Unknown Judas revealed

NEW and hitherto unknown information has been received by Dr. Aurelio A. Aquiatan Jr. from the spirit called Gabbey about the recently released translation of the Gospel of Judas discovered in the 1970s near Minya, Egypt.

Jun Aquiatan, a professor of business administration in a university in Pangasinan, has been receiving important spiritual messages through automatic writing since 1995 from an entity that calls himself Gabbey.Although Gabbey never identified himself, we suspect he is Archangel Gabriel because he communicates with Aquiatan only on Mondays and has profound knowledge of the spirit world.

In previous messages I wrote about in my book, “More Encounters with the Unknown,” Gabbey revealed the connection between the seven psychic centers or chakras (which he referred to as the seven power stations) and the Seven Sacraments, the Seven Last Words of Jesus, the 10 Commandments of God and the seven virtues.

It’s been quite a while since we heard from Jun Aquiatan and Gabbey. When the translation of the Gospel of Judas was released by National Geographic Society in April, my former assistant, Frances Gloria, asked Jun if there was anything Gabbey had to say about this controversial manuscript. Gabbey’s reply reveals information not found anywhere else and also confirms others already known before. But let us review what is currently known about the Gospel of Judas before talking about Gabbey’s new revelations.

Coptic
The Gospel of Judas is based on a manuscript found in the ’70s and brought to light recently by nine scholars commissioned by National Geographic. The manuscript, which made its way to the National Geographic team after a circuitous path of sales, counter sales and alleged pilfering, is written in Coptic, the language of the early Egyptian Christians. It was radio-carbon dated between 220 and 340 AD. Scholars believe it is a translation of an earlier Greek text probably dated between 130 and 180 AD.

Catholic Bishop Ireneus of Lyon, France, referred to the Gospel of Judas in his diatribe against heretics in the year 180 AD. So we know there really was such a gospel. We also know there were many other gospels circulating at that time, aside from the four gospels of Luke, Mark, Mathew and John, the only ones officially chosen and approved by the Catholic Church.
The choice was by no means unanimous. More than 100 bishops disagreed with the official stand and they were quickly banished by Emperor Constantine who convened the Council of Nicea in the year 325 AD precisely to define what Christians should believe.

No villain
In the newly revealed gospel, Judas Iscariot does not appear to be the villain and the betrayer he has always been portrayed in Christian teachings. On the contrary, he seems to be the hero who helped fulfill Christ’s mission by delivering him to his enemies.Judas also appears to be the only apostle who truly understood Christ more than any other apostle. That’s why Jesus chose him for that important task. Jesus also revealed to Judas secret teachings about the universe that were not given to the other disciples.

In this regard, Judas shared with Mary Magdalene the unique privilege of being the only recipients of secret knowledge from Jesus Christ. Why Judas was specially chosen to deliver Christ to his enemies was revealed in the message from Gabbey to Jun Aquiatan on April 17 which would be discussed later.

According to a news report by John Allen Jr. from Rome, “In the roughly 3,000-word text, of which large chunks are missing or indecipherable, Judas emerges as a hero. Jesus says Judas ‘will exceed all of them who are baptized,’ because Judas ‘will sacrifice the man that clothes me,’ a reference to the Gnostic belief that the body is a mere set of clothes, and the essence of the person is the immortal soul.”

What does the Gospel of Judas say about Jesus and his teachings? The website of National Geographic provides some glimpses. In Codex page 37, Jesus is shown to be laughing quite a lot. He is not at all the serious and reserved person portrayed in the official version of the Catholic Church.

Laughing Christ
“In the Gospel of Judas,” says National Geographic, “Jesus laughs quite a lot, particularly at the absurdities that dictate the rules of human life. But he also laughs at how seriously—and without question— the disciples take such things as prayer, offering it not because they want to but because they believe that their God really expects to be praised in such a way.”

