Biblical Canonicity and the Gospel of Judas

I've been weary of writing anything on the newer publication of the Gospel of Judas for fear of contributing to the global speculation on how it might affect Christianity. However, after translating bits of the document and skimming it, I feel I need to say something about it. It was more than likely written in the 2nd or 3rd century by a certain group who felt a need to empathize with Judas. (And might I note that the hype concerning Judas as being instructed by Christ to mock-betray him is a very minute point within the work, ringing very gnostically) These kinds of 'unorthodox' (I use this term loosely) groups were not uncommon in the first centuries after Christ. But more importantly, it is significant to remember that the text is very Gnostic in its language reminescent of other Gnostic texts such as that of Thomas. It is uncertain whether or not this particular text was on the table during the canonization process of the biblical canon, but it is not in the canon. And so it does much to inform of another "heretical" Christian group running around the second and third century giving insight into another Gnostic group, but as far as informing the prime tenets of Christianity I find the 'hype' just that 'hype' ex nihilo. Christianity accepts the canon of the Bible as it is, not that the canon is closed as far as interpreting it, but in adding new documents. For Christians, the process of canonization, the process of tradition (in other words the continual work of the Holy Spirit) plays a very significant role in the history of the Church. Scripture is shielded by the perception that it is the word of God because those who wrote it were inspired by the Holy Spirit as witnesses to the incarnation, the Word of God. The canon of Scripture then speaks at all times to all people -- it is referred to as a 'living document,' thus making both writers and readers witnesses to the incarnation in their dialogue concerning it....