Gospel of Thomas: Why Is It Not In the Bible?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 พ.ค. 2024
- The Gospel of Thomas. It is a famous text, but what do we really know about it? And why didn't it make it into the New Testament canon?
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Next watch "Mandaeism: The Last Gnostic Religion?": th-cam.com/video/DMx_JKJbvJI/w-d-xo.html
Plpppppppppppl
Gnostic is one who bears knowledge lol do you know someone who turns up with some information the saviour is the information....
@@kellenlance7184 Could you tell me more about that
@@korymangum3836pm p
Pp pp
"Dating Thomas is actually really difficult." As a Thomas, I can confirm this statement.
Stop doubting yourself, Thomas! 😉 ✌️
You’re the man, Thomas!
Well played, sir.
111likes, i was meant to be Tuomas but my relative got named tuomas month before my birth😸🙃🐱
same
I believe there is actually one HUGE reason the Gospel of Thomas was not included in the Bible. It blatantly says that you do not need to go to a church! It says you can find God anywhere and everywhere. The early church would have looked at this and realize if people knew this bit of information they would be out of business!
Most of these early church leaders died for their beliefs. Would they really go against Christ by lying to us and then die a martyrs death? Also, do you really think Christianity would have made it without the physical presence and authority of the Church. If you do, explain to me how?
Well jesus did not go to church and neither was he a catholic, when he spoke of church he meant a community / body of Christian's. Hmmmm..
@@neil03051957 The NT does say that Jesus made a habit of attending Synagogue.
neil tighe I guess to get at the truth, you have to check the first century Church to see what the Apostles Church believed and practiced back then. I can help you with that!
Practise my truth with God, I attend to be in a like minded community, and the most is how to know.
Maybe Thomas was just writing the most important things he heard from Jesus. Just like me writing notes from my class
Maybe Thomas wrote the things from Jesus and everyone else wrote forgeries. In that way, everyone can gang up on Thomas and call him heretic.
Could Jesus even write?
Apparently he wrote his own story from third person point of view.
How do you decide what's "most important" here?
That being said note taking is probably the practical answer, though truth be told most of Jesus's disciples weren't educated enough to write down what they were taught. What they saw was passed on by word of mouth until someone who could write it down did.
Jesus speaks to him and also pulls him away from the other apostles to give him 3 sayings.
"Dating Thomas is really difficult..."
...this explains alot of my struggles with dating apps.
I do find it funny the man known for doubting may have wrote a Gospel people doubt.
It isn't the same Thomas, this gospel was written 150 years after the death of the mythical Christ and it was not written by the Apostle Thomas.
Gordon Campbell It would've been nice for the guy in the video to mention that and explain why it's called Gospel of Thomas
Worlds oldest irony.
Gordon Campbell actually Jesus Christ if going by regular archeological techniques was not a mythical person. He did exist the Romans have wrote about him and stuff but him being the son of God is up for you to decide. But he was a real person.
Gordon Campbell Christ wasn't a myth. That's the most ridiculous argument I've ever hear. Jesus Christ was the most influential man who ever walked this Earth. More than 2 billion people still bow to him and his teachings today. To say he is a myth is ridiculous. We have over 5,000 manuscripts that come within a few hundred years of Christ's death that mention him. The oldest coming within 5 years of his death! Yet you say he is myth?
The reason the Gospel of Thomas was left out is because it advocated spiritual knowledge as they key to salvation rather than faith.
The entire Bible is about knowledge the Holy Spirit is biblical knowledge most preachers just don’t preach biblical Christianity
@@snowinmiamiexotiks520 not as a way to salvation though
January Jolly
Thomas was right spiritual knowledge is the key and has always been,it speak of the does and don't to follow, it was the disguised Roman agent Paul that contradicted this as he contradicted most of what Jesus taught.
@@HerveyShmervy clearly you do not understand what spritual knowledge is !
Any revelation sent by God is spritual knowledge ,that is knowledge that is neccessary for understanding our role and responsibilities to God and the life needed to live here on earth.
@@brownsugar6231 what? Never said anything of the sort
I think its also important to mention that the Gospel of Thomas has a different theological stand point when compared to the Four Gospels or even the New Testament in general. Thats one major reason it isn't in the Bible.
Gospel of Thomas verse 114 - Simon Peter said to them, "Mary should leave us, for females are not worthy of life." Jesus said, "See, I am going to attract her to make her male so that she too might become a living spirit that resembles you males. For every female (element) that makes itself male will enter the kingdom of heaven."
That sounds pretty standard to me ;)
@@GizmoFromPizmo what does that mean?
@@swrl5275 - I'm pretty sure it has to do with the general Gnostic view of who Jesus is/was. The Gnostics believed that Jesus was a spirit and not flesh and blood. So when he says, "you males" in the passage cited above, it's a reference to His non-corporialness. The Book of Hebrews deals with that very theology in the first couple chapters. If Jesus wasn't one of us then He can't have died for us. That's pretty much the doctrine in a nutshell. Also, they must have had something against women or whatever. It's a strange group of people.
@@GizmoFromPizmo Did these people who wrote it knew Jesus or were they lying?
@@swrl5275 - That's an odd binary question. Is the sky blue or is it Tuesday? How do you answer a question like that? Matthew knew Jesus. John knew Jesus. Paul knew Jesus (the risen Jesus). I know where you're trying to go with your question but it is being asked from a complete lack of knowledge of the source material. Read the New Testament and then come back with a better quality question.
