OnlineBookClub.org

maritzaalston wrote: ↑11 May 2019, 10:13 Inspiration sometimes comes from within. Sometimes listening to someone or witnessing an event may inspire. A book may inspire to learn more or act. In thinking about what inspires me and my journey, it is sharing the knowledge I have gained.

sri varshini303041 wrote: ↑04 May 2019, 01:11 The book holds some controversial theories but, I believe everyone should be given the chance to voice their opinions. There are always several perceptions of religious ideas and figures. Judas's character had so many good qualities but he was judged only by his grave mistake and his greed for wealth. Maybe, it was his destiny to betray Jesus, and we must accept that man's destiny has God's participation. I also must express, that I am not really convinced by the Gnostic theories present in this book.

flaming_quills wrote: ↑10 May 2019, 14:38 There are always two sides to a story and I think the author just wanted to bring out the side that most people had chosen to ignore for so long (almost 2000 years). He made a good attempt, that I have to say.

Sahansdal wrote: ↑06 May 2019, 23:23

srividyag1 wrote: ↑04 May 2019, 21:30 I think the author is interested in presenting his findings, like a research. The effort and time he has put into this work is evident. And the book reads like a scientific paper with references. Considering this, I think the author's inspiration would probably have been the deep rooted hatred of a single man and the curiosity whether he actually was hateful - whether Judas actually deserves the way he is treated. That being said, the author also connects Christianity to gnostic thoughts, so perhaps he was also inspired by their spiritual teaching.

I am a Satsangi with the Radha Soami Satsang Beas, and have been since 1975. That's a long time. My understanding of mysticism has only grown since then. I was a Christian before that, and a 24/7 one, living with brothers in a brothers house. I don't do anything halfway! The teachings of RSSB are IDENTICAL to Gnostic teachings, right down to the words they use, if you will believe it. Anami Desh of the Sant Mat Masters, the Region with no name, is "the region never called by any name" in the Gospel of Judas. How is that for a match! Yes the cosmology is the same. Even Paul "knew a man" (likely James, not himself, as so many may think) who went to the third heaven. Sant Mat and Gnostic teaching hold that there are seven heavens. The ticket to ride is the Word (Bible), or Unspoken Melody (Sant Mat), the Apophasis Logos of the gnostic Gospels of Thomas and Judas. Btw, this is the Name of the Lord in the Tanak (Old Testament). It is all the same teaching!!!

SavannaEGoth wrote: ↑17 May 2019, 21:38 It could be a multitude of things. People are naturally curious, and sometimes aren't satisfied with a single point of view. We poke and prod and push our noses into different sources of information to build our own ideas and beliefs. There's nothing wrong with healthy curiosity, or wanting to know "why?" I myself am drawn to tragic or antagonistic characters. I've always been a fan of themes of betrayal and "the bad guy." There's always some kind of motivation, or something going on psychologically that influences their behavior and actions overall. Why not place Judas' story under the lens? It can be interesting to learn multiple sides of an account, and may improve your knowledge or even shatter the reality you'd built in your own mind in regards to some event or character.

Vickie Noel wrote: ↑16 May 2019, 16:06

sri varshini303041 wrote: ↑04 May 2019, 01:11 The book holds some controversial theories but, I believe everyone should be given the chance to voice their opinions. There are always several perceptions of religious ideas and figures. Judas's character had so many good qualities but he was judged only by his grave mistake and his greed for wealth. Maybe, it was his destiny to betray Jesus, and we must accept that man's destiny has God's participation. I also must express, that I am not really convinced by the Gnostic theories present in this book.

I don't think it was anyone's particular destiny to betray Jesus, it was just a prophecy written and could have fallen on anyone else who set himself up in a position to be the one. It was Judas first and personal choice to betray Jesus, thus, allowing the previously made prophecy to fulfil in his account.

sri varshini303041 wrote: ↑04 May 2019, 01:11 The book holds some controversial theories but, I believe everyone should be given the chance to voice their opinions. There are always several perceptions of religious ideas and figures. Judas's character had so many good qualities but he was judged only by his grave mistake and his greed for wealth. Maybe, it was his destiny to betray Jesus, and we must accept that man's destiny has God's participation. I also must express, that I am not really convinced by the Gnostic theories present in this book.

WaryReader wrote: ↑03 May 2019, 10:42 I think he just wants to get his unorthodox opinion out there. If he knows anything about the Christian faith, he should know that his book conveys a pretty controversial message, but maybe he wants to express something that he found profound and worthwhile in a professional way.

A G Darr wrote: ↑05 May 2019, 16:30 The author is Gnostic and have views that differ from the more broadly accepted beliefs in Christianity. The Gnostic view seems to aim at the Bible not being a history, but a metaphorical guide to salvation and redemption. The idea that Judas was misframed as a betrayer would be very attractive to a Gnostic trying to change the perception of the Bible as a straight history. Judas is a well known character of the Bible. Even individuals without a religion have probably heard of Judas at some point, even if it is just through pop culture references. By choosing such a large figure, and such a polarizing subject, the author would have a greater chance of sowing seeds of interest and curiosity to a broader audience. If he would have chosen a lesser known story, or it he would have sampled several instances of Bible stories being misread, I feel the book would have lost its gravitas.