Why would the son of God laugh at these things? “Because the Gospel of Judas is a Gnostic gospel, an early form of spirituality that focuses on gnosis, the Greek word for ‘knowledge.’ Gnostics believe in mystical knowledge, a knowledge of God that allows them to be one with him and to communicate directly with him without an intermediary. Such beliefs were in direct conflict with members of the emerging orthodox church,” which became a monolithic religious organization in the 4th century.The Gnostics were persecuted by the dominant orthodox church and their teachings condemned as heretical, their books burned and destroyed.

In Codex page 37 of the Gospel of Judas, “Jesus seems to be criticizing those who preach in his name but whose proclamations lack substance or fruitful content.”

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IN Codex page 40, “The conflict between the Gnostics and the orthodox church is reflected in how Jesus sees the church and its questionable doctrine. The disciples have a vision of the temple, which Jesus explains in allegorical terms. He compares what they see in the temple to the wrong message coming from the emerging mainstream church.

The disciples, he explains, are akin to a temple priest, or ‘minister of error,’ one who expounds inaccurate teachings.”

The big mistake the emerging Christian church made then was to see only the outer or exoteric aspects of Christ’s words and teachings, completely ignoring the hidden or esoteric meaning.

That’s why the accepted teaching lacks substance, leading to erroneous knowledge, although the church insists it is the only correct interpretation.
By crushing any form of dissent or opposition, the mainstream church succeeded in consolidating its power within the hierarchy of the priesthood. Only they can interpret the teachings. All the rest are heretical.

But the people who wrote down the Gospel of Judas and the other Gnostic writers did not think they were being heretical. In fact, it was the other way around.

Deviation
Followers of Christ called Gnostics considered the teachings of the mainstream church heretical. In their belief, it was the Orthodox Church that deviated from the true teachings of Christ.

Codex page 56 says, “…You will exceed all of them. For you will sacrifice the man that clothes me.”
In this passage, Christ described how Judas would rank among the other disciples after Jesus’ death.

“According to the Gospel of Judas, the savior is the spiritual being inside Jesus who lives in a spiritual dimension. The physical being of Jesus is a simple covering, much like a clothing that the Spiritual Savior wears in the world. Jesus is essentially telling Judas that, by betraying him—knowingly and at his request—he is being a true friend and allowing the man Jesus to die, so that the Savior can be free to return to his home in heaven. In Gnostic tradition, Jesus neither sees his death as a tragedy, nor as a necessary act to save the world from its sins.”

No wonder the Catholic Church in the Philippines is denouncing the Gospel of Judas as heretical and is downplaying its significance.But the church, by doing this, only arouses the curiosity of the faithful who have been conditioned merely to obey the dictates of the church and not to question its pronouncements. The church indeed has a lot of explaining to do.

Shocking
As if these new data about Judas Iscariot were not enough, the entity Gabbey brought out more shocking revelations that, although they could not be independently verified, were at least consistent with Gnostic and New Age beliefs.

The entity Gabbey revealed to Jun Aquiatan the following pieces of secret information about Judas Iscariot that were completely unknown before:

“The account in the life of Judas during the time of Christ was not written by Judas himself but by people who knew the story through Judas’ disciples.”

According to Gabbey, “Judas did not kill himself. He just withdrew from the rest of the apostles. He went away and formed a group that also preached about Christ.”

The news that he killed himself was circulated “so that Judas’ act would be forgotten.”“It was Judas’ men who circulated the news, not the apostles,” according to Gabbey.

Aquiatan asked why there were no records or documents of Judas and his group preaching about Christ.

Gabbey replied documents would be found later regarding this. “In fact, some fragments have already been found, but not yet shown to the world. These documents, together with others, would really shock the world.”

“Did Judas really betray Jesus or was he really asked by Jesus, in order to fulfill his mission?” Jun asked Gabbey.

Brothers
Gabbey said the initial agreement was reached by Judas and Jesus in one of their past lives when they were brothers.

“Jesus, as true man, had a human soul that kept reincarnating. When this human soul had already perfected itself after several reincarnations, it was used as a human vehicle for the Divine to manifest in this world. That Divine Being was called Christ. Remember that God is a spirit. He has no material body. The Divine spirit, who was Christ, used Jesus as human vehicle to be in this world.

