The Gospel of Thomas
What does it mean to say that the Gospel; of Thomas is “non-canonical”?
Christian canons were established in a complex way where specific books qualified while others did not. Selection was based on apostolicity, orthodoxy, societal authority and a custom of their application. The Gospel of Thomas is non-canonical since it has a distinct Gnostic style and expounds on the wise sayings of Jesus without emphasis on narration of his life unlike the other gospels. The gospel may be inaccurate, unreliable since it came later in the second century unlike the others which were written earlier and are accurate on the life of Christ. Moreover, it is notable that the Gospel of Thomas incorporates the Christian customs of the second century especially those of Syria, which indicates it is not apostolic. In addition, the Infancy Gospel of Thomas initiates by referring to at Jesus five years of age, creating a dozen sparrows using mud, and then claps his hand and gives life to these sparrows to fly. Moreover, Jesus is portrayed as inhumane where he curses a young boy who withers while he strikes another one and leaves him dead instantly just because of brushing shoulders with him.
In what ways does the Gospel of Thomas resemble “Q”?
The ‘Q’ source material is distinct and meant to evaluate the harmony of the synoptic gospels. Although its existence is not known the ‘Q’ resembles the Gospel of Thomas in it is primitive Christian wisdom. Besides, ‘Q’ consist diverse teachings of Jesus with a less emphasis on the narration of his life. Gospel of Thomas may be taken to evidence the existence of ‘Q’ source, which comprised just the sayings and neither actions, life nor Jesus’ death similar to the Gospel of Thomas. ‘Q’ is a hypothetical document comprising many sayings that Jesus spoke recorded in Mathew and Luke since it came prior to these gospels. The Gospel of Thomas contains directives of salvation or inner heaven with critical emphasis on divine knowledge.
What are two distinctive features of the gospel of Thomas that distinguish it from the gospels found in the Christian new testament?
The Gnostic or heretical Gospel of Thomas resembles closely the canonical books with 114 Jesus’ sayings most of which are in canonical books. These sayings start by the phrase ‘Jesus said’ and use distinct language. However, the language as compared to other gospels may be said to be in-genuine and unchristian in style, norms and occurrences of the first century Christians and therefore could not be discussing an eyewitness account of the actual Jesus since it lacks geography or time details. It is therefore considered as not being apostolic and emerged later and therefore lacks historical value and popularity. It has unique parables of the assassin and that of the empty jug. The gospel of Thomas points out that heavenly kingdom is not a prospect eschatological occurrence in the society but it is a state attained through enlightenment by wisdom and is present not a future occurrence. Such a view of the inner heavenly reality gained through wisdom contradicts the initial view of the kingdom
How does the gospel of Thomas frame the story of Jesus? What does it say about God’ character and passion?
The parables in the Gospel are different from those of the Synoptic gospels in that they are completely free of added allegorical understanding. The sayings and their understanding are secret and mysterious. The gospel depicts God as pure spirit who should not be defiled but whom should be understood by questing for the secret knowledge. To gain salvation, one has to recognize his origin and his destiny. The gospel of Thomas strongly portrays Jesus as a wise teacher and not the divine messiah. It fails to neither incorporate his crucifixion, his resurrection nor the end of times which awards Jesus with the messianic role. Jesus is crucial in the life of Christians since he reveals God’s passion and character, whose understanding is important. In the gospel, Jesus helps gain personal insight to evaluate the divine being present in everyone. Everyone is independent and should quest for spiritual wisdom to become a child of God like Jesus is.
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