
The Gospel of Thomas
Annotated & Explained
SkyLight Paths Publishing,US
Published on 17. October 2002
Book
Hardback
160 pages
978-1-68336-375-0 (ISBN)
Description
The recently discovered mystical sayings of Jesus, with facing-page commentary that brings the text to life for you.
"The Gospel of Thomas really is, I believe, the clearest guide we have to the vision of the world's supreme mystical revolutionary, the teacher known as Jesus. To those who learn to unpack its sometimes cryptic sayings, the Gospel of Thomas offers a naked and dazzlingly subversive representation of Jesus' defining and most radical discovery: that the living Kingdom of God burns in us and surrounds us at all moments."
-from the Foreword by Andrew Harvey
This ancient text can become a companion for your own spiritual journey. In 1945, twelve ancient books were found inside a sealed jar at the base of an Egyptian cliff. One of those texts was the Gospel of Thomas, one of the most important religious archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century. While illuminating the origins of Christianity, it raises the question whether the New Testament's version of Jesus' teachings is entirely accurate and complete.
Written at the same time as the canonical Gospels, the Gospel of Thomas portrays Jesus as a wisdom-loving sage. The aphoristic sayings emphasize the value of the present, teaching that the Kingdom of God is here and now, rather than a future promise or future threat. It presents a new way of looking at the challenging and intriguing figure of Jesus, and reminds us that the Divine can be found right here on earth.
Now you can experience the Gospel of Thomas with understanding even if you have no previous knowledge of early Christian history or thought. This SkyLight Illuminations edition offers insightful yet unobtrusive commentary that explains references and philosophical terms, shares the inspiring interpretations of famous spiritual teachers, and gives you deeper understanding of Thomas's innovative message: that self-knowledge and contemplation of the nature of this world are the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.
"The Gospel of Thomas really is, I believe, the clearest guide we have to the vision of the world's supreme mystical revolutionary, the teacher known as Jesus. To those who learn to unpack its sometimes cryptic sayings, the Gospel of Thomas offers a naked and dazzlingly subversive representation of Jesus' defining and most radical discovery: that the living Kingdom of God burns in us and surrounds us at all moments."
-from the Foreword by Andrew Harvey
This ancient text can become a companion for your own spiritual journey. In 1945, twelve ancient books were found inside a sealed jar at the base of an Egyptian cliff. One of those texts was the Gospel of Thomas, one of the most important religious archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century. While illuminating the origins of Christianity, it raises the question whether the New Testament's version of Jesus' teachings is entirely accurate and complete.
Written at the same time as the canonical Gospels, the Gospel of Thomas portrays Jesus as a wisdom-loving sage. The aphoristic sayings emphasize the value of the present, teaching that the Kingdom of God is here and now, rather than a future promise or future threat. It presents a new way of looking at the challenging and intriguing figure of Jesus, and reminds us that the Divine can be found right here on earth.
Now you can experience the Gospel of Thomas with understanding even if you have no previous knowledge of early Christian history or thought. This SkyLight Illuminations edition offers insightful yet unobtrusive commentary that explains references and philosophical terms, shares the inspiring interpretations of famous spiritual teachers, and gives you deeper understanding of Thomas's innovative message: that self-knowledge and contemplation of the nature of this world are the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Reviews / Votes
"Professor Davies has taken the Gospel of Thomas to the next level of intelligibility and accessibility. The commentary stretches the mind, while the comprehensible and accessible translation make Jesus' (and Thomas's) voice clear. A masterful resource for both spiritual and intellectual seekers!"-Richard Valantasis, Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins, Iliff School of Theology
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Woodstock
United States
Publishing group
Jewish Lights Publishing
Product notice
Laminated cover
Dimensions
Height: 222 mm
Width: 145 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
382 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-68336-375-0 (9781683363750)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

The Gospel of Thomas
Annotated & Explained
E-Book
12/2012
1st Edition
SkyLight Paths
€19.49
Available for download
Previous edition

Book
Skylight Paths Publishing
€45.94
The article will not be published
Person
Stevan Davies is professor of religious studies at Misericordia University and has studied the non-canonical gospels and acts for over thirty years. Among his books are The Gospel of Thomas: Annotated and Explained, The Secret Book of John: The Gnostic Gospel-Annotated and Explained (both SkyLight Paths) and The Revolt of the Widows: The Social World of the Apocryphal Acts. He has also published books about the canonical Christian scriptures including New Testament Fundamentals and Jesus the Healer: Possession, Trance and the Origins of Christianity. His website (http://users.misericordia.edu/davies/thomas/Thomas.html) is a leading Internet resource on the Gospel of Thomas.
Translated with commentary
Content
Preface ix
Foreword by Andrew Harvey xiii
About the Gospel of Thomas xxv
Introduction xxxi
Cast of Characters xli
Sayings of the Gospel of Thomas 3
Suggested Readings and Resources 141
Foreword by Andrew Harvey xiii
About the Gospel of Thomas xxv
Introduction xxxi
Cast of Characters xli
Sayings of the Gospel of Thomas 3
Suggested Readings and Resources 141