Originally posted by lucifershammerAre all other things equal though? How could one tell?
I'm not saying it's an absolute law - more a rule of thumb or heuristic - something that I would expect to hold all else being equal.
Corinthians and John are not exactly comparable, are they? I mean, they belong to two distinct genres of literature.
Originally posted by lucifershammerComplicating the matter, the word for "betray" ("paradidomi"😉 used in conjunction with Judas's actions may mean "hand over" in many or all instances.
They do [apparently] contradict each other on some factual matters - but none of the Gospels says Judas was "an ok kind of guy". Mark, considered by many to be the earliest of the canonical gospels, mentions Judas three times (3:19, 14:10 and 14:43). In the first two citations, Mark explicitly says that Judas betrays Jesus; the third citation is the a ...[text shortened]... rden.
EDIT: And I cannot see how the word "betray" implies "an ok kind of guy", do you?
See William Klassen, "Judas: Betrayer or friend of Jesus," Fortress Press, (1996).
Originally posted by PawnokeyholeParadidomi need not necessarily imply treachery, as you point out. However, treachery is one of its meanings. Lk 6:16 uses prodotes, meaning "traitor" to refer to Judas.
Complicating the matter, the word for "betray" ("paradidomi"😉 used in conjunction with Judas's actions may mean "hand over" in many or all instances.
See William Klassen, "Judas: Betrayer or friend of Jesus," Fortress Press, (1996).
Originally posted by lucifershammerSo, one unambiguous word against the thrust of an entire, albeit admittedly later, Gospel. At the very least, we must conclude that exactly what Judas was up is open to legitimate alternative interpretations.
Paradidomi need not necessarily imply treachery, as you point out. However, treachery is one of its meanings. Lk 6:16 uses prodotes, meaning "traitor" to refer to Judas.
Originally posted by lucifershammerWhat factors do you think the Synodic Gospels are more accurate than The Gospel of Thomas? Or, for that matter that they predate it?
What factors do you think make it more likely that the 2nd century Gospel of Judas is more historically accurate than the four 1st century canonical Gospels?
Originally posted by lucifershammerThe Oxyrhyncus papyri are indeed venerable (2nd century) but highly fragmentary. It appears that the oldest complete version of the New Testament is the Codex Sinaiticus, believed (ahem) "originally to have been one of 50 copies of the scriptures commissioned by Roman Emperor Constantine after he converted to Christianity" (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4739369.stm).
http://www.textexcavation.com/gospelmanuscripts.html
Originally posted by Bosse de NageSo?
The Oxyrhyncus papyri are indeed venerable (2nd century) but highly fragmentary. It appears that the oldest complete version of the New Testament is the Codex Sinaiticus, believed (ahem) "originally to have been one of 50 copies of the scriptures commissioned by Roman Emperor Constantine after he converted to Christianity" (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4739369.stm).