What is the Gospel of St. Thomas?

The Gospel of St. Thomas?  

The Gospel of St. Thomas is a unique and mystic collection of 114 verses that have been preserved since ancient times. It is considered one of the closest records to Yeshua's teachings, written roughly a century earlier than the four gospels that appear in the Bible. However, there is still uncertainty about who wrote this gospel.  

This valuable source reveals secret knowledge of the Messiah that can enlighten and liberate individuals from their ignorance, leading to personal transformation and spiritual liberation. The Gospel encourages individuals to look within themselves to find the divine spark within and connect with it through various spiritual practices such as meditation, prayer, and mindfulness.  

The Gospel of St. Thomas offers a unique message of inner peace and spiritual awakening, emphasizing love, compassion, and forgiveness towards oneself and others. It provides a guide for understanding the deeper meaning of life by focusing on each verse's true significance.  

Moreover, this gospel reveals the importance of cultivating a personal relationship with the divine through spiritual practices rather than relying on external validation or worldly power. Its teachings have inspired many spiritual teachers throughout history and continue to influence individuals today.  

The Gospel of St. Thomas offers a profound perspective on spirituality that can lead to personal growth and spiritual awakening. By opening our eyes to our innate unity with God and the Divine Soul within us all, this gospel invites us to live more meaningful lives filled with love, compassion, forgiveness, and inner peace.  

  

Who wrote the Gospel of St. Thomas?  

The authorship of the Gospel of St. Thomas has been debated by scholars for centuries, and there are several theories regarding its origins. Some believe it was written by Thomas, one of Yeshua's disciples, while others argue that it was authored by a group of early Christian Gnostics or even an unknown individual.  

One theory suggests that the Gospel of St. Thomas was composed in Syria or Palestine around 50-70 AD, making it one of the earliest Christian texts ever discovered. This theory claims that Thomas, one of Yeshua's twelve apostles, wrote this gospel during his travels throughout Asia Minor and Syria after Yeshua's death.

 

Another theory suggests that the Gospel of St. Thomas was written by a group of early Christian Gnostics who lived in Egypt during the second century AD. The Gnostics were known for their mystical beliefs and practices, which emphasized inner knowledge rather than external authority.  

Some scholars also suggest that an unknown individual wrote the Gospel as a form of spiritual expression and reflection on Yeshua's teachings.  

Despite these various theories, no definitive answer exists as to who wrote the Gospel of St. Thomas. The manuscript itself does not contain any attribution to an author or information about its origin.  

However, what is clear is that this gospel offers a unique perspective on spirituality and provides valuable insight into Yeshua's teachings outside the traditional canonized gospels found in the Bible.  

In conclusion, while we may never know who exactly wrote the Gospel of St. Thomas, its significance lies in its message and teachings rather than its authorship. This gospel continues to inspire individuals today with its emphasis on self-knowledge and inner transformation as pathways toward personal growth and spiritual awakening.  

  

  

Where was the Gospel of St. Thomas found?  

  

The exact origin of this gospel remains unknown, but scholars believe it was written in Syria around 140 AD by a group known as Gnostics. This group believed that salvation came through knowledge or gnosis, rather than faith alone.  

The Gospel of Thomas offers a different perspective on Jesus' teachings than what is found in the New Testament. Some sayings are similar to those found in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, but others are unique.  

For example, one saying from the Gospel of Thomas reads: "If you bring forth what is within you, what you have will save you. If you do not have that within you, what you do not have within you will kill you." This saying emphasizes self-discovery and inner truth as opposed to external actions or beliefs.  

Despite its significance for understanding early Christianity, the Gospel of Thomas has been controversial since its discovery. Some Christians view it as heretical or outside the bounds of orthodox belief because it challenges traditional interpretations of Jesus' teachings.  

However, many scholars believe that studying this gospel can deepen our understanding of early Christianity and offer new insights into how different groups interpreted Jesus' message.  

In conclusion, while we may never know exactly where or why the Gospel of St. Thomas was written or hidden away for centuries before being discovered in Nag Hammadi in 1945, its significance cannot be overstated. As we continue to study this ancient text and compare it with other sources from early Christianity, we may gain new insights into who Jesus was and what he taught.    

  

  

What does the Gospel of St. Thomas teach?  

  

The Gospel of St. Thomas is a unique text that offers a different perspective on Jesus' teachings than what is found in the New Testament. While the canonical gospels tell a narrative story about Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, the Gospel of Thomas consists solely of 114 sayings attributed to Jesus.  

