Thursday, October 1, 2009

NT Pod 15: The Gospel of Thomas: First Glimpse

Episode 15 introduces the Gospel of Thomas and looks at the discovery of fragments of this Gospel in Oxyrhynchus, Egypt, in 1897 and 1903, by Bernard Grenfell and Arthur Hunt.

It is twelve minutes long. Feel free to leave your comments below.



NT Pod Episode 15: The Gospel of Thomas: First Glimpse (mp3)

Programme Notes are on the NT Blog.

Key texts: Gospel of Thomas Incipit, 1, 26, 28, 31; Luke 6:41-42; Luke 4:24.

Thanks to Ram2000, Me and You, for the opening theme, released under a Creative Commons agreement.

4 comments:

  1. I just recently found this podcast, and it has instantly become my favorite. I particularly enjoyed this episode. I can hardly wait for more on this topic. Keep up the great work.

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  2. Many thanks, Gwen. There will be lots more on Thomas in due course.

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  3. Michael Grondin
    4/15/16

    Hello again. I was fortunate, years ago, to have been allowed to enter the GOT discussions. Unfortunately,
    my arrogant attitude had me rightfully dismissed. Over the years, I have sent post to my favorite scholar, Elaine Pagels. I see the group’s material has worn thin. What many have ignored is the Thomas Gospel is filled with prophecy much like the old and new testaments. The GOT is also filled with prophecy for this time. If the prophetic events are ignored then all religious writings are little more than just another book.
    The religious books are written incorporating a physical language accompanied by a spiritual language.

    Regrettably the spiritual nature of prophecy is not clearly understood by those that should know the difference from the physical and spiritual subjects which are being addressed. Generally the GOT begins with advising hidden things will be revealed. What has been ignored has been the physical life of Thomas.
    Allow me to demonstrate one such prophecy regarding Thomas and a prophecy from the new testament.

    Thomas arrived in India, (Asia) in 52 AD. Thomas scholars should be aware of that history. While there, Thomas established seven churches. How does this hidden event relate to current prophetic events. When the spiritual languages are hidden then the physical hidden language is clear for all to see. One example, the earth is spiritually informed a spirit from Asia, is to be resurrected, associated with the seven churches. He was dead and is alive again. (Reincarnated) He lives now, (Which is) he lived before, (which was ) and he was promised to return. (which is to come) He is the first son and the last son. The beginning and the end.

    Rev 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia and , from him which is, and which was, and which is to come;

    Rev 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia;

    Rev 1:20 The mystery which thou sawest are the seven churches.

    Respectfully submitted
    Christ Didymus Thomas

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  4. Gospels 2016
    Are you aware of these discoveries
    From the newly discovered Books of “ Thomas Gospel and Thomas the Contender”

    The Nag Hammadi Library, a collection of thirteen ancient books (called "codices") containing over fifty texts, was discovered in upper Egypt in 1945. This immensely important discovery includes a large number of primary "Gnostic Gospels" – texts once thought to have been entirely destroyed during the early Christian struggle to define "orthodoxy" – scriptures such as the Gospel of Thomas, and The Book of Thomas the Contender. The discovery and translation of the Nag Hammadi library, initially completed in the 1970's, has provided impetus to a major re-evaluation of early Christian history and the nature of Gnosticism.
    The Book of Thomas the Contender.
    The secret words that the savior spoke to Judas Thomas which I, even I, Mathaias, wrote down, while I was walking, listening to them speak with one another.
    The savior said, "Brother Thomas while you have time in the world, listen to me, and I will reveal to you the things you have pondered in your mind.

    "Now, since it has been said that you are my twin and true companion, examine yourself, and learn who you are, in what way you exist, and how you will come to be. Since you will be called my brother, it is not fitting that you be ignorant of yourself. And I know that you have understood, because you had already understood that I am the knowledge of the truth. So while you accompany me, although you are uncomprehending, you have (in fact) already come to know, and you will be called 'the one who knows himself'.

    For he who has not known himself has known nothing, but he who has known himself has at the same time already achieved knowledge about the depth of the all. So then, you, my brother Thomas, have beheld what is obscure to men, that is, what they ignorantly stumble against."

    Now Thomas said to the lord, "Therefore I beg you to tell me what I ask you before your ascension, and when I hear from you about the hidden things, then I can speak about them. And it is obvious to me that the truth is difficult to perform before men."
    Gospel of Thomas
    These are the secret sayings which the living Jesus spoke and which Didymos Judas Thomas wrote down.
    (1) And he said, "Whoever finds the interpretation of these sayings will not experience death."
    (2) Jesus said, "Let him who seeks continue seeking until he finds. When he finds, he will become troubled. When he becomes troubled, he will be astonished, and he will rule over the All."
    (5) Jesus said, "Recognize what is in your sight, and that which is hidden from you will become plain to you . For there is nothing hidden which will not become manifest."
    (6) Jesus said, "For nothing hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain without being uncovered."





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