A true blessing throughout each teaching, every moment brings so much joy :)
The Gospel opens up with the line "Whoever finds the interpretation of these sayings will not experience death." That is seeking salvation through knowledge. Which is the definition of Gnosticism
Pip RN Stanton “Seeking salvation through knowledge” should read “seeking salvation through knowing.” Knowledge, to me, implies academics.
Pip RN Stanton very true. But the early church used it as a means of selling the afterlife angle.
Dragon Slayer their version of the afterlife.
@@bubb5225You can gain knowledge without academics.
While this is true, it's also ignoring the difference in the recurring themes of Thomas vs. Gnosticism. In Thomas you see some symbolism of two becoming one, or an erasure of division. (read: make the inside like the outside, the lower like the higher, etc), whereas in Gnostic text you see the opposite: Things being divided into higher or lower, better or worse, good or evil. There's also no denial of Christ being an actual human person in Thomas, whereas some Gnostic texts express doubt on that topic.
It's distinctly different from what we tend to consider Gnosticism.
This guy looks like the offspring of all the Beatles combined. Totally awesome.
🤣🤣🤣
He’s cute! Looks sharp in his suit!
lol
I thought he looked familiar.
It was a teleportation accident! The Beatles, all crowded into a transporter booth together, to get to a gig, but only one person stepped out on the other side. This guy!
I like how it doesn't say Jesus was divine, but it doesn't say he wasn't. When Thomas asks Jesus his identity, Jesus deflects and tells them to see what's in front of them. If Jesus was actually a human aspect of God, he definitely would have spoken in riddles the way he did in this gospel.
Hi Jonny. Jesus said he spoke in parables (riddles) so that some people might NOT understand him and be saved (Matt 13:11-13); (Mk 4"10-12). I can't figure it out, why do you think God would want to hide the truth? Cheers, PR.
Phillip, He only “hides” Himself to those who won’t seek Him.
Remember that He first tells them, in answer to their question as to why He spoke in parables, “To you has been given the secrets of the kingdom but to them it has not been given” Matt. 13:11,
And :
“ For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Heb.. 11:6
And:
“ It is the glory of God to conceal things,
but the glory of kings is to search things out.”
Prov. 25:2.
And:
“You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart, Jer. 29:13
@@CSUnger Thank you for your scriptural reply. Christians can't search too many scriptures because "all scripture is God given --(for our education)". (2Tim 3:16). However if Jesus spoke in parables in order to reveal truth only "to whom it is given," then where did that leave those disciples who clearly did not understand, (Matt 15:16-17) and needed the parables explained? In a later event "-many disciples went back and walked with him no more" and Jesus asked Peter if he would also go away. (John 6:66-67). Jesus definitely lost "many", not just Judas "the son of perdition" (John 17:12). More research needed.
"It is the glory of kings to search things out" Thanks, I like that, it gives me scriptural permission to continue my exegesis. My middle name is Rex. Cheers, PRR
He spake in parables so that only his elect (those who have ears to hear and eyes to see) would understand. In other words, those who were spiritually awakened.
@@H.C.Q. kinda self-explanatory. I know that.
Excellent. Precise and informative - with no annoying background music. Thank you. will donate when funds allow.
"dating Thomas is actually really difficult."
Just buy him lunch.
He might be straight may be why its so difficult for you to date him ?
He's a real diva from what I hear.
It's not you, it's him
You can't date him. He is dead.
Also dating Thomas isn’t hard just bring flowers
Cookies Tv ...oh..., I get it. It’s a play on words... had to think about that.... quite good, but you need to sharpen your wit...
Nonsense Wordplay meant to be Dismissive I suspect.
GFish 17 .... guess you don’t understand what wit means...you must be the life and soul of the party.... if you get invited... that’s wit for you
@@franceleeparis37 Ok, you start off by suggesting the one who posted this comment should sharpen their wit? Umm, you're the one who failed to comprehend their post within a couple of seconds of viewing it. I had no problems understanding it and I found to be quite amusing. I find the poster's witty humor to be clever enough. Who are you again to think anyone should take any advice from you? Ha! that's what I thought: nobody.
Feed me before you f*ck me...
Congratulations on your fantastic and informative channel.
Saint Thomas' personality, short and concise, factual, straight to the chase, "seeing is believing", is quite consistent with the writing style of the gospel (whether it was written or transmitted by him or not)
Good point.
Wow that makes sense
“Dating Thomas is actually really difficult”....well, he is dead (after all)
Weekend at Bernie's
Richard Silva time to date his spirit 🤣
😂
I saw him on Grinder
@@Vincenzo-wn1or 😆😅😂🙂,🤮
Why am I listening to one of the lost Beatles talk about religion?
The Phantom of the Paradise Points for effort.
Really?
.... hmm... good question.... perhaps he realised that Jesus WAS indeed bigger than The Beatles.
Elle Fox 😩😂😭🤣
The Phantom of the Paradise because he is the egg man!
what i love the most about your work is it is so concise!
Great video!
Once again, a masterful job.
Just my two cents. Among some in the theological there is the belief that the community that followed the Gospel of John did not like the followers of Thomas' gospel. Of the four gospels only John seems to give a "negative" view of Thomas. So much information.
The Gospel of John was basically a rebuttal to the Gospel of Phillip and the former is the only one to outright declare Jesus to be the Son of God. As I recall, the various gospels, in order of age, were Mark, Luke, Matthew, and John, with Mark being around 70? CE and John dating from the early 200s.
@@DTavona not true, John was written towards the end of the first century and the very beginning of the 2nd century, most likely around 90-110 CE.
The author of this gospel was probably a disciple of Mani, he did not know rabbi yeshua.
John is the heresy-killer. The three synoptics don't care that much about theology. They don't solve the problem of the nature of Jesus. God? An emanation of God? a particularly important prophet?