“Jesus and Judas... were (in a previous life) the only children of a couple who lived in Egypt. They were orphaned at an early age and survived through farming. Due to their closeness, they swore they would help each other and, if one should be in need, the other would help even at the expense of his own life.

“Now, when they met again during the time of Christ, that agreement was revived. But it was only Jesus who remembered it, having the power to read past lives, while Judas did not know this. So, Jesus asked Judas’ help to fulfill his mission.”

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“SO why did the Bible depict Judas as a traitor?” asked Jun Aquiatan.

“Only the four gospels that are in the present Bible depicted Judas as a traitor. However, there are other writings aside from the four gospels that narrated (differently) and these are the documents that would be found later.”

“But again, why depict Judas as a traitor, if he was not?” insisted Aquiatan.

“You must understand,” explained Gabbey, “the selection of the gospels was based on similarity to avoid conflicts. That is why the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke are called the synoptic gospels or gospels with the same point of view. Since the gospel of John also portrayed Judas as a traitor, then it was also selected.

“However, there are many written gospels that are not in the present Bible. You see, the Church did not have a system or criteria in the selection of books to be included in the present Bible.“The personal views of those charged with the task of putting up the Bible prevailed. Additionally, the present Bible underwent several changes. Most of those changes were made to suit the intentions of those in charge at that time.”

Meeting
After the resurrection of Jesus, according to Gabbey, he met Judas personally and gave him the task of preaching the gospel in Egypt.

Why Egypt? “Because both Judas and Jesus were from Egypt during a previous incarnation when they were brothers,” explained Gabbey. “You see, Egypt was a very important land even during the time of the Old Testament; the chosen people came from Egypt. When Jesus was sought by Herod, Joseph, with Mary and Jesus, went into hiding in Egypt.“Did you not wonder why, in the Bible, no apostle went to Egypt to preach the gospel? Why should Egypt be left out in preaching the gospel when it played a very important role in the life of Jesus and even with the chosen people?

“Actually, Egypt was not left out because Judas was tasked to preach there. One of Judas’ disciples in fact wrote a gospel for the Egyptians.”

What happened to the mission of Judas in Egypt?

“The disciples and converts of Judas grew and reached far lands,” replied Gabbey. “However, the Christian practices of Judas’ disciples and converts differed from those of the other apostles.”

What was the difference?

“I told you Jesus met Judas after the resurrection. Jesus emphasized the secrets of the kingdom and these secrets were the basis of Judas’ Christian practices.”

What were the secrets?

Key
“Central among the secrets was the activation and use of the Seven Power Stations to gain spiritual enlightenment. I told you several times before the key to the kingdom of God was through the Seven Power Stations. Read Luke chapter 17 verse 21 and it says the kingdom of God is within you. The Seven Power Stations are all within you. All you have to do is to activate them, as Judas preached.”

“I read somewhere the Gnostics practiced self-illumination to gain knowledge and understanding,” said Aquiatan. “Was Judas a Gnostic?”

“The word Gnostic,” replied Gabbey, “was coined later on. Judas himself did not even know the word Gnostic. What he knew was that the practice he taught his disciples was from Christ himself and therefore an original Christian practice.”

After that statement, Gabbey abruptly ended his message by saying, “I believe I have given you enough information. Our meeting ends now.”

No matter how much we may doubt Gabbey’s identity, one thing is clear. The information he gave to Aquiatan about the life of Judas Iscariot was consistent with the newly translated Gospel of Judas and explained a great deal more than what could be found in the Judas gospel itself.It was also consistent with the other teachings of Jesus as contained in the Nag Hammadi papyrus texts, especially the Gospels of Thomas, Philip and Mary Magdalene.

We may not be able to prove what Gabbey has revealed, but they certainly make sense.

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Intellectual dissent and the Church

WHY is the Catholic Church in the Philippines panicking over a work of fiction?

In the last three weeks, sermons of parish priests during Mass attacked Dan Brown’s best-selling novel, “The Da Vinci Code,” as well as National Geographic’s newly released translation of the Gospel of Judas.

