Judas Iscariot
How or Why Did GOD Forgive Judas Iscariot?
One day some friends visited me and my wife. There was a program on TV about killing Jesus. One of our friends is a Christian and her husband is an Atheist.
As we were watching the TV program, the Atheist said that he did not believe what he was watching. I said that I didn’t believe it either.
He said, “But you are a Christian. I thought that you believed that stuff.”
I said, “I am … but watching TV shows for information is just about as dangerous as believing that everything on the Internet is true.
“A lot of what we are seeing here is more for drama than for truthful revelation about Jesus’ betrayal and his killing.”
Then I told my friends that the writers of the killing Jesus story did not correctly portray Jesus’ relationship with Judas and that Jesus had actually directed Judas to go put his betrayal into action.
My Christian friend said, “I sure would like to know where you found that in the Bible. I don’t think Jesus said that at all.”
I told them that I would do a little search to find out where that information is in the Bible.
My little search has turned into this little booklet. As I was doing my research, I realized that maybe a whole lot of other people are not aware of this information either.
What is my authority for writing this little booklet, and am I a theologian? My authorities are the Holy Spirit and the Bible.
And, yes … in my view, I am a Theoretical Theologian, but that might be similar to saying that I am a lawyer. Does the USA Supreme Court always vote with 0 to 9 … or 9 to 0 on its decisions?
No … why not? If they don’t all vote the same … don’t they all know the law?
Anyway, the term “theoretical theologian” might be a reflective or redundant expression.
Theology seems to be the study of ideas, and their meanings, but not so much about the facts with clear meanings.
When I started this little book I had intended for it to be a little information piece about 2 -3 pages long.
The more I wrote, the more I realized that some additional information was needed to help construct an understandable premise.
I realize that many people who read this book will not be Christians and will not understand who some of the characters are in the short booklet.
However, it is a sure bet that almost everyone has heard some reference to Judas Iscariot as a traitor.
This booklet is not meant to be an exhaustive study and revelation about Judas Iscariot.
There are only two questions raised in the title, and I had intended to simply give the answers to the two questions and then fly away.
Many Christians can fill in the blanks, but I soon realized that many other non-Christians might like to know a little bit more about Christianity.
Then, I realized that many Christians do not even read their Bibles and they also will not have the depth to understand what is being presented without a little additional information.
Before I realized it, I had written ten times more than I had intended. My wife noted that I “was at it again,” meaning that I did not know when to stop writing.
My problem is not “writer’s block.” What I need is “writer’s brakes” to know when to stop.
I know this subject is going to catch quite a few people totally off guard, but I know that most theologians will immediately recognize the premise of the questions and answers … even if they do not agree … and that is OK, too. Why? … because this is not a soul-snatching gotcha question and answer.
When Jesus Christ was dying on the cross he prayed to GOD to forgive the people who were killing him: “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:24
In like fashion, a careful reading of the scriptures will provoke a similar question about Judas when he went to betray Jesus … “Was Judas really in control of what he was doing?”
My answers … and reasoning … are in the book below. But, I will tell you beforehand that GOD had NO choice except to forgive Judas. See if you agree with my reasoning.
This book is available on Amazon in both eBook and Print Book versions … but only the eBook’s URL links can be directly clicked and accessed. However, many people just like to have more print books on their bookshelves … and collectors like them, too.
- God Forgave Judas Iscariot – But How? Why? … eBook Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6BA3UZ
- God Forgave Judas Iscariot – But How? Why? … Print Book Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/1728709903