"The discovery of The Gospel of Judas, first published in April 2006, rocked scholars and laypeople alike. Now two celebrated scholars illustrate how this text helps us understand the reaction of Jesus' followers to his death, why Judas betrayed Jesus, and why God allowed it. Pagels (Beyond Belief) and King (The Gospel of Mary of Magdala) illuminate the intellectual context behind Jesus's teaching to Judas and show how early Christian authors used conflict among the disciples to explore matters of doubt and disagreement. 224 pp."