John does it form the start. Jesus is God. He's eternal. He existed since the start of times. He's of the same nature of his Father, that's also God. John is the source of almost all the Nicene Creed.
So it was written to solve some problem that started to arise in the Christian communities. Probably when the number of those that were direct witnesses of the predication of Jesus started to dwindle.
@@DTavona Those are pretty late dating for both Mark and John. Also Luke before Mattew seems not that likely.
One could say, they're "doubting Thomas" fits in their canon.
See what I did there?
Tom Foolery ...no, please explain...OH!!! I get it now! He was known as Doubting Thom.......(never mind) 😂🤣😅😜
Droll
@@robertalan937 ikr. Just "droll" with it.
I doubt that
@@tomfoolery5680 rim shot!
Love the Tattoine poster in the background. 😂❤️
This is hands down my favorite book being covered by my favorite TH-cam channel. Thanks!
Thomas preached gospel In south India.he died and still his remains are there and church is built there in Chennai ,India.
Trivia
Ansu Elizabeth Baby
Yes I have been there, they claim to be his burial site but on display is only dirt from a grave he was supposedly moved from
Chennai is a colonial era city, before the British built Fort st.Gorge in 1640, it was a tiny fishing village. If some christian preacher came to South India in the first century CE they would have gone to one of the existing urban centres
Aaah shut up Lady!
😂😂😂
It was Kerala. And there are Thomine influences still there from what I here. This might also explain why Joseph Campbell felt Thomas had some Buddhist influences which would be awesome imho
Your approach is refreshing and I look forward to more episodes
Great video, thank you!
Very well done presentation
What's really fascinating is that copies of the Gospel of Thomas are almost always found with copies of the Gospel of Jerry.
Lol I like that one
*Gospel of Jeremiah
Gospel of Tom and Jerry
😂😂😂
That’s where the stereotypical choir “ahaaaaaaaa” it’s brother Thomas screaming after Jeremiah dropped a hammer on his foot
Very interesting. Good vid.
Love the Tatooine poster btw ☺
Finally there is a small glimpse into what religion for breakfast believes himself. He has a picture on his wall of tatooine. the man's a Jedi Knight!!!
Probably going to have to read this Gospel. I always felt the Thomas persona as the “doubter” was VERY central to my gradual conversion and acceptance of Christ. If Doubting Thomas was a Disciple, then certainly there is room for me as a Christian.
That's what I've always said. Christianity has been a long and difficult journey for me.
Thomas wasn't a disciple he was a brother from another mother.
@@MichaelMcCullough-vs8hi No, Thomas was a Disciple.
Personally, I beleive certain passages - like Thomas 77 - kept it out of the bible. Telling believers that Jesus, and thus God, could be found outside the Church would have been crippling to the coffers.
True I totally agree with you and I think today people would agree that you do not need to go to church to talk to God
Douglas Thew Don't pick and choose what you want to believe, the early Christians didn't. they didn't include this in the Bible because it wasn't the inspired word of God. and not what Jesus taught to his apostles handed down to us.
@@anthonypalo8191 hang on why shouldn't he pick the four Gospels were picked buy a monk at the request of emperor Constantine they were just his choice
@@keithmahoney4390 this channel has videos on how no one chose the books in the new testament but intead early christian just read what they liked better. Even this video says so.
hence why i accept it more than the canonical ones. they all speak of salvation through those that can interpret it through his words. and who is supposed to know how to interpret them best?? the CHURCH...... hence only through them can you find salvation.
St.thomas came to south india.I am from india.There are many sites in kerala and Tamil nadu related to thomas.we are one of the oldest Christian's in india and world. Earlier there was no constant communication from europe as of today.that was the reason why his teachings are not famous as others
I'm glad to hear from you, brother.
But Thomas' teaching was no different from that of the other Apostles ..... and the South Indian Church is still in communion with the Churches of Syria, Egypt, Armenia and Ethiopia .... because the teaching is the same.
I passed the Church near Chennai many times on the bus, in Mylapore --- but it was before I became a Christian, and though I wanted to go and see it, I never did. I regret it now ! Then again, it's catholic, and I'm Orthodox ! Still, if I ever get back, I will see it this time.
Thomas accompanied Jesus to India after his resurrection + 40 days. The Sanhedrin lusted for his life like they still perecute Christians today in various forms (woke media, trans proliferation, LBGTQ etc).
Great job, I love your videos. Very comprehensive way to present religious scriptures and history. Congratulations
One very interesting take on the origin of The Gospel of Thomas is that by Nicholas Perrin in "Thomas and Tatian: The relationship between the 'Gospel of Thomas' and the 'Diatessaron'". Perrin makes a convincing case that Thomas was originally written in Syriac, not Greek, because of the unusually high number of words or figures of speech (502, specifically) that are distinctively Syriac in nature. Some of these distinctive words and phrases even appear in other Syriac works, such as the "Odes of Solomon." He also shows rather convincingly that the puzzling order of sayings in Thomas can be explained by noting that at multiple points, the sayings collections follow the order of Tatian's "Diatessaron." The Diatessaron was a gospel harmony written by Tatian, which drew its material from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...all four canonical gospels. Therefore this would explain Thomas' dependence on the canonical gospels, which many others have noted. If this theory is correct, then dating Thomas becomes easier, because the Diatessaron was written between 170 and 175 CE. And if that's the case, then Thomas must have been created some time after that period---long after its supposed author was dead.
I've heard of the hypothesis of Thomas' reliance on the Diatessaron but I haven't heard the arguments. Thanks for the explanation.
