The Gospel of Thomas: Unlocking the Gnostic Wisdom of Jesus

legitimate buyer: Was an interesting book to read.

United States on Mar 07, 2024

Eric Sanburg: This version of the Gospel of Thomas is excellent. From what I have discovered about this gospel, Thomas is source material for the Synoptic gospels. It was compiled prior to the death of Jame the Just (the brother of Jesus) in 62 CE, earlier than Mark (65-70 CE). This collection of 114 logia (sayings) served as an outline and resource, not a narrative, for the writers of the Synoptic gospels. Scholars knew this gospel existed because of the Oxyrhynchus Papyri found in Egypt the late 19th century. These papyri contained only portions of sayings. However, thankfully in 1945 the complete gospel was discovered as part of the Nag Hammadi Library. If you think you have never read this gospel, you are wrong; 62% of Thomas is found in Matthew and Luke, where 14% is used in Mark. John does not contain any of the sayings from Thomas. I use Thomas weekly in my Sunday School class. Much more than just a curiosity, the Gospel of Thomas is the closest to the original teachings of Jesus than anything else. This edition also contains insightful commentary by Jean-Yves Leloup to help you understand some of the more esoteric sayings. If you are serious about you broadening your spiritual knowledge...

United States on Jun 29, 2023

‎ ‎ ‎Mahatma Gandhi: Jesus knew what the Upanishads taught about humanity. It's non-duality (Advaita)

India on Jul 25, 2021

gjtindia: Possibly the oldest gospel about the words of Jesus. All other gospels we read in new Testament dates after the pagan emperor Constantine did his infamous editing, deleting and mixing up of fables to the scriptures. Go for it. Good translation and commentary.

India on Mar 07, 2021

Arthur Digbee: The Gospel of Thomas is the book that didn’t quite make the cut into the New Testament canon. It seems to be close to Q, the hypothesized source for Mark, Matthew, and Luke; as a collection of aphorisms and not a coherent narrative, it’s understandable why one might exclude it on literary grounds. In addition, Thomas sometimes leans in the direction of greater mysticism (or gnosticism), though I think that can easily be exaggerated. It's also more hopeful than some guilt-focused western traditions.

This book includes several parts that will be more or less interesting to you depending on what brings you here. The foreword by Jack Needleman and the introduction from the editor and translator, Jean-Yves LeLoup, are pretty conventional introductions to the Gospel of Thomas in the context of other gospels.

Next comes the text in Coptic, with a facing translation into English. These 50 pages will only be useful for those who read Coptic or who have begun to study it. (I am not among that group.)

After that comes the logia, each a section of text in the Gospel of Thomas. Each is about a paragraph or so long. LeLoup provides references to canonical scripture for...

United States on Dec 03, 2020

Linda Kerth: For once, I agree with the publisher's hyperbole. This text is far more than a mere translation. It is a translation that comes from the depth of a learned and spiritual soul after profound meditation on the saying's meanings. It takes deep side-trips into other areas that are as stunning as they are refreshing -- a journey into the realm of the imaginal, for example, and its conclusion -- that the imaginal level of reality is as real as the one I inhabit here, and most likely creates what we identify as the real. The imagination of the architect draws on paper what eventually becomes "real" when it is built on this level of existence. But that imagination, that creative space, is just as real.

Jesus tells us he is really here with us today and always: "Split a piece of wood and I am here." Leloup finds in these sayings that Mary of Magdalene was actually the true disciple of Jesus's thoughts, and she alone really understood what Jesus was trying to convey. Peter didn't have a clue. No wonder the Church could never accept this apocryphal text! And though Gnostic in interpretation, it side-steps all the silliness of some of those texts as well ... this is a beautiful and...

United States on Nov 17, 2020

Barry: Good read

Canada on Jun 07, 2019

verbaud: Thomas leaned more toward the esoteric East than the "law & order" Roman West. I wish I had been taught from this book instead of :"Jesus died for you, you disgusting little worm." Seeking the Light inside so you can see the Light in others is a much more inviting outlook & philosophy than the Black & White dichotomy taught by most christian sects. Imagine church fathers were terrified their sheep would wander away, so they called this a heresy and tried to destroy all copies. And look at where christian churches are today...millionaire politicians preaching hate.
I very much appreciate Jean-Yves LeLoup's interpretations of each logion. I'll stick with the gnostics who sought Truth instead of Law & Order millionaires to lead them to the Light.

United States on Nov 06, 2018

MDY: Easy to read with interpretation included at end of book

Australia on Mar 16, 2015

HeyFattyBum: I've always looked at religion as little more than a method of brainwashing and for creating narrow minded, non-critical thinkers. However, I have always been fascinated by the major personalities of these religions as I've always believed that if they saw what their teachings had become, how they've been twisted and wrought terror all over the world they'd surely be eternally sorrowful. I love 'spirituality', and have always been a seeker for 'truth' - whatever that may be.

Jean-Yves Leloup I believe has captured something marvellous here. When I read this book every fibre of my soul cried YES!!! This is what Jesus was trying to teach us. It was as if the man Jesus was right there with me, speaking these words directly to me.

If ever such a man existed and was the great, loving man that I believe him to be, then these are surely his words. Thank you jean for such a wonderful interpretation that really goes deep and makes you think.

United Kingdom on Feb 22, 2015