Even Opus Dei, which earlier took a “no-comment” stance on the novel, reportedly was preparing an official answer to Brown’s fictitious portrayal of that organization as a murderous, shadowy and sinister Catholic sect. The movie version of the book will have a premiere on May 18.

Frankly, I couldn’t see what the fuss is all about. For me the “Da Vinci Code” is a cleverly written and exciting thriller with a religious theme. Some of the topics the author raised are admittedly based on speculation and fantasy. But a number of them are historically true.

The novel has been attacked vehemently by the religious community for a number of supposed theological and historical errors. But every fiction writer is entitled to a certain degree of poetic license. Brown is no exception.

Insulting
It is part of a healthy democratic society to have differences of opinion. The problem with some apologists of the Church is that, in their attempt to discredit the novel, they tend to insult the author rather than stick to the issues.

One Catholic critic, for example, questioned Brown’s motives, saying he was only after the money, that’s why he chose a controversial subject. Another said the author “is obviously anti-Christian.”

Gee, all that Brown probably wanted to do was entertain his fellow Christians while provoking serious thought and stimulating discussion about the bases of their religious beliefs. Why should this produce so much anger and hostility from the religious hierarchy?

The problem, as I see it, is that the Catholic Church throughout its 2000-year history has never encouraged independent thinking and intellectual dissent among members. The faithful have always been treated like small children who cannot think for themselves. The Church cannot stand being questioned about its doctrines.

It is a matter of historical record that since the early formation and consolidation of the Christian Church in the fourth century, those who disagreed with official teachings were persecuted and banished by ecclesiastical authorities. Opposing beliefs were considered heretical, meaning, “not in conformity with the official teaching.” Worse, they were regarded as “false” or “erroneous” teachings.

Inquisition
The Church even established the dreaded Inquisition to run after heretics and burn them at the stake. Hundreds of thousands were put to death on mere suspicion of being either a heretic or in league with the devil, including the innocent and great warrior Joan of Arc.

At that time, the Church could easily impose its beliefs on the mostly ignorant people and prevent them from knowing other opinions because it had control over all means of communication. This is no longer possible today because of so many alternative sources of information available to the average Christian.

Although the office of the Holy Inquisition has long been dissolved, a good number of priests and the Church’s followers still have not gotten rid of the inquisitorial mentality. They still maintain a quaintly medieval way of thinking.

One local dentist, for example, who proudly calls himself a “defender of the faith,” recently lambasted Elaine Pagels, who has a doctorate degree in Religion from Harvard University, for her views on the Gnostic Gospels and the Gospel of Judas.

Elementary
When I heard him speak during a symposium on the “Da Vinci Code” sponsored by a publishing house, I asked myself, “Between a doctor of dentistry and a doctor of religion, who should we believe when it comes to religious questions?” Elementary logic provides the obvious answer.

The Church has really nothing to worry about. Filipino Christians will not lose their faith because of a novel, or because of a newly found gospel, which deviates from the official teachings.

But Christian priests and ministers should be prepared to answer the many questions that the thinking population is bound to ask.

For example, why were Mary Magdalene, John the Baptist and Judas Iscariot marginalized by the Church when they all played very important roles in the life and mission of Jesus? Why was Peter chosen to head the apostles when it was to Mary Magdalene that Jesus gave that assignment after his resurrection? Why do women play a very minor role in the Church, when Jesus obviously accorded them a special place when he was alive? What was the real relationship between Mary Magdalene and Jesus?

Jesus never once declared himself God. Who then declared him so? Is it not true that the books constituting the present Bible were decided by several councils beginning with the Council of Nicea in the year 325 AD? Weren’t there so many gospels existing at the time? Why were only four chosen? What was the basis for the choice?

Several hundred bishops attending the Council of Nicea disagreed with the official choice of what should constitute the Bible. They were promptly banished by Emperor Constantine with the obvious consent of the Pope. Is this a correct course of action sanctioned by God?

Many more questions will be asked by the faithful which should be addressed by the Church.


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In defense of ‘The Da Vinci Code’

DAN Brown’s hugely successful and controversial novel, “The Da Vinci Code” (40 million copies sold), has received a lot of flak lately, mainly from the conservative Catholic church and her apologists.They believe (falsely, of course) that the book undermines Christianity and may lead astray the faithful.

