Official Review: Misreading Judas by Robert Wahler

[Catalina Isabel]

This seems like an interesting book analysing the history of Judas and telling the story in a different light. I do agree that there are many spiritual Masters e.g. many religions have their own so it makes sense. However, I had never thought of Judas as one. Thanks for a great review! And congrats to the author on BOTD!

[Harty Muli]

I think the number of views about the messiah are as varied as the number of religious sects in the world. I think this is an insightful look into this issue.

[Omobolanle Savage]

Wahler's emphasis on understanding the Gnostic orientation necessary to interpret the Gospel of Judas adds depth to his argument. The comparative analysis with Eastern spiritual teachings adds another layer of insight. The review highlights the book's dense but convincing logic. #Compelling

[Oceegee Chika Oroke]

Interesting but seems to be controversial. These sensitive claims about Jesus and Judas may offend a lot of people. I really can't take a stand now until I have read the book and taken time to assess certain things. I would like to know the areas the Christian scholars got the interpretation of the Gospel of Judas wrong, and I would like to know more about this gnosticism.

[Ailakhu Yusau Aizhebiomon]

Today's book of the day isn't my kind of book. But I think the author has done great work by giving a different perspective to the story of Judas. Congrats on #BOTD!

[Helen Akoth]

I like that this book provides a new interpretation of the relationship between Jesus and Judas. What I know about Jesus and Judas are based on Bible Scriptures. I am looking forward to reading it from the author's perspective. Thank you for this wonderful review!

[Youngreader720-OluwabukunmiWilliamsOso]

The book challenges traditional beliefs about Jesus and Judas by offering a unique perspective based on Gnostic texts. While his ideas are intriguing, it is important to approach them with skepticism and consider the perspectives of other scholars.

[John Ikenwanze]

This book is excellent for Bible scholars and readers interested in mysticism and biblical history. Congratulations to the author on making BOTD.

[Liza Chulukhadze]

I have read many religious books but have never come across anyone questioning our understanding of the matter. I think this book is offering us a new perspective and it would be very interesting to read what the author has to say.

[Carina Callegaro]

I may not agree with everything the writer has depicted or come to conclusion. But I enjoyed the "Debate" as referred to in the review. I like how the writer analyzed historical facts and information, the narration is impressive and collective with much information in the minimal amount of page provided. Thank you for the review, I enjoy the information you compiled and presented about the read.

[Ivana_5]

This is book telling a biblical about Juda and Jusus on modern ways. Descriptions road of faith and new era Easter. This is book a born new religion and say us how is hard to success on goal, how people to bealive and be religious. Juda can't beleved. Bat this book description Easter Master, and how author views is life of Juda, cams religious and more.

[Rebecca De Figueiredo]

The reviewer does a good job with a summary. There are many questions that beg answers within the bible, the enigma of Judas being one of them. It seems like a heavy read, and would be enjoyed by theologians.

[Lina Semo]

[Following is an official review of "Misreading Judas" by Robert Wahler.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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What if someone provided proof that our long-held beliefs about Jesus of Nazareth were incorrect? Author Robert Wahler is attempting to do just that with his 2016 non-fiction book, Misreading Judas: How Biblical Scholars Missed the Biggest Story of All Time. The author’s thesis offers a new interpretation of the relationship between Jesus and Judas. Wahler asserts the story of Judas was not a betrayal and sacrifice of Jesus at all but rather a self-sacrifice by Judas as part of the Gnostic tradition called mastership succession. The author’s research holds both Jesus and Judas in a very different light from that of orthodox religious teachings. Could Jesus really have been merely one in a succession of many spiritual Masters?

The Gnostic Gospel of Judas was likely composed by second-century Gnostic Christians. The surprisingly intact papyrus containing the text first surfaced publicly in 1970. It reveals conversations between Jesus and Judas Iscariot. Wahler claims no one has correctly translated the Gospel of Judas until his research emerged. He faults the Christian scholars who initially interpreted the text, saying they were ignorant to the Gnostic orientation necessary to adequately understand the ancient writings. In Eastern spiritual traditions, mysticism is the practice of spiritual knowing (gnosis) through meditation and other vehicles for merging with Spirit. A longtime student of Eastern mysticism, Wahler insists the story of Judas and all of the Gnostic Gospels must be interpreted through the lens of mysticism.

