"This radical re-interpretation of the relationship between Judas and Jesus finds more in the story of Judas than a simple demonstration of humanity's inherent failings. After careful investigation of the gospels, various apocryphal texts, and most importantly the Coptic codex known as The Gospel of Judas, LeLoup concludes that it was Jesus who persuaded Judas to play the role of betrayer by telling him that it was crucial to God's plan. From the author of The Gospel of Mary Magdalene and other books. 160 pp. "