I found a book called “Judas Iscariot: Revisited and Restored” by Ivan Roger, and though I have read it once before, this time the authors points seem to be sinking in a bit more.

The general theme of the book is that much of the popular understanding of Judas, and his relationship within Christianity, is colored by theological presuppositions and general bias against him.

It is a difficult book to take seriously at first, for my opinion of Judas has been established via cultural and religious teaching from the very first time I heard of this wicked evil betrayer.  As the author notes, within the western world, no-one names his child Judas due to the association of evil the name carries with it.  He is the ultimate betrayer, a toxic man of shear evil.

Somewhere in Dante’s Inferno, the writer describes Judas’ place in the lowest bowels of hell, being feasted on by Satan himself for all eternity!  Surely there is no place for Judas amongst the redeemed! Such is my opinion, and to be honest, I do not know why I purchased this book. But I did, and I am thankful for the challenge it has put in front of me

As I venture through this book, I will occasionally bring to the reader some interesting points to consider.  For those who have an open mind to consider alternate Christian views on this most hated of the apostles, I would suggest picking up a copy.  I am confident you may read it more than once.

In my next installment, we will consider one of the presuppositions the author brings to the table, and helped me begin to consider an alternate view of and for Judas.  

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