For centuries, the Bible has been the cornerstone of Christian faith. But a long-lost manuscript known as the Gospel of Thomas is stirring fresh debate—and possibly reshaping how some people view the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Unlike the four canonical gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), the Gospel of Thomas was never included in the New Testament. It was left out for various reasons, including its controversial interpretation of salvation and its lack of narrative structure—but now, renewed interest in the text has sparked questions across the academic and religious world.
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A Secret Message from Jesus?
The Gospel of Thomas opens with a bold statement:
“These are the secret sayings which the living Jesus spoke and which Didymos Judas Thomas wrote down.”
The manuscript features 114 spiritual teachings allegedly spoken by Jesus—teachings that focus not on His death and resurrection, but rather on inner truth, personal discovery, and enlightenment. Some scholars see it as a legitimate spiritual text, while others say it conflicts with core Christian theology.
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Why It Wasn’t Included in the Bible
According to biblical scholars, there are three key reasons the Church excluded the Gospel of Thomas from the New Testament canon:
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Lack of apostolic eyewitness: Experts believe the gospel was written in the mid-second century, long after the apostle Thomas (or any original disciple) had passed away.
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Contradictions with biblical doctrine: The teachings lean heavily on Gnosticism, a philosophy that promotes salvation through personal spiritual knowledge rather than grace and forgiveness through Jesus’ crucifixion.
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No narrative of Jesus’ life: Unlike other gospels, Thomas offers no context about Jesus’ miracles, death, or resurrection. Instead, it delivers sayings with hidden meanings—something many early Church leaders found problematic.
Revealing a Different Kind of Jesus
Dr. Marko Marina, Ph.D. in Religious Studies, explains that Thomas shifts the focus from sin and atonement to ignorance and self-awareness. One powerful quote attributed to Jesus in the text reads:
“Recognize what is in your sight, and that which is hidden from you will become plain to you. For there is nothing hidden which will not become manifest.”
Another teaching compares the search for truth to a fisherman discarding small fish to keep one large, meaningful catch:
“The wise fisherman… chose the large fish without difficulty. Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”
But perhaps the most thought-provoking statement from Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas is this:
“If they say to you, ‘The kingdom is in the sky,’ then the birds of the sky will precede you… Rather, the kingdom is inside of you, and it is outside of you.”
Learn more: Courses on Ancient Texts & Spiritual Wisdom – Enroll in Accredited Online Theology Degrees
Controversial or Enlightening? Scholars Still Divided
While some call the Gospel of Thomas a mockery of biblical faith, others believe it offers valuable insight into Jesus’ spiritual philosophy and the early Christian movement. Its teachings may not align with traditional dogma, but they challenge readers to think deeper about self-knowledge, faith, and the divine within.
Whether you see it as heresy or hidden truth, one thing is clear: the Gospel of Thomas continues to ignite conversation among theologians, spiritual seekers, and historians alike.
So what do you believe?
Could these secret sayings of Jesus carry truths that modern Christianity has overlooked?
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