So what does this gospel teach? Here are some key themes and teachings found in the Gospel of Thomas:  

  

Inner truth and self-discovery  

  

One of the most prominent themes throughout the Gospel of Thomas is the importance of inner truth and self-discovery. Several sayings emphasize this idea, such as saying 70: "If you bring forth what is within you, what you have will save you. If you do not have that within you, what you do not have within you will kill you."  

This teaching emphasizes that salvation comes from within rather than through external actions or beliefs. It encourages individuals to look inward and discover their inner truth rather than relying on external authorities or dogmas.  

  

The Kingdom of God  

  

Another important theme in the Gospel of Thomas is the concept of the Kingdom of God. This term appears several times throughout the text and is often associated with ideas such as peace, love, and unity.  

For example, saying 3 reads: "The Kingdom is inside you and it is outside you." This suggests that individuals can experience the Kingdom of God both internally through their spiritual practices and externally through their interactions with others.  

  

Non-dualism  

  

Many scholars believe that the authors of the Gospel of Thomas were influenced by Gnostic philosophy, which emphasizes non-dualism or a belief in two opposing forces in existence. This dualistic view can be seen in some sayings from this gospel.  

For example, saying 22 reads: "When you make one into two...then you will enter [the kingdom]." This suggests that by recognizing duality and overcoming it, individuals can achieve spiritual enlightenment.  

  

Gender equality  

  

Unlike many texts from antiquity, which often reflect patriarchal social structures and attitudes towards women, several sayings in the Gospel of Thomas suggest a more egalitarian view of gender.  

For example, saying 114 reads: "Simon Peter said to them: 'Let Mary [Magdalene] leave us for women are not worthy of life.' Jesus said: 'I myself shall lead her to make her male so that she too may become a living spirit resembling you males.'"  

This saying challenges traditional gender roles and implies that women can attain spiritual enlightenment just like men.  

While there are many different interpretations and debates surrounding its meaning and significance, studying the teachings found in the Gospel of St. Thomas can offer new insights into early Christianity and encourage us to question our assumptions about spirituality and truth.    

  

How is the Gospel of St. Thomas different from the other New Testament Gospels?  

  

The Gospel of St. Thomas is a unique text that offers a different perspective on Jesus' teachings than what is found in the New Testament. While the canonical gospels tell a narrative story about Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, the Gospel of Thomas consists solely of 114 sayings attributed to Jesus.  

So how does this gospel differ from the other New Testament gospels? Here are some key differences:  

  

Narrative vs. Aphoristic  

  

One of the most obvious differences between the Gospel of St. Thomas and the other New Testament gospels is their literary form. The canonical gospels are narratives that tell a story about Jesus' life and ministry, while the Gospel of Thomas consists solely of isolated sayings or aphorisms.  

This means that while we can read about specific events and interactions between Jesus and others in the canonical gospels, we do not have access to these kinds of details in the Gospel of Thomas.  

  

Focus on inner truth  

  

Another major difference between these texts is their emphasis on inner truth versus external actions or beliefs. While many passages in the New Testament focus on following specific commandments or laws, such as observing Sabbath or avoiding certain foods, many sayings in the Gospel of Thomas emphasize personal spiritual practices and self-discovery.  

For example, saying 70 reads: "If you bring forth what is within you, what you have will save you. If you do not have that within you, what you do not have within you will kill you." This suggests that salvation comes from within rather than through external actions or adherence to specific beliefs.  

  

More Non-dualism  

  

As mentioned earlier, scholars believe that authors of the Gospel of Thomas were influenced by Gnostic philosophy which emphasizes non-dualism - belief in two opposing forces in existence. This dualistic view can be seen throughout several sayings from this gospel which challenge traditional views surrounding good vs evil.  

For example, Saying 22 reads: "When you make one into two...then you will enter [the kingdom]." This suggests that by recognizing duality and overcoming it individuals can achieve spiritual enlightenment.  

  

Lack of explicit references to Jesus' death & resurrection  

  

Unlike all four canonical gospels which give detailed accounts of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection; there are no explicit references to these events in The Gospel of St. Thomas.  

Instead, many passages focus more generally on themes such as salvation and eternal life without reference to specific historical events associated with Jesus' life.  

In conclusion, while there may be similarities between The Gospel of St. Thomas with other early Christian writings; its unique aphoristic style and focus on self-discovery offer a distinct perspective on spirituality different from those present in traditional religious texts like The Bible.