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- THE FOLLOWING is a stricter, more condensed presentation than the ampler,
more loose one here.
- Our study-linked articles are also lined up with The Gospel
of Thomas.
- Further, many academic studies are centred in it.
"Anyone here with two ears had better listen! There is light within a person of light, and
it shines on the whole world. If it does not shine, it is dark," said Jesus. [Loggion
24]
Tick tack toe teaching
1
The best things to be had aren't easily attained most often. So best things
are hardly easy - and yet
THERE WAS insider following and more extrovert faith already around Jesus. Look
into what's thought to be remnants of the insider Christianity of Jesus. It deals with
entering heaven - straight contemplation is thought to be fit for that.
The gospel of Thomas goes much into insider teachings, and not all from his close
band of disciples had much of an inkling of it, after all was done and said!
Jesus said, "I am all: from me all came forth, and (...) Split a piece of wood; I am
there. Lift up the stone, and you'll find me there." [Thomas 77]
The question is hardly whether these sayings can be trusted as genuine Christianity, as
they tie in with major strains from the four canonised gospels, but how far we have come
to see them as true.
Jesus said, "Congratulations to those who are alone and chosen, for you will find
the kingdom. For you have come from it, and you will return there again." [Thomas
49]
Here's a part of the teachings of John Calvin in a nutshell, the bits about preselection.
Some get chosen, and a man detects what he's equipped for from inside.
You may not get a hearty welcome from an ant, no matter how good-looking you are,
and he falls short in living out democratic ideals and similar philosophy. So if you don't
thrive in the hustle and bustle of the urban slum, something tall in you is at work -
don't deny it!
Try to get a fit welcome from somelone like yourself. It's most often fit. And
next the natural interests can merge and operate better, thanks to mutual influence, and
in a resiprocality-fit set-up.
Jesus: "You've become intoxicated from the bubbling spring that I've
tended."
And he took him, withdrew, and spoke three sayings to him. When Thomas came back
to his friends they asked him, "What did Jesus say to you?"
Thomas said to them, "If I tell you one of the sayings he spoke to me, you'll pick
up rocks and stone me, and fire will come from the rocks and devour you." [Thomas
13]
It surely looks like your figurative whisky drinking father has his forerunners, or
what?
Here the apostle reveals that you're free to keep insider sayings to yourself for
the rest of your life - and hide them from apostles of Jesus, even! Still:
"There's nothing hidden that won't be revealed. [Thomas 5]
What more is to be expected from insiders, then, that enigmas get clarified after being
hidden for many weeks? You can do it too - sleep on the more important matters and one day
wake up to a good solution. That's one practical outlet.
The kingdom's within you and it's outside you. [Thomas 3]
The art of sound diving inside - contemplation - is to strive to take it inside and go on
from there as fits.
Jesus said, "A city built on a high hill and fortified cannot fall, nor can it be
hidden." [Thomas 32]
It surprisingly happened to Jerusalem during the reign of Vespasian. In 70 AD, the armies
of his warfare-skilled son Titus surrounded the city of Jerusalem. After a bloody siege,
the city was overrun, the temple destroyed, and the Jews taken captive."
"Whoever doesn't hate father and mother cannot be my disciple. And whoever doesn't hate
brothers and sisters, and carry the cross as I do, won't be worthy of me." [Thomas
55]
This looks strange for the one who is told to love all, even enemies. It surely does. Can
you do it? Can you go contrary to most things fit for natural survival?
Jesus had compassion on the crowds, for they were harassed and helpless like sheep
without a shepherd. That's the platform for any sound ministry - not deprivation and
bizarre word magic (mumbo jumbo).
His apostles were to help harassed and helpless people, not capture them and tie
them hand and foot. "Send out field workers, therefore." - We should say that platform is
very valid, and has to be given the first place for modern followers today. - See
Matthew 9;36-8.
It's not easy to be a Christian, and to be a feigning one speaks of a dire need to
shake off dust and look better into things. The simple and often overlooked truth is that
much is not settled. It was not with Jehovah. He changed his course rather often. Even the
temple worship crashed against the regular worship he demanded surrounding and inside the
goat skin tent.
Jesus said, "I disclose my mysteries to those of mysteries. [Thomas
62]
Candidly, enigmatic pre-selection can look like a great stumbling-block for not a few
Christians. Yet it hardly has to - there's room for more. And "all, all is possible with
the one that has faith - and with God" are two gospel citations rolled into one here -
both from the lips of Jesus.