In addition to Gnostic texts and the New Testament, Wahler’s comparative analysis draws from the work of Eastern spiritual teacher Maharaj Charan Singh. From this viewpoint, Wahler contends when Jesus tells Judas to “sacrifice the man who bears me,” he is referring to a mystical sacrifice, not the physical sacrifice of Jesus. In the mystical interpretation, Jesus is telling Judas that he (Judas) will sacrifice his individual self to become one with his spiritual Master. This form of self-sacrifice is a traditional practice by the Gnostics of that time. In addition, the author asserts that Judas is the same person as the lesser-known apostle, James the Just. If they are one in the same, according to Wahler, then the Judas-as-betrayer story was a cover for what really happened: James (Judas) succeeded Jesus as Master.

Robert Wahler maintains that the mystical self-sacrifice by Judas, and his subsequent mastership, was misinterpreted and “inverted” by biblical scholars to hide the uncomfortable truth that other great Masters preceded and succeeded Jesus. The simple existence of a succession of Masters through self-sacrifice challenges the conventional knowledge of Jesus’ role in history. Wahler is not saying that Jesus wasn’t a prophet and great spiritual Master. He is saying Jesus wasn’t the only one and that he didn’t die for anyone’s sins. Wahler challenges, “There is no reason to think that the New Testament canon is the original text of the story of the first-century Master, Jesus Christ.”

For a relatively short book, 102 pages, Misreading Judas delivers volumes worth of sound comparative analysis. It is packed with quotations and line-by-line examination. I thought I might tire of the density but found I was fascinated by Wahler’s methods and conclusions. Misreading Judas is not an easy read but is worth the effort. Some of the logic is complicated but at the same time convincing.

Wahler’s writing is clear and easy to follow. The book’s organization facilitates the reader’s understanding of the material. Divided into four sections, the book traverses The Gospel of Judas, The Nag Hammadi Library, The New Testament, and resources on mystic readings of scriptures. Considering the complex punctuation required for the dense quotations, parenthetical and bracketed insertions, I was surprised that there were so few errors. The editor gave impeccable attention to precision in grammar and punctuation. A summary at the end of the book reviews the passages of text that directly support the thesis. Both the summary and Wahler’s concluding remarks help to connect the dots. Note: In deference to Eastern mysticism, Robert Wahler capitalizes the word “Master” in his book. I have done the same for consistency.

Wahler is not entirely alone in his progressive positions. Some cursory research on my part revealed that there is growing consensus among religious scholars for Wahler’s view of Judas as beloved and obedient disciple, rather than betrayer. The author’s belief in the succession of Masters is, however, another story. This is where he is out on a limb. Save non-Christians and very progressive theologians, support for this conclusion is less enthusiastic, to be sure.

I rate Misreading Judas: How Biblical Scholars Missed the Biggest Story of All Time 4 out of 4 stars. If you are open-minded and are interested in biblical history or Eastern mysticism, I think you will be fast captivated by this book. If you are outraged by Wahler’s conclusions, you might enjoy being engaged in what can only be described as the debate of the millennia.

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Misreading Judas
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This is a fantastic and educated review. I can tell you are well versed in the Bible and religious text and I am amazed by how well you connect many concepts together in a summary of the book.

[Amarachi Stephanie Ejike]

It is impressive how the title just calls out to you like a watchtower light. "Misreading Judas" by Robert Wahler attempts to present a new interpretation of the relationship between the biblical Jesus and Judas. He asserts that the story of Judas was not a betrayal and sacrifice of Jesus, but rather a self-sacrifice by Judas as Gnostic tradition believes. The books holds its own which many readers may find interesting, but I have a different belief about this subject and will not be reading this.

[Juliet Ezihe]

An interesting review. I am not completely familiar with the gnostic mystic theology, but I am one of those who believe that Judas's role in gospel stories has, perhaps, been misinterpreted. The guy gets a bad rap that he doesn't really deserve! I don't know if I'll jump tor had this one just yet, since I'm looking for some lighter fare. But this is a compelling review.

Yes, I recommend something else for lighter reading. But if you are interested in the story of Judas, I think you would enjoy this, when you are in the mood for religious academia. Thanks so much for taking the time to read the review and comment.