Hey folks,
As many of you already know, much attention has already been given to the recent find and publication of the Gospel of Judas. It was lost for nearly two millennia, and now it occupies an important place within recent biblical studies research. Regardless of one's faith, the document nevertheless provides us with more clues regarding some of the ancient communities who called themselves Christians, and their beliefs regarding Jesus and those closest to him. Yes, the text tells us a few things, but what I find particularly fascinating about the whole craze is not the document or its contents, but the way our modern (or ("post-modern") world has received it. As such, I think that our reaction to the gospel of Judas tells us something about our culture and how we see the world, the Church and our relationship with both.
I think it would be safe to say that most Christians are not impressed with the gospel of Judas -- if not disgusted with the way Judas and Jesus are portrayed. They go against the Church's deepest beliefs and convictions. Who could expect otherwise after centuries of relentless efforts to affirm the basic doctrines they lived and sometimes died for? Besides, if the "Iscariot Jesus" really wanted to be liberated from his body, why couldn't he just poison himself? This is to say that even if we were to adopt the Gnostic hatred for the physical world, the acts of Judas are nevertheless superfluous to the whole task of liberating Jesus from his body. The whole thing is not only heterodox, but also goes against good reason. So much for gnosis (knowledge)! Anyway, the Church's reaction is no big surprise. On the other hand, others are so fascinated with the whole gospel of Judas that they are willing to buy into it. Some even feel sorry for Judas and how the Church has negatively portrayed him.
What generates these kinds of responses from the secular world? I think the simple answer is: the secular world. While the gospel of Judas was long forgotten in an old cave, the world experienced the Church as the powers-that-be for over 1000 years, coinciding with the historical period often referred to as the Dark Ages. Following this age, the world experienced the kind of "resurrection" that didn't really need Jesus, namely the Renaissance: a rebirth in the arts, literature and science. A rapid and fruitful development in the latter led to the rejection of traditional values and beliefs. This, in the 18th century, gave way to the Age of the Enlightenment. This important philosophical movement emphasized the unaided light of reason and empirical observation in the pursuit of knowledge. Talk about the kind of "spark" the ancient Gnostics could only dream of! As a result, the Church not only lost its influence on the modern world, but also its credibility in both theory and practice.
Much has transpired in the last 200 years, so it would be foolish to brush off what followed the Enlightenment period until now. Moreover, many in recent decades have gone as far as rejecting the modernist ideal ("post-modern" thinkers such as Derrida, Foucault, Rorty). Nevertheless, negative attitudes towards the Church constitute the ongoing trend among many people in the world, one deeply rooted in distrust. Who can forget the religious justifications of brutal wars and massacres, the period of intellectual despotism and the economic injustices? Unfortunately, many in the world cannot forget such instances in the history of the Church. What is worse is that few in comparison remember the ancient Christian creeds. What matters for the skeptics are not the beliefs of the Church, but her sins against humanity. As a result, one can very well see why the Gospel of Judas, as subversive and nonsensical as it is, draws the kind of attention it does in our times.
Camardicus
I think it would be safe to say that most Christians are not impressed with the gospel of Judas -- if not disgusted with the way Judas and Jesus are portrayed. They go against the Church's deepest beliefs and convictions. Who could expect otherwise after centuries of relentless efforts to affirm the basic doctrines they lived and sometimes died for? Besides, if the "Iscariot Jesus" really wanted to be liberated from his body, why couldn't he just poison himself? This is to say that even if we were to adopt the Gnostic hatred for the physical world, the acts of Judas are nevertheless superfluous to the whole task of liberating Jesus from his body. The whole thing is not only heterodox, but also goes against good reason. So much for gnosis (knowledge)! Anyway, the Church's reaction is no big surprise. On the other hand, others are so fascinated with the whole gospel of Judas that they are willing to buy into it. Some even feel sorry for Judas and how the Church has negatively portrayed him.
What generates these kinds of responses from the secular world? I think the simple answer is: the secular world. While the gospel of Judas was long forgotten in an old cave, the world experienced the Church as the powers-that-be for over 1000 years, coinciding with the historical period often referred to as the Dark Ages. Following this age, the world experienced the kind of "resurrection" that didn't really need Jesus, namely the Renaissance: a rebirth in the arts, literature and science. A rapid and fruitful development in the latter led to the rejection of traditional values and beliefs. This, in the 18th century, gave way to the Age of the Enlightenment. This important philosophical movement emphasized the unaided light of reason and empirical observation in the pursuit of knowledge. Talk about the kind of "spark" the ancient Gnostics could only dream of! As a result, the Church not only lost its influence on the modern world, but also its credibility in both theory and practice.
Much has transpired in the last 200 years, so it would be foolish to brush off what followed the Enlightenment period until now. Moreover, many in recent decades have gone as far as rejecting the modernist ideal ("post-modern" thinkers such as Derrida, Foucault, Rorty). Nevertheless, negative attitudes towards the Church constitute the ongoing trend among many people in the world, one deeply rooted in distrust. Who can forget the religious justifications of brutal wars and massacres, the period of intellectual despotism and the economic injustices? Unfortunately, many in the world cannot forget such instances in the history of the Church. What is worse is that few in comparison remember the ancient Christian creeds. What matters for the skeptics are not the beliefs of the Church, but her sins against humanity. As a result, one can very well see why the Gospel of Judas, as subversive and nonsensical as it is, draws the kind of attention it does in our times.
Camardicus
4 comments:
Flesh,
You recurringly mention that part of what drives our western culture into embracing all these ideas and notion (that the Church is appaled by) from its lack of trust in the Church. No doubt, we have committed some stupidities along the way. But don't you think you may be a little simplistic here?
Bro,
Simplistic? Definitely. After all, I only wrote 700 words. As a wise man once said "demons are always legion." There's never one cause in anything. There are definitely many factors that account for the way the modern (or postmodern) world is taking to the most occult of theories.
The cultural and philosophical pendulum swings back and forth -- nothing new. In history, there have been periods of certainty and those of skepticism, back and forth...etc. Yet, the whole lack of trust in the Church has persisted for some time now. Are we in a post-Christian era? Anyway, I wouldn't even go that far.
There are MANY Christians around the world. The problem is that Christianity doesn't generate a lot of media attention unless there's some scandal or wacky theory against it. The heathens only give the world a better show, but that doesn't mean orthodoxy isn't strong. Therefore, it's NOT the whole world that distrusts the Church... I wouldn't go that far.
My main point in mentioning the dark side of Church history is simply the fact that we cannot expect people to give a damn for the creeds when the acts (especially the bad ones) speak louder. That's just the way our memory works...
Camardicus
Agreed, only remember the following: tens of thousands of airplanes take off safely from hundreds of airports around the world every single day of our lives. Yet, only the ones that crash make front cover news. So at some level, while some would harbour ill-will at the church (hence the reason for their interest), I would venture to say that for most the issue is ultimately the human tendency to concentrate on the scandalous and controversial. The church should not take any of this personal.
JC
Flesh,
I agree. As I commented on Dave's blog concerning the latest hype of the person of Jesus, the media gets a kick out of Jesus, but they do so because scandals sell better than the "old news" of the Christian faith.
People want breaking news, and are willing to buy into what the media has to say as if it were some kind of divine oracle. They equate "news" with pure facts. Again, to take your analogy of airplane travel. It's a matter of trust. Liken the Church's darkside in history with the event of 9/11. Maybe skeptics are just not willing to get on board the Ecclesial Jesus Airlines right now after what happened. I believe in the Church with all my heart, but I understand why some don't see it the way we do.
Best,
Camardicus
Post a Comment