Overall rating and opinion of "Misreading Judas" by Robert Wahler

[jimthorne2]

Free will cannot be construed as the ability to create truth out of illusion. My opinion about the Bible is irrelevant to the truth that the Bible reveals. But officer, I didn't know that I was speeding. The officer replies, "Whether you knew it or not, you were speeding. I'll write up the ticket!"

[Ferdinand_Otieno]

This is a discussion topic for the May 2019 Book of the Month, Misreading Judas: How Biblical Scholars Missed the Biggest Story of All Time by Robert Wahler

What is your overall opinion of the book? What do you like most about it? What do you like least? Will you recommend the book to other people? Why or why not?

Please remember to add your actual rating using the book's page on: Bookshelves.

The book is uniquely interesting as it presents a new perspective and ubderstanding to previously held beliefs. I rated the book 3 out of 4 stars.

[Claudiafhlux18]

The Misreading Judas is a book most interested because there are news for the Bible and the scripture but not all know as the gospel. I like this book idea because I like National Geographic documentary there is a different version from original the church.

[THarveyReadALot]

I believe there's a reason the Gnostic Gospels weren't included in the Holy Scriptures/Holy Bible. The Scriptures are true; the Gnostic Gospels can't be proved to be true as far as I know. The Gospel of Judas is portrayed, if I understand right, as a Gnostic Gospel. Only the Scriptures can tell us the truth about Judas the disciple turned betrayer. And Jesus knew that Judas was going to be His betrayer.

[Sahansdal]

It's definitely a book I want to read. I was bummed that the sample only included other people's opinions on the book, as I was really looking forward to getting a taste of things. Still, I think it sounds really interesting. While I don't always agree, I love theories that challenge widely accepted beliefs, because widely accepted beliefs are not always based on fact or logic. But we don't even realize this, because that belief has been so ingrained in us since childhood. A few very powerful people get a hold of some very influential texts and warp them to fit their own narrative - that might not be the case here, but it has been the case in many other things throughout history. If that's what happened, I'd like to be more knowledgeable about it, even though I don't typically read religious or spiritual books. I really want to see what his evidence is and come to my own conclusions.

I believe the Amazon "Look Inside" feature at my booksite there has a fairly long excerpt.

[Sahansdal]

I started this book a while ago. I love the idea behind it, but I wasn't able to fully understand what was being said. That isn't to speak poorly of the author--he certainly did his research, but I think the target audience is very specific. A basic understanding of Gnostic beliefs is definitely a must.

That of course would help, but I tried to write it so a simple comparison, gnostic to biblical, is all that is needed to see dependency, biblical upon gnostic.

[Sahansdal]

I was raised a Christian and spent a lot of time researching the scriptures in depth. Anytime someone has a fresh take on things, I'm usually open and ready. This book has some very unique ideas and I like the idea that Judas has been harshly misjudged all this time. Many non-Christian religions posit the belief that Jesus was just another holy man, and I think it's a conceit worthy of some consideration. The fact that Judas was purportedly accelerating the succession of religious figureheads is fascinating and I think the book has some real value in the theological arena.

Judas was not "accelerating" succession. The character 'Judas' is pure fiction. He was a stand-in for James. Paul was responsible for his murder. Read Dr. Robert Eisenman's work on James. He says Acts 7 describes this event with 'Stephen' as a cover for James. It is fascinating background for my book. In fact, reading his big three books on James (James the Brother of Jesus, The Dead Sea Scrolls and the First Christians, and The New Testament Code) are essential reading to understanding the NT Gospels as fiction. It's a done deal. Just waiting for everyone to catch up. James was a savior. The Church wanted him suppressed for selfish ends.

[Sahansdal]

I was born into a religion with a multitude of gods. I’ve always been curious about Christianity and its history; the role it played in shaping the world’s history. I gather that what the author deals with in this book is a very controversial topic. When I read the sample, it consisted of mostly reviews from other publications. Yet, the introduction itself reads like a research paper. I am curious about how mysticism and Christian beliefs are linked. I am interested in reading this book because I like having a healthy debate about many deep-rooted systems. I believe that any new knowledge that comes to light should be treated with the dispassionate eye of science and research and used for the betterment of humanity.

I had no control where the publisher put the reviews. That is where they said they had to go, and I wanted them in there. (Wouldn't you?) Your attitude is just right. This is new information! I hope it is disseminated widely.

[Sahansdal]

Well Choice, I surprised that you detect Buddhist symbolism. I'm not that familiar with Buddhism but am intrigued by the link.

Lots of people, like this person, are confused and taken in by biblical misinformation. I hope you see more clearly. The new information of the gnostic discoveries are a treasure trove that will in time be appreciated for the pivotal turning-point that they in fact are. Read informative material. Go here: RSSB [dot] org and Scienceofthe Soul [dot] org

It is best for the poorly or only-partially informed to completely avoid reading the New Testament. It is wickedly deceptive. Seriously. For your own good, stay clear! These authors were expert at disinformation!

[Sahansdal]

I found the book compelling. Whaler seems completely sincere and lays out an excellent discussion. There has been a National Geographic TV program a few years ago. Religion is not free from political bias, or church bias, so it needs experts on both sides to present the cdifferent ideas. I recommend it to people who are religious, philosophical and history buffs, as I am sure their is more to learn. It gets 4 out of 4 stars from me.

To illustrate how biased Bible scholars are, the final product from NGS had 7 minutes from the Gospel of Judas in a two-hour TV Special (including commercials) supposedly on the Gospel of Judas. The rest was from the NEW TESTAMENT Gospels, or a history of the discovery. So much for understanding it! How biased can one get? The Gnostics wrote original material. Not so the orthodoxy.

[Sahansdal]

I believe there's a reason the Gnostic Gospels weren't included in the Holy Scriptures/Holy Bible. The Scriptures are true; the Gnostic Gospels can't be proved to be true as far as I know. The Gospel of Judas is portrayed, if I understand right, as a Gnostic Gospel. Only the Scriptures can tell us the truth about Judas the disciple turned betrayer. And Jesus knew that Judas was going to be His betrayer.

Don't just believe everything you read, including the Bible, and me. But after you read my work, you will see you can believe it.

[Susmita Biswas]

The book enlightened an important aspect that has been missing for long time. I liked that courage that the author showed the reality to everyone. But because I don't like religious books that much so I give the book 3 out of 4 stars.

[Nerea]

No disrespect, but the author did touch on a sensitive aspect of Christian faith. Trying to give some credit to what Judas did sounds distorting. As a Christian I find this book to be a threat to my faith. I just read the review of the book and I don't like everything about the book. The author should redo the research on this matter again and bring something that will develop a common ground with everyone. I don't think I'll rate the book.

[ShannonHBC]

I think this is a very interesting book, actually something I had been hoping to find for some time. There's certainly a lot still in the shadows of Christianity. I give it 3 out of 4 stars.

[ReneeBrown]

I have just started reading this book. I am currently on chapter two, which is about 30 percent through the book. My opinion on it so far is that is relies a little bit too much on the idea of the apocrypha, which if you don't believe in that bit, well... then the rest of the books kind of sinks. However, I do think it is really well-written so far, and I'll be trying to finish it within the next couple of days.