The Gospel of Judas

Anybody else a little suspicious as to why we're hearing about this right as the hype machine gears up for The Da Vinci Code movie? This story's been making the rounds all over today, but I'll link to the NYTimes because they redesigned their site to look like a newspaper (a move the alarmist fruity-toots at Slate foresee will be the deathknell of the 155-year-old publishing giant):

An early Christian manuscript, including the only known text of what is known as the Gospel of Judas, has surfaced after 1,700 years. The text gives new insights into the relationship of Jesus and the disciple who betrayed him, scholars reported today.

According to this expert, however, the thing's been around for decades and isn't even uncommon -- there are evidently more than a few dubious "gospels" floating around out there, various scrolls and papyrus leaflets and whatnot, which are all genuinely antique but are also copies of copies of interpretations of original works and of little value, theological or otherwise.

At any rate, National Geographic is releasing a special on it soon. I don't know if this is a "wag the dog" scenario where this is the Real Damn Deal, but National Geographic decided to wait for Da Vinci Code's release campaign before hyping their similarly-themed special; or if money changed hands, it's all horseshit, and Sony Pictures is simply getting a little extra publicity with some real-life Jesus-rummaging.

I will, say, however, that if it is for real, that's gotta be the most cynical news I've heard in months: that a lost Bible chapter written by Christ's betrayer has been unearthed and translated, and the only way National Geographic thought anyone'd be interested is if they rode it in on the coattails of the new Tom Hanks movie.

Did you hear the good news?

Tom Hanks is risen. Blessed be Tom Hanks.