Jesus also taught that his teachings were to be spread in foreign countries, among
foreigners, with him as the foremost patron, no matter what.
What should be focused on? His thoughts fit for Jews a rather long time ago? Or
some well selected medley? The Jews declined the invitation for dinner, so to speak, and
were largely out from then - but with fairly many exceptions - including the first
followers and apostles too.
Jesus taught apparently conflicting things. He said this and did something
opposite in canonical matter of his day.
There's reason to assume that the new development of Christianity that took place with the
apostles and the Holy Spirit (Acts 15, Peters's vision etc.) was steered in
fidelity - Jesus had told he would be with them, remember. And the Holy Spirit had
agreed.
What's more, there could be room for another lesson: Some trees have seeds, others
have offshots. Others have both. And next there is the lesson of the drooping birch. It's
held to be a natural mutation - very nice also. It's fair to say Jesus compares his
kingdom with a mustard tree and living plants. It behoves us to look to them to understand
his stuff more and better, then.
2
Must not obeying Jesus consist in doing greater works too?
THE FIRST teachings seemed reserved for Jews only. Jesus nearly confided that to
the Samaritan woman.
And yet, after his death and burial, he taught the missionary command at the back
of Matthew.
Falter not, apostles and the Holy Ghost were indeed empowered to dismiss his
doctrine for Jews, to make the yoke easier for Gentile followers. That's more like
it.
Can we select one link and ignore the others - or most others? Jesus talks of a
whole as central for health and going against decadence inside the gospel of
Thomas:
Jesus: "I am the one who comes from what is whole." ... "If one is whole, one will be
filled with light, but if one is divided, one will be filled with darkness."
[Thomas 61]
"Don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing." [Thomas 62
(excerpt)]
The last item on the list seems to speak of fragmentation as central for health as
a true follower, but one who is filled with light, had better not be divided in stupid,
silly ways.
To do greater deeds than God himself is the challenge for well-night any genuine
follower. [See John 14;12] To hammer differently is to be perverted.
The case is documented: Even though Jesus said a lot, many staunch followers were
empowered to waive this and that and go for a living! That's the state of affairs today.
If we dispense with that key, we might lose. To obey Jesus is also to climb so hight that
one dispenses with much from him - and it's fair to suggest most churches have
accomplished much of it. We speak of practical living - having, getting, buying and having
a good Christian home, for example. Eh? We talk of the actions that show the deeper
motives.
3
Divergent teachings still live on and testify to the "room for more, for gaps
and splits in the name of Jesus". You can accommodate accordingly
BEFORE his death he said he would give the Comforter and Reminder of all he had
taught. He also said he would accompany his true followers. The marks: The true followers
are marked by casting mountains into the sea, waking the dead - Peter did - and drinking
poison heavily. They can lay their hands on ill persons and making them well in a single
moment.
Now comes the intriguing question against freak following: "Just what sort of
original Christianity are we talking about it the case of the peacock's Hindu-American
Church?"
It can be very hard to determine in the light of what's been allowed and done
during the long story of Christianity. Among fruit-bearing trees and bushes we find many
odd outcomes: the boysen berry is a hybrid, and nice. Very many varieties of plums, apples
and pears have been cultivated - let's not forget that Jesus asked for good fruit, and
cultivation is a hit.
Already in the old Church, divergent teachings made gaps and discord, all against
the unity that Jesus wanted - Paul reveals how deep-seateed discord was - it was in flower
among the first followers. Paul qarreled with Barabbas, even Peter. [Dg] €
Inside the "incredible" teachings of Jesus some points loom taller than most
others, or so it seems. It's very likely that his teachings demand progress, some kind of
gentle progress. The art of living is largely that. Paul went into it by his talks of
running and pressing towards the goal like an athlete, by feeding beginners on milk fit
for babies, but advocating adult thinking as one over-arching matter, in time.
Do we ignore that Jesus while alive, vouched for the Comforter's deeds and
promised to be linked to his men inside his dominion?
In the last analysis, the best way to get to grips with this stuff, is to look
blandly into the cornerstones of the Law, the teachings of Jesus we know of - not leaving
out good stuff from Thomas and Paul and eminent traditions - and so on, down to our age.
