What do you think of the new Bible document that was found about how Judas was really a hero, not a traitor?
Answer
This document appears to be one that was known, and condemned, in the late second century. It is one of a group of gospels commonly called the Gnostic Gospels because they emphasize Gnostic doctrine. This doctrine says that Jesus did not come in the flesh, but just appeared to be flesh. Most of the writings of John found in the New Testament were written to counter early forms of this doctrine. “And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” (1 John 4:3)
This document is at best hearsay, because even references to it date back only to 150 years after Jesus died. At worst it is a fiction put forth to support a new doctrine that was not held by Jesus or the Apostles.
Ultimately, to my thinking, it does not matter whether Jesus secretly asked Judas to betray him or not. The fact still remains that Jesus died on the cross. The doctrine still remains that his death on the cross was to redeem man from sin. Even the gospels that are considered inspired say that Jesus knew he was going to be crucified and rise on the third day, long before the events actually happened. If Judas consciously assisted this rather than incidentally did so is essentially irrelevant.
Thank you for such a timely question.