I have come to accept the book of Thomas because it has enriched a few topics I had questions about. I've read Thomas at least 10 times and I really enjoy it. And I'm now able to explain various of those saying which at first glance appear to contradict other saying but after further studying they go hand in hand with the rest of the bible.
I wonder if he knew more about Jesus personal life! I wonder why they didnt put Mary Madlene book neither in the bible! I would love to read her writings!🙄
@@caustularodriguez5601 Well, writing back in those days was expensive. only the privilege could do so. I'm very happy we got what we got.
Satan can use someone to make one up and say it's Mary's writings especially with the ignorance of most feminist today
It doesn't speak of the crucifixion, and the apostles were focused upon preaching the resurrection. It also encourages mysticism (looking within to find God).
It's not considered scripture, because if people could find God without the church, the church has no use.
Wow!! I love this explanation, nice job
Thank you!!! Exactly as I thought when I first found about this!!!
The church was certainly Useless in my search for Jesus..... I found Jesus through occult studies which lead me to the gospel of Thomas, I have the shroud of turin print on my wall and I don't celebrate the evil pagan holidays that the rest of the ignorant morons at the church do, all they do is sing.....
I agree with most of what you’ve said... but I found Jesus long before finding a good church with sound doctrine. I was praying to a Hindu Goddess when I came to Christ. I had out of body experiences, and met a rather interesting spirit because of this meditation, but I asked Christ to teach me the truth before I rode him off completely. You won’t catch me doing Kundalini meditation after what Christ revealed to me... that’s for sure!
Jesus will reveal his truth to those who seek it from him directly.
@@sunilchoudhury8957 interesting comment Sunil
It's more of a collection of quotes, very different from a gospel. If there is something redeeming I can point out about the Gospel of Thomas, I would say the intention to collect the words of Jesus seems important. There is only 114 collected quotes, so I would say that is kind of significant? Some of them do match the 4 gospels, maybe it's a mistake to dismiss the text? Do we not want to know every spoken word Jesus said?? I do! Thomas felt it was important to collect every word, it's definitely noteworthy.
Interesting theories, another very interesting theory is that the Gospel Of Thomas was originally written in Aramaic, not Syriac like many believe and was one of the Hebrew/Christian books (Gospels of the Hebrews/Nazarenes/Ebionites) suppressed by the early church.
@@donaldseigel4101 interesting I thought it was undecided origin? isn't Syriac and Aramaic a derivative of each other that branched off in different directions?
@@m-bronte Yes but Syriac was used in the Levant mainly among Christians (upper Syria, Iraq, Southern Turkey), Aramaic was used among many Christians and Jews/Arabs in Israel/Palestine/Jordan/Lebanon) and Egypt. Ian Phillip Brown argues that this gospel was written by the Hellenized Jews in Alexandria, but using the same theories it could have been written by the first Christians who were in Roman Syria Palaestina (Israel/Palestine/Jordan).
@@donaldseigel4101 Thank you for the revelation, I didn't know that! I accepted the one faction of information and didn't look any further, very interesting. thx for responding.
@@m-bronte Your welcome, Ian Philllp Brown put out some excellent studies on this if your interested in studying the matter further.
I identify with the figure of Thomas and [t]his Gospel. I do feel doubtful and feel a need to 'put my finger on it' and the sayings written really inspire a new type of faith, beyond 'just cling to these ideas'.
Edit: I appreciate your take of looking at Early Christianity as an organic and complex development, rather than the common dualistic notion of "Gnostics vs Orthodox". The development of religion is an organic and gradual thing, derived from Humans relation to their own existence and a collective construction of meaning.
Truly appreciate these presentations. Wish you didn't speak so fast.... But great depth and breath.
Will you consider further Wisdom presentations? Nocea, Sophia?
@@pailifenate3578in your youtube settings, you can slow the video down to as much as 1/4th the original speed of the video (:
Your videos are so amazing. Unbiased and legit information. Thank you
This channel is a very recent discovery for me and I am very pleased that I found it. Really great and very thorough work and enjoyable commentary. Keep up the awesome work.
very
It is interesting that in the following verse, Paul quotes from a scripture that has preceded him:
*However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived - the things God has prepared for those who love him- [1 Corinthians 2:9]*
Nowhere can we find such a statement in the Bible, however something very similar is found in the apocryphal Gospel of Thomas:
*“Jesus said: ‘I will give you what no eye has seen and what no ear has heard and what no hand has touched and what has not entered into the heart of man’” [Gospel of Thomas, saying 17]*
It is a quotation of Isaiah 64:4. If one follows the principles of NT quotation as per Solomon Glassius in ‘Phililogia Sacra’ , then Isiah 64:4->1Cor 2:9 is of the same type as Matt 4:10 or Rom 11:3,4. In such quotations, individual words are varied by omission, addition, or transposition.
Thomas was quoting Corinthians. Corinthians was written at least 50 years earlier
So unbiased and honest. Love it.
Oh, there’s bias here. Especially in not acknowledging the potential political reasons why Thomas was rejected or the historical circumstances that might have contributed to its falling out of favor. It’s as if he’s neglecting the diversity of belief from the earliest periods of Yešua’s followers up until the Islamic conquests. But it’s still a decent video.
Starts off the whole video by saying he doesn’t see how it’s a gnostic text, then proceeds to talk about how it just wasn’t as “common” as the other 4 gospels. Of course it wouldn’t be, it’s a gnostic text! The gnostics were severely persecuted as heretics by what came to be our modern church
Thanks Andrew, informative and concisely presented as always. Lots to contemplate and as comments have suggested, the answer on inclusion/exclusion might simply, and basely, be...follow the money.