If there's an Ariadne thread to follow, let's pick it up. If not, let's select to our
ability so as not to flounder. There's no easy way out here. (7)
What can you learn? The Emmaus text
In Luke 24 two men were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles
from Jerusalem. Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from
recognizing him.
"Jesus of Nazareth ... was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all
the people," they said. "The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced
to death, but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel."
He said to them, "How foolish you are." He explained to them what was said in all
the Scriptures concerning himself. They approached the village, and he agreed to stay with
them.
Inside, their eyes were opened: they recognized him and he disappeared.
Later, in Jerusalem, they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled
together. It was told: "The Lord has risen."
Then the two told how Jesus was recognized by them. While they were still talking
about this, Jesus himself stood there and said, "Peace be with you."
What happened to his friends? They were startled and very much
frightened.
He said to them, "Why so troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? It is I
myself! He showed them his hands and feet. He next ate in their presence.
And then he went on to open their minds so they could understand the
Scriptures.
WHAT ELSE could you learn? The serialised way of presenting items help that. The
following is our summary of the text above the "Emmaus" text.
1. It's a lot easier to remain thriving if well instructed. Otherwise, it's not easy
to be in dire need, to be a Jewish Law-Christian, to be taken underneath the water
surface, etc.
THE BEST things to be had aren't easily attained most often. We can see that. So
best things are hardly easy - and yet some do come as gifts.
Try to get a fit welcome from someone like yourself. It often helps.
You may likewise do well to remain very cogent and fit.
It surely looks like your figurative whisky drinking father has his forerunners,
or what? What more is to be expected from insiders, then? It's not easy to be a Christian,
and to be a feigning one speaks of a dire need to see with the heart that even Jesus
taught apparently conflicting things, but inside a "thing" (Christianity) that change as
it moves along.
2. Know the content to be able to speak thoughtfully.
MUST NOT obeying Jesus consist in doing greater works too? Do greater works that
being fractionated: "Don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing."
[Thomas 62 (excerpt)] What Jesus appeared to hint of through this adage, was bland
discretion, not a schizoid mind.
You should know the content of most Thomas quotes tie in with core messages found
inside the four gospels.
Feel free to do greater deeds than God, and learn to show the deeper motives.
3. The fish lives in the middle of water. Be in the middle of divergent lessons as
well. It could make a difference in thriving.
VERY DIVERGENT teachings still live on and testify to the "room for more, for
gaps and splits in the name of Jesus". You can accommodate accordingly. Decide on what's
trick questions. Jesus often had to.
Decide on what's the most relevant and esteemed intriguing question before you
speak up inside a dogma camp as a minor.
Alas, already in the old Church, divergent teachings made gaps and
discord.
But do we ignore that Jesus while alive, tended to bring division, strife and
discord on a large scale? In his footsteps, you can do the same, or you can let be if you
receive the baton in your family's relay race of expertise and knacks for handling this
and that. Do that. Honour some parent in a very practical, best and fit way is even close
to a commandment.
"If you fast, you will bring sin upon yourselves, and if you pray, you will be
condemned, and if you give to charity, you will harm your spirits," said Jesus [Loggion
14]
YOU MAY have heard the term "doubting Thomas". It should be clarified: Severe
scepticism didn't shut any doors for the apostle Thomas, all in all. You don't need faith
if you're circumspect, Jesus shows through that one. Isn't that good?
You must do something as well. Thomas applied his finger well, and so should you.
We shouldn't say Thomas is to be left out from the Bible for good.
A complete version of the Gospel of Thomas in Coptic (the native Egyptian language
written in an alphabet derived from the Greek alphabet) was found in Nag Hammadi in Egypt
in 1945. That version can be dated to about 340 A.D. Scholars believe that the Gospel of
Thomas was originally written in Syria in the Greek language.
Jesus said, "The [Father's] kingdom is like a woman who was carrying a [jar] full
of meal. While she was walking along [a] distant road, the handle of the jar broke and the
meal spilled behind her [along] the road. She didn't know it; she hadn't noticed a
problem. When she reached her house, she put the jar down and discovered that it was
empty." [Loggion 97]
IT ALL DEPENDS on what you mean by gnostic. If you by Gnostic mean the belief that
people have a divine capacity within themselves and that they can come to understand that
the Kingdom of God is already on the earth if they can come to perceive the world that
way, then Thomas is gnostic.
