André Gagné

André Gagné is an Associate Professor of Early Christian History and Literature at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. His teaching and research also focuses on Cognitive science of religion as a way to better understand religious experience, beliefs and practices. Among Gagné's other research interests is the rise of the New Atheism, religion and violence, as well as contemporary religions and popular culture.

Prior to his arrival at Concordia, Gagné taught from 2005-2008 at the Joint Department of Religious Studies at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. He has a B.Th. (2001) and Master of Arts (2003) from l'Université de Montréal, and a conjoint Ph.D. from l'Université catholique de Louvain and l'Université de Montréal (2008).[1]

His areas of expertise are New Testament Gospels, Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Judas, Nag Hammadi Library, Gnosticism, and the history and methods of biblical interpretation. As a collaborator on la bibliothèque copte de Nag Hammadi (BCNH) project at l'Université Laval, Gagné is preparing a critical edition, translation and commentary of the Gospel of Thomas for the BCNH collection. Gagné also teaches and writes on religious violence, radicalization and the dynamics of group identity, as well as the ways sacred texts can incite people to violent behavior.

His research on the Gospel of Judas has led him to question the way experts of the National Geographic Society (NGS)[2] understand the character and role of Judas Iscariot in the Gospel of Judas.[3] Gagné's main argument rests on his translation of the Greco-Coptic term apophasis as denial. According to him, the opening lines of the Judas Gospel should not be translated as "the secret word of declaration by which Jesus spoke in conversation with Judas Iscariot" but rather as "the secret word of the denial by which Jesus spoke in conversation with Judas Iscariot" (Gospel of Judas 33:1).[4] Gagné also noticed other translation problems in the Gospel of Judas and pointed out by scholars such as April DeConick[5] of Rice University and Louis Painchaud[6] of l'Université Laval. Gagné's conclusion is that the Judas Gospel is the story of the denial of true salvation for Judas.[7]

Gagné is a member of several learned societies such as the Society of Biblical Literature and the European Association of Biblical Studies. He has also been awarded the 2010 CCSL Outstanding Contribution Award for excellency in teaching and student mentorship.[8] The same year, Gagné was awarded the New Scholar Award at Concordia University. The award recognizes outstanding scholarly achievement by a tenure-track faculty member.[9]

Publications

Selected Publications:

References

  1. ↑ André Gagné's CV.
  2. ↑ Kasser, Rudolphe, Marvin Meyer, and Gregor Wurst. The Gospel of Judas (Second Edition). Washington D.C.: National Geographic, 2008. p.29.
  3. ↑ See Northern Life article entitled: Religion Professor Disputes Translation of Judas Gospel.
  4. ↑ André Gagné, "A Critical Note on the Meaning of APOPHASIS in Gospel of Judas 33:1." Laval théologique et philosophique 63 (2007): 377-83.
  5. ↑ April D. DeConick, The Thirteenth Apostle: What the Gospel of Judas Really Says. London: Continuum, 2007.
  6. ↑ Louis Painchaud, "À propos de la (re)découverte de l’Évangile de Judas." Laval théologique et philosophique 62 (2006): 553-568.
  7. ↑ Read April DeConick's Forbidden Gospels Blog on Gagné's article.
  8. ↑ See article in the Concordia Journal, April 15, 2010
  9. ↑ Program of Dean's Awards ceremony held on October 15, 2010

External links

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