The Gospel of Thomas

A New Translation, Commentary and Comparison with the Synoptic Gospels

By: Jason Augustus Newcomb

Narrated by: Steve Stansell

The Gospel of Thomas is a non-canonical scripture dating back to around 50-100 CE that was found near Nag Hammadi, Egypt in 1945 CE, buried in a clay jar with many other documents, all in Coptic, that collectively came to be known as the Nag Hammadi Library of Gnostic texts. A few fragments of the Gospel of Thomas in Greek had previously been found in Oxyrhynchus, Egypt at various times between 1897 CE and 1905 CE.

This text bears very little superficial resemblance to the traditional four gospels found in the modern New Testament. Thomas a collection of sayings attributed to Jesus. It contains no linking narrative whatsoever, and very little context for any of the sayings. The words are somewhat similar to those found in Matthew and Luke, a few in Mark, and one or two parallels in John. But the tone and the message of the teaching is often strikingly different. Most of the sayings are clearly mystical instructions. They are lessons in how to contact divine consciousness directly. This book clearly compares each of the sayings with its counterparts in the traditional gospels and points the way to a deeper understanding of all of these ancient texts.

©2014 Jason Augustus Newcomb (P)2015 Jason Augustus Newcomb

to be fair was looking for more analysis

It was good but it wasn't analytical about the book of Thomas message nor was it just the direct text like the other reviews said.

Good Translation & Comparison with other Gospels

I have read that some reviewers object or are disappointed at the side-by-side comparison of this translation of Thomas to similar verses in the other four Gospels. I appreciate the comparisons. I feel that the author, by doing so, is presenting Christian teachings in a similar fashion to how 1st and 2nd century and later followers of Christ (up until its formal exclusion from Christian writings) would have had the materials available to them. I feel that Gnosticism does not remove the spiritual portion of Christianity. Instead, Gnosticism also prompts the Christian to think, ponder, study, and thus develop a deeper understanding of Christianity - more so than simply accepting Jesus as Christ and perhaps following the doctrine of a particular Christian denomination. Gnosticism does not force a student of Christianity to discard any doctrines of their own personal beliefs - instead, it allows for a deeper understanding of Christendom.

Just wanted the Gospel of Thomas

I was just looking for The Gospel of Thomas. I didn't want the commentary. Oh well.

The Message is Unfiltred! Excellent!

A very honest presentation with no hidden agenda! I see why the Synoptics did not want this in their Bible of editting! We found this 1500 years later! Well done!!

It felt like a daunting compilation of footnotes

Great story, but read the entire Gospel of Thomas by itself at least once without the constant footnotes and comparisons to canonical texts. Everyone is desiring to hear Thomas, 'Thomas' gets drowned our by the constant comparisons with known texts. It's a bit daunting to listen to and loses the feel as a cohesive text.