National Geographic has made finding the Gospel of Judas its top story of 2006. It beat out such Science stories as August's demotion of Pluto to just being one of 40 dwarf planets and February's discovery of a "Lost World" in Indonesia with its previously unknown species of kangaroos, birds and bugs.The Gospel of Judas manuscript dates back to the third or fourth century A.D., it is thought to be a Coptic, or Egyptian Christian, translation of a Greek text written sometime prior to 180 A.D. In this gospel, the Apostle Judas Iscariot is not a traitor but a hero, the chosen disciple. Jesus Christ asks Judas to betray him to the authorities.
In the early centuries A.D. diverse texts were circulated. Texts, such as the Gospel of Judas, were no longer copied when Christianity coalesced around New Testament Gospels. With St. Irenaeus calling the alternative texts 'fictitious histories' the manuscripts were either destroyed or hidden. The Gospel of Judas was so succcessfully hidden it remained so for 1700 years.
The Sciences Division will be hosting its seventh biennial Ontario Christian Schools Science Fair for Grades 7 and 8 at the Redeemer University campus on Thursday and Friday, April 12 and 13. Dr. Humphreys will be presenting his well-loved show, which is open to the public, on the Thursday evening.