The Gospel of Judas, Critical Edition: Together with the Letter of Peter to Phillip, James, and a Book of Allogenes from Codex Tchacos (Hardcover)

~ Rodolphe Kasser (Author), Gregor Wurst (Author)
Key Phrases: lower fragments, immortal realm, disci ples, Gospel of Judas, Christianity Turned, Nag Hammadi (more...)

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Product Description

For the first time in a single volume, discover the complete text of Codex Tchacos—the remarkable ancient papyrus book that contains the Gospel of Judas. Hidden for 1,600 years in an Egyptian cave, only to be found, traded, and all but destroyed before its restoration began in 2001, Codex Tchacos contains four texts that shed important light on the ancient world and the emergence of Christianity.

Featuring beautifully rendered, full-color photographs of the original papyrus pages alongside the Coptic text and its English translation, this critical edition provides everything needed for a full examination of the Codex. The Letter of Peter to Philip provides a mystical, Gnostic picture of Jesus; the text entitled James presents Jesus discussing the meaning of life and death with his brother James; the Gospel of Judas casts a new light on Judas' betrayal; and the previously unknown book of Allogenes, though fragmentary, portrays Jesus as a stranger who brings light to a world of darkness. Ideal for the scholar and layperson alike, these texts are published here by an international team of scholars and supplemented by insightful introductions, indices, and other revealing, explanatory essays.

About the Author

Introductions, Translations and Commentary by Rodolphe Kasser, Marvin Meyer, Gregor Wurst and Francois Gaudard.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic; Critical edition (June 19, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1426201915
• ISBN-13: 978-1426201912
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #220,464 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Much remains to be said on this "gospel", February 22, 2008

By	Paul Stevenson "Linguist" (Silver Spring, Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

We have just gone through this gospel in a graduate Coptic class, in which we have also consulted some of the scholarly literature that has been generated since National Geographic published its rather rushed initial translation in 2006. To say the least, the translation and interpretation of this work are very far from settled. The trend in the scholarly world is to look with considerable skepticism on the notion popularized by National Geographic, namely, that Judas is portrayed as good.

In order to arrive at an informed judgment about this work, one must understand both the Coptic language and a lot about Sethian Gnosticism. One must study the usage of many words, both Coptic and Greek, in other related Coptic texts. (Coptic liberally borrows Greek words, and often uses them in ways somewhat tangential to their usual Classical and even Koine uses.)

This so-called critical edition includes translations in both English and French. There are quite a few differences between the two, some of them quite significant. Rodolphe Kasser, the author of the French translation, has a number of translations that are closer to interpretations suggested by scholars in the two years since the initial publication of the English translation. He also includes many informative notes that are lacking in English. The English translation is but little changed from the original, and it thus retains some decidedly infelicitious renderings. However, any reader who wishes to be more fully informed must consult the scholarly literature. General readers, as well as scholars, can benefit from books such as April DeConick's The Thirteenth Apostle: What the Gospel of Judas Really Says. It offers a very different perspective on the interpretation of the text, and also makes some important points about mistranslations in the original published version.

In spite of the cautions I am voicing here, if you are seriously interested in the Gospel of Judas, this "critical edition" is essential. It has photographs of the manuscript pages as will as transcriptions and translations. It is not the last word on the subject, but it is an indispensable part of the ongoing debate.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Everything it's cracked up to be, March 8, 2008

By	Alan J Wescoat (The Nether Veil) - See all my reviews

This book is everything it's cracked up to be. It's good either for the scholar or the casual reader. Those who wish to read the entire extant manuscript will find it here. This is the best form of preservation for this rare manuscripts What is missing, however, is commentary about the contents of the text itself. The author apparently decided that all readers would be familiar with the meanings of obscure terms like aeons as they are used in the context this work. Whatever the reason for that presumption, I will need to look elsewhere for an explanation that should have been provided. However, otherwise this text is excellent.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent material for delving deeper, September 10, 2008

By	Texas Rose "Roseanna" (ALBANY, GA USA) - See all my reviews

If you want to delve deeper into Christian history and belief, then this is the book for you. Written so that a layperson can read and understand, it is an amazing collection that adds depth and richness to Christian belief.