The Gospel of the Twin by Ron Cooper

Author:Ron Cooper
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Jesus;Zealot;Jesus of Nazareth;Judea;Bible;Biblical text;gospel;gospels;cannon;Judas Didymos Thomas;Jerusalem
Publisher: Bancroft Press
Published: 2015-12-30T19:15:59+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Verse One

As I later found out first-hand, the Persians worship a god they call Ahura Mazda. I often wondered if they were actually worshiping our Lord, but under a foreign name. The Persians say that their god created the heavens, the earth, men, and animals. They also say, as did the prophet Daniel, my cousin John, the Essenes, and others of my people, that a man will come from the heavens to lead a great cosmic battle in which evil will be defeated, truth will be uncovered, and peace will reign for eternity. My people believe that the Persians were chosen by the Lord to deliver our ancestors from their exile in Babylon. Wouldn’t the Lord reveal himself as the one, true god even to a Gentile people if he were to have them do his work?

They honor a founder known in Greek as Zoroaster, who is somewhat akin to our Abraham—their god spoke directly to Zoroaster and forged a covenant with him and his people. They cloud the similarities with their own legends, however, most notably of Zoroaster rising from death to ascend to heaven and become a demigod.

The Greeks inject such a myth into the tales of nearly all their heroes, and it may have grown new and deeper roots in Persia when Alexander conquered it. Greek lore has spread across the land like burrs clinging to travelers’ woolen garments.

The Romans, with some name changes, acquired Greek religion almost in its entirety and expanded it to include their emperors, claiming that Julius, Augustus, and probably other throne-warmers rose from the dead to race through the sky (Julius was said to become a comet) and be transformed into gods.

How many nations have tired of their gods and replaced them with men? Even our scriptures have Elijah and Enoch taken up into the heavens. Where did they go? Is that my people’s version of men becoming gods? Does it make us feel closer to such a god, being half his nature? Can we more easily blame him for the suffering so prevalent in every life since the human remnants in his nature would render him less than perfect? Who thought he was perfect to begin with?

Verse Two

In the weeks following Judas’ departure, Mary alternated between stoic and despondent. Each time we entered a new village, she would ask people if they’d seen him. She tried to describe him, but it was how you’d describe any Galilean peasant: stocky frame, dark hair, dark eyes, and undyed garments. Even his cleft chin and full lips were common traits. He probably did not use his real name.

Not knowing if Judas was alive or dead caused her much grief and, in her worst moments, only Jesus was able to comfort her. They would walk arm-in-arm, she would lay her head upon his shoulder, and he would sing, as if putting an infant to bed: “O Mary, child of the moon, mother of oceans . . .” or some such drivel. If she

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