What Really Happened Between Jesus and Judas?: Book One: Judas, the Passionate Zealot

BC Crothers earned her master's degree in Theological Studies from the Virginia Theological Seminary. BC loves researching and writing, and this book is her work of passion. Judas Iscariot has always been a question mark as he stands outside the definition of discipleship. His personhood and the "why" of his famous kiss of betrayal led to five years of research. What BC discovered is that in the unlikeliest of times, 20-30 CE experienced the seeds of the birth of Christianity. Palestine is in turmoil. Choking taxes by the Romans and the Jerusalem Temple send citizens into bankruptcy, with 613 religious laws restricting worship and personal freedoms. Citizens suffer daily hardships. Roaming bands of thieves and begging fake messiahs make travel difficult. Tensions rise between Palestinians, the Jewish hierarchy, and the ever-changing Roman rulers creating unstable financial and administrative upheavals. The Zealots are sharpening their weapons to kill Romans, all soldiers, and traitorous Jewish men. Jesus, a teacher of love, peace, and forgiveness, begins His ministry surrounded by these struggles. Division and strife are everywhere, including inside His group of Apostles. Judas is caught in the middle of his people's goal for freedom, their choice of a Warrior Messiah or Jesus' teachings.

BOOK ONE, Part One begins with Iscariot's namesake, Judas of Gamala, who, in history, is a terrorist and, fictionally, leader of the Zealot Freedom Fighters. Part Two shares the trials and tribulations of growing up under the indoctrination of Zealot members. Part Three brings the readers into the life of Judas, the caravan accountant, who thrives on cheating the tax collectors; his sister Maai who becomes a healer under the tutelage of the monks at Qumran; and brother Haman who trains as a sicarii assassin. Part Four finds Judas suffering from a broken heart, while Haman officially condemns their sister to death. There is no break in this tension-filled, action-packed story. Book Two: Jesus, the Warrior Messiah, offers insight into Judas's kiss on Jesus' cheek.