But if you mean by Gnostic the religion that differentiates the god of this world
(who is the Jewish god) from a higher more abstract God, a religion that regards this
world as the creation of a series of evil archons/powers who wish to keep the human soul
trapped in an evil physical body then no, Thomas is not gnostic.
This differentiation is very important, for historical reasons.
 | | "Ask a little child to become a single one" |
Jesus said, "The person old in days won't hesitate to ask a little
child seven days old about the place of life, and that person will live.
For many of the first will be last, and will become a single one." [Loggion
4]
THE BASIC perspective is that the Kingdom of God is spread out on the earth now,
if people can just come to see it; and that there is divine light inside all people, a
light that can enable them to see the Kingdom of God on the earth.
Further, the perspective of Thomas is that the Image of God in the beginning
(Genesis chapter One) still exists and people can assume that identity, an identity that
is neither male nor female.
Jesus said, "If your leaders say to you, 'Look, the (Father's) kingdom is in the sky,'
then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, 'It is in the sea,' then
the fish will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is within you and it is outside
you.
When you know yourselves, then you will be known, and you will understand that you
are children of the living Father. But if you do not know yourselves, then you live in
poverty, and you are the poverty." [Loggion 3]
THE ANSWER to the headline is well, maybe. There was once a Q gospel and a Mark
gospel. The Q gospel is thought of by Bible scholars as a mid-first century document that
consisted of a list of Jesus' sayings. That document, which German scholars called
"Quelle," has come to be known as Q.
The Q and Mark gospels were revised and combined into Matthew and Luke gospels.
There were four interrelated texts that testify to a single view of Jesus; that he was a
man who predicted the early end of this world and its violent replacement by a future
Kingdom of God.
If these texts have it right, then Thomas is divergent from Jesus' own
perspectives.
But there is also a John gospel that testifies to the present reality of God's
Kingdom and the presence of the divine in the world. As we prelates should say: "John's
gospel, like Thomas' gospel, focuses on the actuality of the divine in the
present."
So perhaps one must decide for oneself whether the John/Thomas perspective
reflects Jesus' own ideas or whether Q/Mark and then the later, revised versions called
Matthew and Luke do so.
Jesus said, "Congratulations to you when you are hated and persecuted; and no
place will be found, wherever you have been persecuted." [Loggion 68]
THE GOSPEL of Thomas is a list of sayings. Most of the sayings in Thomas are not
in Q [Quelle, a theorised mid-first century document that should consist of a list of
Jesus' sayings].
Probably Thomas and Q circulated separately. Their points of view are quite
different, Thomas stresses the presence of the Kingdom of God now. Q insists that the
Kingdom of God will arrive at some future time.
Matthew said to him, "You are like a wise philosopher."
Thomas said to him, "Teacher, my mouth is utterly unable to say what you are
like."
Jesus said, "I am not your teacher. Because you have drunk, you have become
intoxicated from the bubbling spring that I have tended."
And he took him, and withdrew, and spoke three sayings to him. When Thomas came
back to his friends they asked him, "What did Jesus say to you?"
Thomas said to them, "If I tell you one of the sayings he spoke to me, you will
pick up rocks and stone me, and fire will come from the rocks and devour you." [A part of
loggion 13]
WHO KNOWS for sure? Many sayings in Thomas are also in Mark, Matthew and Luke. And
it is quite possible that Thomas retains sayings that the biblical gospels don't retain
and ... that Thomas is more reliable as a guide to some sides of the thinking of Jesus and
some of his utterances than the biblical gospels are.
Jesus said, "Congratulations to the one who came into being before coming into
being.
If you become my disciples and pay attention to my sayings, these stones will
serve you." [Loggion 19]
THE BIBLICAL canon is at present a closed entity. You can add the Gospel of Thomas
to your late night readings, however.
CLICK on 'Literature' for the references of about 2000 works.
ANNOTATIONS: Acronym letters in square brackets in the text refer to works. Click on
'Literature' above for examples. Page references are put right after reference letters.
The abbreviation cf. means "compare". [MORE].
SEARCH THE SITE: Click on the rose in the upper left column for site
searches, access to dictionaries, and further.
REFER to the page by its 'location' address (above).
PILOTING: Some pictures and texts on top of the pages are clickable, to ease
navigation. [MORE]
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Supporting "well medleys" are presupposed
throughout:
