Egan took issue with a U.S. News & World Report magazine story on a controversial new book called "The Jesus Dynasty: The Hidden History of Jesus, His Royal Family, and the Birth of Christianity," by a religious studies professor at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte.
The book by James Tabor claims that Jesus was the son of a Roman soldier and that he wanted to establish a worldwide dynasty led by 12 tribal leaders, with his brother James, rather than Peter, as its leader.
Tabor also takes issue with a translation of an original Greek text, released recently, in which Judas is depicted not as a traitor, but as acting on a request by Jesus to hand him over to the Romans.
Egan didn’t mince words in offering his opinion of Tabor’s book.
"What he has to say is science fiction out of control," the cardinal said.
And, "The one about Judas that has gotten so much attention – I laugh at that one," he said.
Via Speculative Catholic
Well I am not exact sure how this would be science fiction. Theological fiction perhaps or alternate history fiction.
The speech struck a chord with Vince Kastor of Fanwood, N.J., who attends Mass at St. Patrick’s every year with his family.
"Cardinal Egan was in rare form today. This is the first time since I’ve gotten here that he’s talked about current events," said Kastor, adding that he was happy Egan was "leading the flock."
But stances such as Egan’s have turned off Marybeth Sullivan, 35, a saleswoman from Manhattan who was waiting to attend the noon Mass.
"They denied the Gospel of Mary and now they’re trying to debunk the Gospel of Judas," said Sullivan. "Every time current events gives [the church] a chance to reflect and move forward, they’ve made the wrong decision."
Yeah sure Gnostic gospels written long after the death of Jesus are current events. That is if you lived in the third century or so.
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But stances such as Egan’s have turned off Marybeth Sullivan, 35, a saleswoman from Manhattan who was waiting to attend the noon Mass.
“They denied the Gospel of Mary and now they’re trying to debunk the Gospel of Judas,” said Sullivan. “Every time current events gives [the church] a chance to reflect and move forward, they’ve made the wrong decision.”
It is simply amazing how many Catholics want a new religion but are unwilling to bother themselves with leaving the Church and finding one themselves.
The second paragraph was supposed to be italicized too.
It’s amazing how much people will learn about gardening, 60’s hot rods, or packet-switched networks, but will be completely ignorant of the development of the faith which will determine their eternal retirement.
Arius, Nestorius, Pelagius, and Photius are all names that catholics should know, but are never heard of. I actually heard the name ‘Arius’ during the homily on Trinity Sunday. Did anyone else?
Oh brother, here we go, for those who don�t understand let me explain, Jesus came to the notice of the Roman authorities, not when Judas betrayed him, but when he threw out the moneychangers and animal sacrifice sellers from the Temple. Jesus knew that such an action would cost him his life. Let me put it to you this way. The economy of Jerusalem was dependant on the Temple and its sacrifice system. An individual disrupting that system would destroy the economy of the city, if not all of Palestine. Jews from all over the Diaspora where supposed to come offer sacrifice at the Temple. Can you say �tourist town economy�? Crucifixion was a mode of execution reserved for enemies of the sate, enemies of Rome. Had Rome really been threatened by Jesus and his teachings it wouldn�t have been just Jesus up on the cross, but his disciples as well (that is why they were so sacred afterwards.) There would have been thirteen crosses up on the hill; but the Romans felt only Jesus was the problem, because only he disrupted the Temple economy. Some of the Sadducees therefore took the opportunity that now Rome also had an interest in what Jesus was up to, to get rid of him. These Sadducees, though they wanted to get rid of the Roman occupation were not ready to rock the boat just yet. After all, they had been put in their position by the same Roman occupation. Only with a figure that could bring up an army large and strong enough to repulse the Romans were they willing to risk their standing. They were expecting a military Messiah and only under such a winning �horse� were they willing to engage the Roman authorities.
They denied the Gospel of Mary and now they’re trying to debunk the Gospel of Judas,” said Sullivan. Every time current events gives [the church] a chance to reflect and move forward, they’ve made the wrong decision.
Hello, but the Church isn’t trying to debunk anything, as these “Gospels” are old business to the Church and were debunked almost 2000 years ago. It’s just the rest of the world that sees them as “NEW”
So for Marybeth Sullivan, it should be like, every time a newsmagazine frontpages a new “gospel,” the Church should be like, “OOPS! New Creed in next edition of the missalette, folks!” ???
I was wondering if Marybeth Sullivan would be interesting in a couple of items I going to post on Ebay soon.
The first item is a letter written by George Washington to Benedict Arnold thanking him for betraying the Americans to the British. It authentic because Washington came to me in a dream and used my own hands to transcribe the letter. Plus it’s written in that Olde English style, so you know it’s got to be real.
The second item is this really cool photograph of Jesus Christ with all his disciples hanging out. It got one of those Fish symbols in a hologram on the corner which tells everyone it an authentic photo
So remember bid often and bid high
Of course, Jesus was the son of a Roman soldier. That fact was revealed in the great Biblical documentary by Professor Monty Python, “The Life of Brian.”
Pilate: “So, your father was a Woman. Who was he?”
Brian: “He was a centurion in the Jerusalem Garrison, sir.”
Pilate: “Weally? What was his name?”
Brian: “Naughtius Maximus.”
I wasn’t aware that the Gospel of Mary or of Judas had ever been “bunked” in the first place. Why would anyone bother to debunk them?
I’m sure Dark Horse Comics has a story proposing that Jesus was an alien–should we alert the Vatican to update the Catechism?
PVO
Ms. Sullivan is only a symptom of a larger problem. There are, unfortunately, former Catholics or cultural Catholics who have embraced Gnosticism but try to blur the lines. I’m thinking here of neo-Gnostic centres that call their services “Mass” and who mix rosaries and icons with their own practices.
I also came across the following webpage while doing research on Liberation Theology. It saddens me that This particular gnostic group features Fr. Oscar Romero without reference to his Roman Catholicism and Liberation Theology without the understanding that people like Fr. Rutiho Grande based this on Christian beliefs, not Gnostic “knowledge”.
http://www.gnosticcenter.org/liberationtheology.html