My social media has been abuzz with a “newly found” gospel and claims that will revolutionize the church. It’s not the first time these things have gone around in circles.
What is this new gospel? It’s the gospel of Judas. Will it truly revolutionize the church? Let’s examine that claim.
Despite the claims of some, this “gospel” is not news to the church. One of the early church fathers, Irenaeus, spoke of it around 180 AD. So, what did he have to say about it?
“They declare that Judas the traitor was thoroughly acquainted with these things, and that he alone, knowing the truth as no others did, accomplished the mystery of the betrayal; by him all things, both earthly and heavenly, were thus thrown into confusion. They produce a fictitious history of this kind, which they style the Gospel of Judas.”
This so-called gospel was already known to be fictitious 1800 years ago. It was the work of one of the groups of heretics known collectively as “Gnostics” from the Greek gnosis or to know.
Gnosticism was an early religious movement that taught salvation comes through secret, hidden knowledge (gnosis) rather than faith or grace. Gnostics believed the material world was not created by the true, highest God, but by a lesser, flawed divine being called the Demiurge — often identified with the God of the Old Testament. Human souls were seen as divine sparks of light trapped in corrupt physical bodies, longing to return to the true spiritual realm above. Salvation, in this view, meant awakening to one’s divine inner nature and escaping the material world entirely.
The early Church firmly rejected Gnosticism because it contradicts core biblical truth — that God created the physical world and called it “very good” (Genesis 1:31), that Jesus came in real flesh (1 John 4:2), and that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone, not hidden knowledge (Ephesians 2:8-9).
This pseudo-gospel was written by someone holding a faith that, from its inception, held differing beliefs from those of Christians. It is not Scripture, any more than many of the other false gospels that pop up periodically, such as the Gospel of Thomas, The Secret Book of James, The Gospel of Mary and many others. It was written by a false prophet.
There is nothing “new” about these gospels. From the earliest days of the church, they have been recognized as non-Christian, heretical works at best, total fiction at the worst.
The church will not be shaken to its core by this revelation. No doubt there will be some scholars who jump on the bandwagon and embrace it, but many of the same scholars already deny the authority of Scripture, many of Jesus’ teachings, and even the resurrection. They are Christian in name only.
We need never worry about these attempts to “change” or discredit the faith. They are nothing new. Scripture warned us that these things would happen.
And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:11-14
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 2 Peter 2:1-2
God is not surprised by the “sudden revelation” of this “newly discovered” book. His Word is not suddenly void because of the uncovering of an old heretical document. He remains God. He remains in control of all things. His Word is still the measure of truth.
If the gospel of Judas does not match up with the inspired Word of God, then it is the gospel of Judas that is wrong.
The Word is truth and that will bring attacks to try and discredit it, but God remains sovereign.
Until next time, rejoice that we have God’s inspired Word available to measure the counterfeit against.
Be blessed
Kevin
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