da Vinci Code". PBS is showing an abnormal amount of holocaust and favorable Israel documentaries. It would seem that the Jewish community is working late into the night trying to change public opinion about their place in history .