Does the book change your religeous beliefs?

[Karen Crumley]

If one book could change your religious outlook then, in my opinion you are not strong in your faith. So, the answer to the question, for me, is no.

Well said.
Those are my sentiments, exactly. It's one thing to have convictions but be open-minded to hearing/reading the theories other people have to say.
But, a whole other thing to be "wishy-washy" and flip flop in your beliefs due to every little thing you read.

It's all about convictions.

[Helena91]

Well, if what you seek is a direct answer, then it's definitely a NO for me. The book did nothing to my beliefs.

[Chrystal Oaks]

No, it doesn't. I felt that the author supported his points poorly to begin with; the texts he presented seemed to be twisted or warped to fit with the point that he tried to make. Although I don't doubt that he himself believes the claims he advances, I didn't see the resounding "proof" that he does in his interpretation of the supplementary texts, especially since he relied so heavily on taking passages that made sense in literal form and making them into strained, slightly nonsensical metaphors in order to promote his views.

I agree with you. I also thought Wahler compounded his confusing logic with the added parentheses, brackets, and italics. By the time I finished wading through those extras, I was left scratching my head.

[Elizabeth Pass]

I've heard and read better arguments that haven't shaken my faith. Admittedly, I haven't been able to finish the whole book, but what I have read has given me no reason to change my beliefs. I'm glad to see that seems to be the prevailing opinion.

[babcockar]

I was raised Christian, and I still identify as a Christian. I have taken many Bible classes in high school and college. This book doesn't really shake my beliefs about Judas and his part in Christ's story. While I do think that the canonical Scriptures offer a kind of redemption for Judas, I don't think that it is on this level of redemption.

[Balazon2000]

I think it's also perceptions. I can see a circumstance where something would ring true based on how you perceive the evidence. I just don't buy the authors perception.

[Ferdinand_Otieno]

I think it's also perceptions. I can see a circumstance where something would ring true based on how you perceive the evidence. I just don't buy the authors perception.

Me too.

[ayomie]

It does not change my beliefs in any way. Everyone has a right to their opinion and so does the author.

[Ferdinand_Otieno]

It does not change my beliefs in any way. Everyone has a right to their opinion and so does the author.

perfectly said, everyone has a right to their religious beliefs and opinions.

[Adedayo+23]

As compelling as the author's argument was, the book neither shook nor changed my religious beliefs.

[DogoMulla]

If one book could change your religious outlook then, in my opinion you are not strong in your faith. So, the answer to the question, for me, is no.

I totally agree! If the book changes your beliefs then you already had doubts and were leaning that way. If your faith is strong nothing will change or shake it.

I SECOND! Anyone can write and research about anything nowadays. We must stand firm. It wont be the first time something is said or written that contradicts THE TRUTH and it wont be the last.

[Tiffanyli]

Although the book does raise a great deal of interesting point in terms of belief, everyone looks at a topic differently. As someone who is neutral on the topic, it doesn't change my opinion but it definitely did pique my interest. It just shows that everyone has different beliefs that come from different places. It's hard to say who's right and wrong. So you never know, maybe he did make the ultimate sacrifice and maybe he didn't. But I definitely thought it was an interesting take on the topic that I never considered.

[Essie_Reviews]

Interesting question. Personally, it doesn't make sense to me that while Jesus dying is the ultimate sacrifice-- needed to save us from our sins, Judas, who's the reason Jesus was apprehended by the Romans, is looked at as a traitor. Judas is instrumental to Jesus carrying out the Will. To argue that Jesus wasn't supposed to die is to also argue that we weren't to be saved from our sins. In which case, are we then arguing that the Lord didn't want that for us and the Judas a wrench in His plans? But that then also means that the Lord could not foresee Judas betraying Jesus, which, if the Lord is omnipotent, just can't be the case.

Either way, though I was raised Christian, I no longer follow the religion and while a read like this might make anyone question their stance on their religious beliefs, I've always felt that the plot between Jesus and Judas and perceiving Judas as a traitor was an odd one at best. It's really interesting finding books that look at doctrine in a new light, looking to interpret things in a new way. I'm glad you brought this question up because it seems a lot of people are ready to discuss how these new interpretations make them feel.

[Nyambura Githui]

No it doesn't change my beliefs. The book is only theories and not enough proof. I think Judas did play an important role ,but as a traitor, because Jesus had to die on the cross for us. I don't think Judas was another Master.

[kwame1977]

It's hard for a book to change my religious beliefs. I am always able to grade and review the book based it's contents. I've held on to my religious beliefs since my childhood and will be difficult to change.