Dawn Bonker
If all they have ever said about Judas Iscariot is true — that he was the greatest betrayer of all time; that he was actually a hero who carried out Christ’s plan; that he was a manipulator, a freedom fighter, a liar, a villain, a demon, or just a guy who was caught in the middle of one of the great dramas of all history – he would be one of the most complex figures of all time. There are some who insist he was a real person, and others who say he’s a type or archetype, not a real man at all. In any case, Judas is one of the most puzzling, divisive and fascinating figures in Western thought and religion.
Marv Meyer, Ph.D., chair of Chapman’s Religious Studies Department, will take on the role of Judas in the final event in Wilkinson College’s “A Night With…” series, on Tuesday, April 6 at 7 p.m. in the Fish Interfaith Center’s Wallace All Faiths Chapel. Admission is free and open to the public.
”A Night With…Judas Iscariot” will be a multimedia presentation featuring Dr. Meyer performing readings from the New Testament, the Gnostic Gospel of Judas and other texts, as he gives insight into the complexities of Judas. Was Judas really the embodiment of evil? Was he as bad as people think? How was he used as an excuse — for centuries — for anti-Semitism? How has he been portrayed in popular culture, in “Jesus Christ Superstar,” pop music and etc.?
Dr. Meyer was a member of the National Geographic team that translated the 2nd-century A.D. Gnostic manuscript “The Gospel of Judas” from Coptic, and is one of the world’s foremost experts on that text and on texts about Jesus outside the New Testament. He is the author and editor of numerous books about ancient texts and religion, including
The Gospel of Judas
;
The Gospels of Mary: The Secret Tradition of Mary Magdalene
;
The Gnostic Bible
; and the recently released
The Gospel of Thomas, An Illustrated and Illuminated Manuscript
(with Carol W. Nichols). He frequently appears as an expert commentator on television programs on The History Channel, National Geographic Channel, Discovery Channel and others.
I’m driving over from Prescott, Arizona for this event. It should be a fascinating event. I invite others to meet me there, especially if you live closer to Chapman University than do I. — Michele McFadden
I have read Dr. Meyer’s book on Judas and find it to be a dedicated and intelligent work without the slightest bit of arrogance. The author writes with a concerted focus addressing the pivotal question of what does the text mean way back then versus the simplistic action of applying a present day’s notion of how it should be understood. Sadly, most of today’s practicing faiths, not simply Christianity, fail to address that or those significant question(s). Another way of putting the question is: “What did that text, which we now hold very significant, mean at the time when it was first written?” Once that question is first seriously addressed one is then finally being true to that text as much as one is currently able. Once that level of work is accomplished one is then ready to begin to seek for a contemporary meaning. In many cases, no contemporary application will apply. It does not mean the material is not significant but rather, under the current systems/circumstances, etc. that paradigm does not apply. The previous statement just made does not diminish the significance of the text but draws light on what one should more truthfully glean from that same text material.
To the people of the world, im a man of god, and on a mission to speak the truth. Im after the enemy that took control of peoples mind, i give this warning to whomever harbors the enemy, don’t go to sleep. Im coming through the night like a thief, to steal the enemy from you. 2 chronicles 7:14 and luke 1:17, this is the season to plant the seed of faith and have a positive mind. Thank you and god bless
God obviously doesn’t like apostrophes…