An Atheistic Bible Study Of The Gospel Recruitment Of The Apostles Part 3

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My final look at how the original twelve Apostles supposedly met Jesus looks at James, son of Alphaeus, Simon The Zealot, and both men called Judas. I was quite surprised to see a second Judas on the lists as well as the infamous Judas Iscariot. More on these two shortly. JAMES, son of Alphaeus, identified a such to distinguish him from James, son of Zebedee, who is another Apostle, covered by me earlier. He is sometimes also confused with James, the supposed brother of Jesus, whose presence makes Mary’s claims to virginity rather suspect. Saint Jerome believed James the Apostle was James, brother to Jesus, but that brother was just another word for cousin, which seems a rather stretched definition. To distinguish him from Zebedee’s son, this James is sometimes called James The Less. (Younger) This James is barely mentioned in the Bible, and only ever in the four given lists of the names of the Apostles. SIMON THE ZEALOT Also known as the Caananite, or Kananite, with Zealot meaning fierce opponent of the Roman rule. Zealot has become a modern euphemism for fanatic. This Simon is not to be confused with Simon Peter who eventually just became Peter. As with James he is barely mentioned for any deeds, just another named Apostle. JUDAS THADDEUS – To avoid confusion with the more famous Judas, the name Thaddeus, (and sometimes Jude) are used instead. He eventually became known as the Patron Saint of Lost Causes. His name is often given and followed by brackets pointing out that he isn’t Iscariot. He is another brother (cousin?) to Jesus, and many claim he wrote the Epistle Of Jude which appears later in the New Testament. Other than that, he is barely mentioned. JUDAS ISCARIOT – His conversion to following Jesus is not given though often when listed the authors remind us in advance that he will betray Jesus and cause his arrest by the Romans. He is treated as a pantomime villain to boo and hiss at a great deal. I’ll deal with his betrayal of Jesus and contrary accounts of his death later. Arthur Chappell