Book Review: The Judas We Never Knew by Jerome Van Kuiken

Van Kuiken, Jerome. (2023). The Judas we never knew. Franklin, TN: Seedbed Publishing.

Jerome Van Kuiken’s latest book, The Judas We Never Knew, is an insightful exegesis of the epistle of Jude. With just twenty-five verses tucked in the midst of the more popular works of John, this letter from Jesus’ half-brother has often been overlooked throughout history. Yet, Van Kuiken effectively argues that the epistle offers a framework for negotiating the boundary between godliness and sin in a modern world desperate for such a thing.

Van Kuiken begins the book by examining some of the pertinent context of the letter. In the first chapter, he considers the family relationship between Judas (i.e., Jude) and Jesus and, observing the tension that existed between the two in Luke 8 and parallel passages in Matthew and Mark (i.e., when Jude and his siblings thought Jesus mad and so came to take charge of him), suggests that Jesus’ interaction with his family demonstrates a proper priority flow for the believer. Earthly family should be honored, but following God’s commands must take precedence. Moreover, following Jesus means joining a new family which transcends common earthly distinctions of race, ethnicity, nationality, denominational affiliation, class, and gender. In the second chapter, Van Kuiken examines how the resurrection apparently changed Jude’s relationship with Jesus, concluding that faith in Christ overrides the a person’s supposedly condemning heritage and history. Then, in chapter three, he considers the historical debate over the authenticity of Jude’s epistle, revealing that evidence suggests that the letter should be considered authoritative.

Between chapters three and four, Van Kuiken offers his own translation of Jude. While this translation does not offer any profound revelations over mainstream translations, its contemporary language and style make it seem fresh and relatable.

In the second part of the book, Van Kuiken actually enters into the text to show how the twenty-four verses of Jude provide tremendous insight into the identity of Jesus as both human and divine, the proper posture toward false teachers and teachings, the importance of growing in one’s faith and helping others do the same, and the promise that those who seek after holiness will eventually be perfected in our Father’s house. Then, in the final chapter, the author reviews the entire book to reiterate that Jude’s intention in writing was to help believers navigate the tension between life in this world and citizenship in the next.At just 125 pages of primary content (there are an additional 40 pages of notes and references after the last chapter), The Judas We Never Knew is a short read. Van Kuiken’s approach to the epistle, which weaves solid biblical exegesis with plenty of pop culture references, makes the epistle both accessible and highly relevant to the modern believer’s life. This book, therefore, would make fantastic material for a Bible discussion group with new believers, lifelong churchgoers, or even friends and neighbors who do not yet know Christ.