According to one critic, a historian named James Hitchcock (as quoted in the book “The Da Vinci Hoax,” by Olson and Miesel):
“‘The Da Vinci Code’ can be viewed as an ephemeral artifact of popular culture, but its immense sales ensure that it will have influence on people who never read serious books. Brown has found a formula for becoming rich: sex, sensationalism, feminism, anti-Catholicism and the occult. But it is also obvious that he sincerely hates Christianity and sees himself as engaged in an anti-crusade. The culture is ripe for such a debased book, so that even professing Christians are being seduced by it.”

What is obvious to me in the above quotation is not that Brown “sincerely hates Christianity” but that Hitchcock is biased in his opinions, which is not expected of a historian.

What really irks blind followers of Christianity and its Medieval-thinking defenders about the novel is clearly stated in “The Da Vinci Hoax”:

“‘The Da Vinci Code’ challenges beliefs that are central to Christianity: the celibacy and divinity of Jesus, the place of the apostles and the purpose of the Church. The novel insists that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene and had children, that Mary Magdalene—not Peter—was the head apostle, that Catholic Church has kept these ‘facts’ hidden through force and terror, and that Jesus was not truly divine but merely a good man ‘deified’ by Emperor Constantine in AD 325.”

Facts
The fact is Brown’s book is fiction. He himself says so. The only things Brown claims to be factual in his book, as he himself states before the story begins, are the following:

“The Priory of Sion, a European secret society founded in 1099

“The Opus Dei, a deeply devout Catholic sect that has just completed construction of a US$47 million national headquarters at 243 Lexington Ave., New York

“All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents and secret rituals”

Not one of the reviews critical of the book published in the local press ever mentioned what Brown himself said about his intentions and his work. So, for a change, let’s hear from the author himself.

In an interview that appeared in Evolve Magazine (Vol. 3, No. 1) published by Bodhi Tree Bookstore in Los Angeles, Brown answers the following questions:

Q and A
What made you decide to tackle a controversial subject?
“Strangely, I don’t think I ever actively ‘decided’ to tackle a controversial topic. I chose this topic for personal reasons—primarily as an exploration of my own faith and my own ideas about religion. I believe that one of the reasons the book has become controversial is that religion is a very hard thing to discuss in quantitative terms. I consider myself a student of many religions. The more I learn, the more questions I have. Deciding to write about this topic was simply part of my own personal quest for understanding.”

How did you get all the inside information for this book?
“Most of the information is not ‘inside’ as it seems. The secret described in the novel has been chronicled for centuries, so there are thousands of sources to draw from. In addition, I was surprised how eager historians were to share their expertise with me. One academic told me her enthusiasm for ‘The Da Vinci Code’ was based in part on her hope that this ancient mystery would be unveiled to a wider audience.”

Has anyone in organized religion come out in support of your novel?

“Yes, many people in organized religion have come out in support of this novel and, of course, many have come out in opposition as well.

“The opposition generally comes from the strictest Christian thinkers who feel the idea of married Jesus serves to undermine his divinity. While I don’t agree with this interpretation, this is immaterial because the dialogue itself is a deeply empowering and positive force for everyone involved.

“Suddenly, enormous numbers of people are passionately debating important philosophical topics and, regardless of the personal conclusions that each of us draws, the debate can only help to strengthen our understanding of our own faith.

“Much of the positive response I get from within organized religion comes from nuns (who write to thank me for pointing out that they have sacrificed their entire lives to the Church and are still considered ‘unfit’ to serve behind the altar).

“I have also heard from hundreds of enthusiastic priests. While many of them disagree with some of the ideas in the novel, they are thrilled that their parishioners are eager to discuss religion.

“Fr. John Sewell of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Memphis stated it particularly eloquently in the press, saying: ‘This [novel] is not a threat. This is an opportunity. We are called to creatively engage the culture and this is what I want to do. I think Dan Brown has done me a favor. He’s letting me talk about things that matter.”

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