The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-21
SOME OF THE new BOOKS
The G0sDel of Judas IsCariot.

The title of this book suggests something
out Of the ordinary. and such ii is. 1t is
the story Of Judas Iscariot's life told by
himself. and the idea put forward in the
narrative is that Judas was IAN instrument
for the accomplishment Of certain things
that testify of the kingdom of heaven and
OF the power and all-worthiness of our
Divine Master, the well-beloved Son Of
God" The plan of the book is further fore
Swallowed in brief preface purporting TO
have been written by Judas himself, in
which he says:
The weight of testimony dependent much
upon the character of the witness, his pow
er 10 see clearly, TO hear distinctly and 10
rightly apprehend the true meaning of that
which he sees and hears. Unworthy as L
am TO figure in a writing designed TO make
manifest the character, doctrine ana mis-
sion of the Messiah-eXcept that He hath
chosen me out of many to testify OF Hlm-l
shall herein say something of mine own life,
TO the end that those who read these pages,
III any such there are TO be, may know the
manner of man l am-my ability 10 see,
hear and Understandable judge whether |
nave faithfully recorded the WCnder1ul
things l have come 10 know and am yet TO
learn. The end is not yet, but think that
l can already dimly discern, as the mist
crowned top OF mountain great way on.
what it is 10 be like. His kingdom Is not
of this world"
This is a bold plan, and Il is ingeniously
carried out by making Judas relate In the
nrst person the whole story OF his Ire, IN
Guiding all that is known of Judas from the
Scriptures and much besides The story
purports to have been written from time 10
time as the events described were taking
place, thus giving it the effect of a con-
temporaneous narrative. AS TO the act that
has made Judas Infamous in history-the
betrayal OF the Master-he explains IL from
his own standpoint as having been done
with good motive At one point he says:
1T were easy to have pointed Him out from
where stood, yet at that moment II nasneu
upon me, not as a result of reasoning, but
rather of intention, that my impending &C
ton was destined to make an epoch In the
history and redemption of mankind. There
entered into my soul an ardent desire TO be
known as one whose action had made the
Lords triumph possible" Again In the
course of a discussion with the disciples
occurs this passage:
"Didst not betray the Master for thirty
pieces of silver?" asked John, whose race
was glowing with rage and indignation.
Not So, l replied: Il did guide the Of
hcerS TO GethSemane, and received %
shekels. but 1 did it not for love Oh the
money.
For love of the MASTER" sneered John.
AYE, for love of the Master. To save
the life of Lazarus, who, with myself was
brought before Annas and Caiaphas, ana
also TO protect the Lord from secret deatn
at the hands of their murderous agents, L
promised TO produce him. when command
ed. for a fair and impartial trial before the
Sanhedrim. AS for the silver, l was forced
to accept it: twas a fulfillment of prophecy.
Thou dost not think me lacking in wit?
This theory of Judas's motives in betray-
ing Christ is not original with this author
and it is presented in a forceful and In
genious manner. incidentally, the book
sheds much light upon the life of the
period i'm which it is laid and on number
of historic characters. It's tone is reverent,
and from Judas's point of view it tends TO
corrObOrate and strengthen the gospel mar
ratives of the other disciples. Judas tells
i'm his own language all that is related by
the other disciples. The book is written
by Aaron d. Baldwin and published by the
Jameson-H Higgins COMPANY, Chicago.