Much respect to you, for your genuine interest in religion and sincere research.
As a muslim I esteem that highly.
ShiverSeeker you want to shiver, seek out the amanita muscaria mushroom and it’s truth that was stolen and you are blindly worshipping a twisted truth. Christmas is about the shaman Jesus.
@@getbennt
What in the world does that mean?
Alyssa Hansen your entire religion is based on a mushroom, google it please.
@@getbennt
.... Did you reply to the wrong person? I'm an atheist.
Mr Mr and you’re Christen ?
It’s because the Gospel of Thomas says to look within to find God not inside 4 walls paying 10%
Yeah that's why the Catholics immediately called it heresy.
What my Daddy (the wisest man I ever met!) would say regarding going to church: "If God is in your heart, you don't need a building. If God isn't in your heart, no building will help." 😏😉
@@jonnylawless6797 the word heresy actually means to think for yourself, the church doesn't like that! =)
@@oldschoolman1444 yeah man, I know that.
@@jonnylawless6797 Nice! A lot of people don't. =)
How about The Eggerton Gospel? Crossan has an interesting story and theory about it.
I just want to say I freakin' love this channel. I've gorged myself on many of your episodes tonight. Thank you!
Thomas sounds like a historical research document to me. Like someone or a group were doing historical research, collecting the sayings of Jesus/Yeshua (insert your preferred name) and recording them in one source. It makes sense to me that it would be older then, in that case. Interesting either way.
Wild Alchemical Spirit ... comparatively speaking, that is what the Hadiths in Islam are all about... the saying of the prophet.. but unlike the Gospels of Thomas, each Hadith was checked and attributed to a known person in the community... thousands of other sayings were rejected because they could not be corroborated...
Very good book. Give Some different outlook at some saying of jesus that I liked. The gospel of Mary magdalene a very good read as well. Good show.👍
I think the 'secret sayings' may very well reflect the time jesus was purported to have spent travelling around with his uncle - where he almost certainly would have travelled through india
I read somewhere that Jesus learned things in his 20s while traveling which is how he learned to heal people. So maybe you’re on to something. I just learned some somatic expirencing practices (rewiring the nervous system to heal from trauma loops) aspects of it come from India so therefore that could mean that God is not the only source to healing but rather the reflection of what god is capable of.
Here we have a scholar explaining something about early Christianity, and people in the comments completely ignoring him and commenting such nonsense ignorant stuff with such confidence, just amazing!
EDIT: Please don't read the conversation below, for your own good!
jassLmhn
You noticed that too. I've never seen so many people who don't believe in something hating on that something that they don't believe in so much. What none of them realize is that their "not believing" is just another "faith-based belief". Have a great weekend.
@ThisIsMyRealName
Are you atheist or agnostic?
There are elements in the gospel of Thomas which simply don't rhyme with the Bible. The gnostic elements in it for example that we still can be like Adam and Eve before the fall if we choose so. If that was true, than we ridicule the sacrifice of Christ.
but still it is written by a man and man made mistake, and now we don't know which words or sentences are wrong.
@@DonQ0
That's a common fallacy that atheists assume to be true and use it to argue against the bible. The bible we have today is 98% to 99% accurate with the originals. That's astonishing for a book that's thousands of years old.
Your channel reminded me to eat breakfast thank you
Best comment
Eat 🍳 breakfast...
I would love to know more about the Alawite people of Lebanon and Syria (and I assume elsewhere) if you could possibly do a video on them? thanks for all your work its truly amazing
I love your explanations. They’re very straightforward. I find it interesting that the reasons for Thomas not being included as a canonical gospel that you cite have nothing to do with the veracity (or potential veracity) of the text itself. The fact that it doesn’t provide historical context, wasn’t circulated with other Gospels, was not liked by the higher ups, and wasn’t popular, does not mean it wasn’t true or isn’t accurate. (I fully acknowledge that it is hard to identify whether or not the text was accurate, but I see the overlap with other gospel texts as more than interesting ) I guess for me, it’s an insufficient reason for the church to not have accepted it.
It brings a question for me, though. What was the criteria for any given book being accepted as canonical?
I enjoyed reading your comment, AJ, and since I'm becoming increasingly persuaded of both the early authorship and authenticity of the Gospel of Thomas text, I wanted to share a couple of ideas with you from my observations. (This paragraph got a little longer than I expected. Sorry.) It looks to me like the main reason the Gospel of Thomas didn't get included in the canon isn't because of what it says, but because of what it doesn't say. There's never a mention of sin, no talk of Jesus being the savior of humankind, nothing about a resurrection and nothing about a coming judgment. That leaves the reader to ask themselves, wouldn't these things have been mentioned if they were an important part of Jesus' actual teaching? Or did, perhaps, those things get added later by the authors of the canonical gospels? (That's my position, today.) To me, what points most strongly to the Gospel of Thomas reflecting Jesus' original teaching is the relative power I consistently find in the teachings themselves, when compared to each other. For one example (and I can produce several), compare Saying #20, the parable of the mustard seed, with the canonical version found in Matthew and Luke (Quelle). I challenge anyone to tell me a useful lesson from the canonical version, which mistakenly treats mustard as something intentionally planted and then developing into a tree! Good grief! It's a weedy plant that grows thigh high. The Gospel of Thomas, on the other hand, factually correct, teaches a sweet lesson about heaven being present wherever the humble (mustard seed) share of themselves (sheltering leaves and seeds) for others in need (the birds of heaven). That's my provisional take. Hope you can enjoy this ponder with me. Thanks for reading this and all the best to you in your ongoing enquiry. Neil Hundtoft
@@neilhundtoft4873 thanks for your analysis. Apt. Would love other examples.
