Gospel of Thomas
Something before my next post on postmodernism…
You can read the Gospel of Thomas here.
The (infant) Gospel of Thomas has been the center of attention in a few circles (think Dan Brown groupies) and has, for some, become something of an obstacle. I don’t believe there is any reason for accepting the Gospel of Thomas nor anything contained therein. Four reasons why I believe this, the third being most important:
1. Is what’s known as a psuedopigraphical work, a work his claims to authorship (in this case the Apostle Thomas) is false and unfounded.
2. Written between 200 and 250 CE (3rd century work). The last canonical Gospel is believed to have been written around 90 CE (‘Liberal’ dating).
3. Contradicts the established witness of the New Testament Gospels, some times with complete absurdities, more on this below.
4. Plagiarizes and incorrectly attributes sayings from the New Testament.
In support of my third reason, well, I think this says enough.
Thomas verse 114
Simon Peter said to them: Let Mary go forth from among us, for women are not worthy of the life. Jesus said: Behold, I shall lead her, that I may make her male, in order that she also may become a living spirit like you males. For every woman who makes herself male shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.
In support of my fourth reason below we see a quote, attributed to Jesus, which was said by Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:9:
1 Corinthians 2:9 (Paul)
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.“
Thomas verse 17
“Jesus said, ‘I shall give you what no eye has seen and what no ear has heard and what no hand has touched and what has never occurred to the human mind.’”
All in all, there’s much more that could be said. However, in any sort of preliminary discussion, this would be where I start.
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