Dr. Michael Peppard

So I thought I knew we were going until the very end of what you said. So the first part, I thought you meant that Judas is a, Judas's betrayal is a necessary piece of God's will.

So I thought I knew we were going until the very end of what you said. So the first part, I thought you meant that Judas is a, Judas's betrayal is a necessary piece of God's will.

Is that what you meant?

Is that what you meant?

That's not a New Testament quote, though. Okay. Yeah. Dang it. That's okay. So there is a second century text called the Gospel of Judas, which was written and then rediscovered in the modern era, which put a pretty fascinating story, actually, if you want to hear that at some point, the Gospel of Judas story. So here's what I would say to the first part. I would say that

That's not a New Testament quote, though. Okay. Yeah. Dang it. That's okay. So there is a second century text called the Gospel of Judas, which was written and then rediscovered in the modern era, which put a pretty fascinating story, actually, if you want to hear that at some point, the Gospel of Judas story. So here's what I would say to the first part. I would say that

The role of Judas's betrayal in the divine plan of Jesus' death and resurrection is, to me, a total mystery. Here's why. You know, there are so many... the gospels narrate, if you ask the question, why does Jesus die? According to the gospels, like what, what's the, what's the chain of causation that leads to this? There's so many different things that happen, right?

The role of Judas's betrayal in the divine plan of Jesus' death and resurrection is, to me, a total mystery. Here's why. You know, there are so many... the gospels narrate, if you ask the question, why does Jesus die? According to the gospels, like what, what's the, what's the chain of causation that leads to this? There's so many different things that happen, right?

The Pharisees are out to get him for, for these various reasons. He may have some guilt by association with John the Baptist, who was already beheaded, you know, earlier in the story. Um, he disrupts the temple. He, people think some people think he's the next King David, um, There's all these reasons why it might, you know, if he blasphemes before the Sanhedrin.

The Pharisees are out to get him for, for these various reasons. He may have some guilt by association with John the Baptist, who was already beheaded, you know, earlier in the story. Um, he disrupts the temple. He, people think some people think he's the next King David, um, There's all these reasons why it might, you know, if he blasphemes before the Sanhedrin.

But where do we fit Judas into that chain, that chain of causation? Like, how does it, how do we fit that into either the historical context? chain, or especially how do we fit that into the divine or the kind of purpose of the death, right? Because then you have all these heavenly why questions of like, well, it's because God wills it. It's because the Messiah is supposed to suffer.

But where do we fit Judas into that chain, that chain of causation? Like, how does it, how do we fit that into either the historical context? chain, or especially how do we fit that into the divine or the kind of purpose of the death, right? Because then you have all these heavenly why questions of like, well, it's because God wills it. It's because the Messiah is supposed to suffer.

It's because Isaiah prophesied that it would go this way, right? But the Judas part just it just mystifies not only me, but a lot of theologians throughout history, because it doesn't feel like something that God should do. It feels like, why would God plant this particular mode in the historical chain?

It's because Isaiah prophesied that it would go this way, right? But the Judas part just it just mystifies not only me, but a lot of theologians throughout history, because it doesn't feel like something that God should do. It feels like, why would God plant this particular mode in the historical chain?

Yeah, yeah. Good. No, you're right. The hardening of Pharaoh's heart is a great example. Like, why does the divine will act in these ways on earth and through human causation? But I feel more comforted when I'm confused by that mystery because it's been confusing all the way back, right?

Yeah, yeah. Good. No, you're right. The hardening of Pharaoh's heart is a great example. Like, why does the divine will act in these ways on earth and through human causation? But I feel more comforted when I'm confused by that mystery because it's been confusing all the way back, right?

So the very existence of this gospel of Judas narrative is an attempt theologically to reckon with the role of Judas. Yeah. Maybe Judas is an insider. Maybe Judas has access to the divine will. Maybe Judas is a key player in a secret way that the other disciples don't get. And so the gospel of Judas in part is a narrative and a reflection on that.

So the very existence of this gospel of Judas narrative is an attempt theologically to reckon with the role of Judas. Yeah. Maybe Judas is an insider. Maybe Judas has access to the divine will. Maybe Judas is a key player in a secret way that the other disciples don't get. And so the gospel of Judas in part is a narrative and a reflection on that.

But as to resolving it, Mark, I'm afraid I don't have a resolution for it.

But as to resolving it, Mark, I'm afraid I don't have a resolution for it.