@@OffRampTourist Hello SF. Thanks for this and I will enjoy responding. I just sent you an email which you can now disregard since I'm back here on the TH-cam site now. I'll be in touch soon. Thanks. Neil Hundtoft
@@OffRampTourist Hello again. To me, the Gospel of Thomas brings a message of comfort to the solitary, the marginalized and the poor with a teaching of presence and of living in the here and now. For me, these teachings resonate more deeply than do their parallel counterparts in the canonical gospels. The canonical parallels, by comparison, routinely trivialize a teaching or give it an apocalyptic sectarian application. To me, these observations support the idea that the Gospel of Thomas was the earliest of the gospels to be written and also that it offers the most authentic version of Jesus’ teachings to become available to us thus far. Here are a few comparisons for you to consider displaying what I believe I’m seeing there.
Saying #46 / John 7:24-28 One can be greater even than John.
The saying in Thomas teaches that as great a man (as a mind/body/ego/person born of woman) as John the Baptist was, anyone who becomes a child (one who rejects the ego identity and returns to the non-judgmental awareness of a nursing infant) will come to know a greater peace than even John the Baptist knew. In the Gospel of John parallel, however, it appears that John is simply being excluded from the kingdom for being less worthy than the least of those who did make it in, though we aren’t told why. Thomas teaches a lesson. John expresses an unexplained judgment.
Saying #86 / Luke 9:57-58 Finding no rest.
This saying of Thomas speaks to the human condition and is Jesus’ equivalent of the first noble truth of Buddhism. It declares that In all of being, humans are uniquely and chronically discontent, the rest-less species. In Luke, the words are employed merely as a self-referential complaint about having a busy schedule.
Saying #89 / Matthew 23:25-26 Washing the outside of the cup
The Thomas saying points out that the true self, the one “not born of woman”, is already perfect and complete and therefore in no need of washing. Self-help programs, fasting, meditation, classes, yogas and disciplines all aim to improve, repair and cleanse the ego-self. Because all such effort is the ego attempting to cure the ego, it is as futile as it is unnecessary. Yet Matthew’s position reflects this precise view. While the author chastises his audience for their hypocritical behavior, he tells them to clean up their thinking and attitude first so that they can behave appropriately. Thomas reflects a greater insight into the nature of the self.
Saying #107 / Luke 15:1-7 The lost sheep.
The Thomas saying describes how, discontented with our “flock”, we wander away in search of truth and peace on our own terms. Having exhausted our search and never finding what we were looking for, we give it all up in despair. At the end of our wandering, when we are sure we are lost and all is futile, we quit and call off the search. It is precisely our stopping the wandering and our becoming still that prepares us to be able to hear the sweet comforting voice of the shepherd telling us that we are and always have been precious and priceless life itself. The audience and benefactor of this saying from Thomas is the tormented individual who is given reassurance and comfort at their moment of despair. But when we look at Luke, we see the audience has become the church leadership celebrating their successful missionary program in bringing a sinner back into conformity with the flock.
I hope that this gives you an idea of how I’ve been approaching my read of Thomas. It’s difficult for me to compare these parallels and not be persuaded that the redaction by the canonical authors resulted in text lacking the spiritual gravity of the lessons we read from the Gospel of Thomas. As all of my study has been completely independent, I encourage and welcome any critique and corrections you have time to share. Thanks for the contact and for expressing interest. Neil Hundtoft
The canonical gospels place Jesus alone as the son of God, whereas the gospel of Thomas puts YOU as the son of God. To my mind that is why the canon rejects Thomas.
You’re missing a very integral and important part as to why this “gospel” is not in the Christian Gospel.
The Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It is this proclamation that is the foundation upon which all of Christianity is formed. It is the subject of the four canonical gospels, and is explicitly mentioned in every single Epistle in the New Testament.
The Gospel is contrasted with worldly wisdom by Peter and Paul. So, when a book comes along which proclaims to have “wisdom” without having any mention of the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Christ, it does not meet the standard for canonicity.
Christianity is a white man religion.bunch of delusional retards
@@angelogonzalez602 Christianity is not from Europe it is from Israel.
@@angelogonzalez602 : Don't even worry about it Gonzales,,, death will prove or disprove all our beliefs, ideology or speculation,,, "And just as it is appointed and destined for all men to die once and after this [comes certain] judgment",,,, Hebrews 9:27 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Very astute
Angelo Gonzalez Christianity originated in the Middle East?
The Gospel of Thomas is not about the historical Jesus. It is about what he lived and taught. Look where the finger is pointing, not at the finger.
great comment..thank you Sifu Bruce Lee!
It’s a fake Jesus, it’s an inward looking philosopher version of the Jesus from the gospels. It’s a lie and should be rejected.
2:24 i didn't expect the concept of a sourdough starter to come up but alright.
It sounds to me like this is the "Sayings Gospel" referred to by Papias, as recounted by Irenaeus and Eusebius.
It's not a gospel it's a collection. Thomas felt is was important to collect every word spoken by Jesus.
The Q source for Matthew and Luke was probably a sayings gospel, like Thomas. But because of the differences in these sayings, not the same as Thomas.
I enjoy your videos. I actually left atheism behind and became a Gnostic after seeing your video. I had a God shaped hole in my heart that left me depressed. I am much better today, so thank you!
Return to atheism once more
Become Christian
@@spazomaz nah man don’t become a cultist
@@Broomful Can't wait for the larping atheist "Christianity evil 🥺,baby die God evil."
@@spazomaz larping? Where? I bet your tiny brain doesn’t realize that everyone is born a atheist before they get indoctrinated by their parents.
I knew this guy was the real deal when I saw the Tatooine poster. Props, man. 🤣
Truth
Legend says this guy believes Tatooine is the Original place where Jesus was born
Have you ever noticed how many Jewish kids get to talk with authority about things in which they have little or no training?
Greek fragments of the Gospel of Thomas from the Nag Hammadi library are dated from in between 130 and 250 AD. "After the Coptic version of the complete text was discovered in 1945 at Nag Hammadi, scholars soon realized that three different Greek text fragments previously found at Oxyrhynchus (the Oxyrhynchus Papyri), also in Egypt, were part of the Gospel of Thomas.[24][25] These three papyrus fragments of Thomas date to between 130 and 250 AD."
As a Syro Malabar catholic, whose Ancestors were converts by St. Thomas, This was really interesting to me.
Cheers malayalee brother 🙏🏾
Very professional and understandable... Thank you
Very informative! Two things -- (1) You used the phrase 'Synoptic gospels', but, unless I missed it, you did not state what they were (although I know -- Matthew, Mark and Luke; and I know why); (2) I would like to see a video similar to this one about the book of Enoch (even though it is in the canon of the Coptic Christians).
Enoch is found in the canon of the Ethiopian Church only (and presumably the Eritrean, after they split off), but not in the other Oriental Orthodox Churches.
Ethiopian Christianity is sometimes still called Coptic Christianity, but the Coptic and Ethiopian Churches differ widely in expression (icons, vestments, singing etc.) and should not be confused. The Ethiopian Church used to have their Patriarch sent from Egypt, and it made more sense then to call them Coptic Christians. In the main, the Oriental Orthodox Churches agree on their Theology, though there are variations in details. For instance, the Ethiopian Church teaches that a "Pearl" was passed from Eve to Saint Mary, which ensured Mary's purity (a little like the Roman teaching of Mary being conceived without sin). Other Oriental Churches do not teach this : Mary called Jesus her Saviour, indicating that she too had our fallen nature and was in need of salvation (though they maintain that she never committed actual sin). This is not causing a schism - while differences in Christology, in the understanding of the Trinity, in the procession of the Holy Spirit, are too serious and would cause a schism.
Thank you for the break down of this. I find it extremely interesting. Jeff Robin and Ginny
The parable of the jar is the crown jewel of the gospel of Thomas. Enigmatic and impactful, with an intuitive message that defies direct explaination.
My interpretation is that the universe was created without much rhyme or reason, rather than specifically designed for us. But the purpose of religion is to make sense of chaos.
@@98Zai Religion is to come back into touch with God, connection, communion, living in God's Spirit. Even the word says so. The word religion comes from Latin re-ligare, to connect again. You know the word ligare from the English word ligament.
@@sunnyland3952 That's interesting! But how is that related to the parable of the jar?
Where did you get Non Kamati? I always thought it was Nag Hammadi, where the hoard of old scrolls were found.
aeon means ages (the zodiac), and achron means principalities which is a type of angel...
its a translation thing
Thank you!!
Would you recommend a good translated version of the Gospel of Thomas? thank you!
I'd love to hear your take on the book of Enoch.
I remember reading it when I was a sophomore! It was a real trip.
It helped me understand the bible better...and the world we have today to...
They were both rejected for the same reason...the book of Enoch was not written by the Enoch of Genesis, and the gospel of Thomas was not written by the disciple Thomas, who doubted it was really a resurrected Jesus who appeared to the disciples after He was crucified and confirmed dead . No book falsely attributed to an author can ever be accepted as Biblical...it's very simply the easiest way to eliminate what is not inspired by God Himself.
The book of Enoch contains 27 messianic prophecys
@@robertrude3573 Today , when you want your 15 minutes of fame , you take a selfie with a celebrity...in and around 200 B.C. to 200 A.D. when you wanted your 15 minutes of fame you wrote a fictional manuscript that borrowed heavily from already existing authoritative scriptures from the O.T or N.T. or both , and you signed the manuscript with the name of an already established Biblical person. That's what Enoch is, a fictional manuscript using borrowed texts from the O.T. and presented as an authentic book from "Enoch"...the Enoch of Genesis...that's to give it "street cred " It is already established that the book of Enoch was written sometime between 200 and 150 B.C....and that people of the time knew of it's existence and that it was not to be trusted. Enoch might be interesting reading...but it is assigned to a fictitious author and therefore is not a source of guidance for anything.
Clicked on this video because you look like a younger John Oliver.
Stayed for the informative content. :)
Clicking for the informative content, disliking for the resemblance to John Oliver
So let me hear what he had to say and let me see whether it strikes a chord in my heart.
Good video. Only criticism is that a LOT of information is covered very quickly. But very good. Keep up the good work.
Great points made. You're a smart dude.
Y do we trouble man
Can you do a video about the Q gospel or like that thing about the redactors
+ReligionForBreakfast +Alby Oooh yes please!!! That would be great. And mention the Gospel of Thomas, because this two are both “sayings-scriptures” and it was the Gospel of Thomas that proved the existence of “sayings-gospels”. Because there were a lot of people who were sceptical about that.
Lol imagine Thomas, chilling with his boy, Jesus, and every time Jesus says something meaningful and profound to him, he jots it down. 2k years later it's considered a holy gospel.
Great video. Concise & informative
I wasn’t sure what expect from this video, but I was curious what information and the approach you would use in this discussion of religious material. Most of all it was refreshingly open and unbiased. The information presented was all encompassing with all the facts available to in 2018 ce. I wish anyone presenting information on a religious topic would follow your method.
It’s too bad there isn’t a GPS tracking device attached to any and all the written material from that era pertaining to the life of Jesus, so that no more will be hidden, accidentally destroyed, or kept from the public domain of valuable antiquities.
Hey thank you for such an informative and insightful video. Thomas was supposed to have visited India and established a church and was martyred in what’s now the city of Chennai. It’s a source of huge debate, would you consider shedding some light on this ?
Jesus Is the way the Truth and the life the first and the last who ever confess that Jesus Is lord will be saved ❤️ Jesus loves you God is Good ..❤️Jesus is the only way to heaven repent Jesus is lord and Jesus is the son of God Jesus loves you ❣️we are all Born sinners we need Jesus no matter what because he loves usJesus loves you❤️❤️Jesus loves you so much ❤️ ❤❤Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.Jesus loves you❤️❤️Jesus loves you so much ❤️
Thank you!!!
Did you do any vids on Titus Flavian's possible influence on Josephus' work? If yes, any links?
No how I know this is B.S??? There were not steam engines in 200 AD, so no Thomas
Choo choo
😂
Unless you're over 1820 years old, how do You know there were no steam engines then??
@@JohnDoe-qz1ql blatant common sense
@@TheOne-AslanI suggest you look up every word you just posted so you yourself can understand your own message. Such arrogance to think we know SOOO MUCH, when in truth we know so little.
i just love the speed of your talking.
Good stuff.
Thank you for the informative video!!! super amazed at the detail!!
Feel like a book of sayings would sell pretty well in our society. I've been watching a bunch of these meme videos since the quarantine and it's basically 30 minutes of ADD videos. Kind of like just a list of sayings of Jesus
The thumbnail picture for this video looks like a ancient drawing of Stephen Fry - anyone else agree?
I’m glad to see the Beatles changed up their careers.
Thank you for this wonderful channel and all the information found in it. I would like to learn more about the tree of life.. itis mentioned in Genesis but very mysteriously.. what is it exactly? Is it a symbol of Jesus-Christ? And the fact that is already existed in many other ancient religions makes it a common beleif in any how? Thank you for clarifying this if possible.
The story features two trees, the Tree of Life, and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. The two humans were given the choice between the two. They chose death instead of life, deceived and prompted by the devil.
Other religions sometimes use some of the same symbols as Judaism/Christianity. It's a study of its own, if you're interested, but it is not necessary for Christian Faith, and rarely even helpful. Instead, it easily becomes a side track.
There are two constants that I see in all the gospels and teachings of and about Jesus that is to love and to look inside yourself for truth. I'm sure all the gospels contain some truth but the fact they have been retranslated several times and written by man which only means that there are most likely some imperfections. I have gotten closer to god now that i have learned to look within.
I see the similar teachings in the Old Testament and the New Testament. They help us find Truth.
Adam and Eve disobeyed God. He did not punish them for their lack of love or their lack of internal wisdom.
The Gospels do not talk of a secret hidden inside of us that can lead to eternal life. When the rich man asked Jesus how he could attain salvation, the answer was not suprising given all that we learned in the old Testament! Obey Gods commandments, give your wealth to the poor and follow me!
Michael Anderson The Sky Daddy!
@@eamonnmurphy1844 ..Didn't Jesus said.. The kingdom of God doesn't come with observation. You will not see it here or there. For indeed. The kingdom of God is within you..
@@petervermeer.4904 He did. But everyone has a verse to boost their point of view so...
That would vary on the versions and selections
That’s what I was looking for 11 disciples message, but I remembered in 1980s I saw bible had Thomas chapters, but not sure what bible I read that time I didn’t understand.
1. Love the Tatooine poster. 2. Jealous of the hair 3. Sorry for the late view and comments. 4. Great video. 5. Please make more.
I’m curious about the philosophy / doctrine that seems unusual compared to orthodox scripture, like versus 3, 19, and 22. Do you know the origin of these ideas? Thank you
There was a jewish gnosticism before Jesus' time. I'd venture the belief that jews were trying to subvert Christianity by producing Christian versions of gnosticism, as Paul wrote, "the mystery of inequity is already at work". The dominant Jews in Jesus' time were no longer true followers of Moses, but talmudists, as Jesus also hints. They had added things and subtracted things. Jesus doesn't specify, but this was about things they had learnt in Babylon. Later it was written down and became the talmud and the cabala.
I am so grateful I stumbled upon your channel! :)
Glad you like the videos!
@@ReligionForBreakfastTHERE'S NO WAY OUT OF THAT SATAN SYSTEM FOR YOU OR ANY ZOMBIE SO CALLED LIVING ON THIS EARTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DON'T MAKE ANY LONG TERM PLANS BECAUSE THE WHOLE EARTH WILL BE GETTING DESTROYED REAL SOON AND EVERYONE WILL BE TAKING THAT TRIP TO THAT HELL DOMAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@@ReligionForBreakfastTHERE'S NO WAY OUT OF THAT SATAN SYSTEM FOR YOU, OR ANY ZOMBIE SO CALLED LIVING ON THIS EARTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DON'T MAKE ANY LONG TERM PLANS BECAUSE THE WHOLE EARTH WILL BE GETTING DESTROYED REAL SOON AND EVERYONE WILL BE TAKING THAT TRIP TO THAT HELL DOMAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
0:44 ugh i KNOW, like he's always so stoic and he always makes me pick where we're going to dinner and i NEVER know so it always takes like hours and half the time it just ends in a fight and ordering seperate takeout at 2am instead, he's just... it's just that dating him can be so...