Historical Background of the Gospel of Thomas
Authorship and Date
Literary Form
2. Manuscript History
Discovery
Textual Transmission
3. Rejection by Ancient Christian Writers
Church Fathers’ Criticism
Why It Was Rejected
4. Modern Scholarly Interpretation
Mid-20th Century Onward
(A) Early Independent Source Theory
(B) Late Gnostic Composition Theory
Key Themes in Thomas
21st-Century Developments
Our Discussion
Title: The Gospel of Thomas: Exploring Early Christian Diversity
I. Introduction (10 minutes)
Objective: Set the stage for why this topic matters.
Discussion Starter:
Have you ever heard of the Gospel of Thomas before today? What comes to mind when you hear about “lost” or “excluded” Gospels?
II. Historical Context & Discovery (15 minutes)
Objective: Understand when and where the Gospel of Thomas arose and how we have it today.
Key Points:
Visual Aid Idea:
Map of Nag Hammadi and timeline showing discovery and dating of manuscripts.
III. Rejection by the Early Church (15 minutes)
Objective: Explore why the Gospel of Thomas was not included in the New Testament.
Key Points:
Discussion Question:
What criteria do you think were most important for early Christians when deciding which books to include in the New Testament?
IV. Themes and Sayings in Thomas (20 minutes)
Objective: Introduce the content of the Gospel and reflect on its meaning.
Sample Sayings to Read Together:
1. Logion 3 – “The kingdom is inside of you and outside of you.”
2. Logion 77 – “I am the light that is over all things…”
3. Logion 114 – Peter says women must become male to enter the kingdom.
Themes:
Group Activity:
Break into small groups and reflect on what one saying might mean—then share with the class.
V. Modern Scholarly Views (20 minutes)
Objective: Compare interpretations from major 20th–21st century scholars.
Discussion Prompt:
Should we read Thomas devotionally, historically, or not at all? What place (if any) does it have in Christian reflection?
VI. Final Thoughts and Application (5–10 minutes)
Objective: Wrap up and reflect on the value of exploring non-canonical texts.
For wisdom in understanding the deep roots of our faith, and openness to the Spirit’s leading in all truth.
Optional Add-ons and Handouts
Handout #1: Key Sayings from the Gospel of Thomas
Handout #2: Canon Criteria in Early Christianity
Handout #3: Comparison Chart
Slide Deck Suggestions
Slide Titles:
1. Title Slide: The Gospel of Thomas
2. Timeline: Origins and Discovery
3. Map of Nag Hammadi and manuscript photos
4. Canon Rejection Reasons
5. Sample Sayings Slide (Logion 3, 77, 114)
6. Scholar Views Comparison Chart
7. Discussion/Reflection Slide: What’s the Value?
PowerPoint Presentation: The Gospel of Thomas
Subtitle: Exploring Early Christian Diversity and the Boundaries of the Canon
Slide 1: Title Slide
Slide 2: Class Overview
Slide 3: Who Was Thomas?
Slide 4: Manuscript Discovery
Visual: Photo of Nag Hammadi codices, map of Egypt with find spots
Slide 5: What Kind of Gospel Is It?
Slide 6: Dating and Authorship
Slide 7: Why the Early Church Rejected It
Quotes from:
Slide 8: Key Sayings from the Gospel of Thomas
Slide 9: Major Themes in Thomas
Slide 10: How Thomas Compares with the Canonical Gospels
Speaker Notes
Slide 1: Title Slide
Speaker Notes:
Welcome everyone! Today we’re diving into one of the most intriguing non-canonical writings from early Christianity: The Gospel of Thomas. We’ll explore its origins, why it was excluded from the Bible, and how modern scholars interpret it today.
Slide 2: Class Overview
Speaker Notes:
We’ll cover three big questions:
1. What is the Gospel of Thomas and where did it come from?
2. Why didn’t the early church include it in the Bible?
3. What can we learn from it—whether historically, spiritually, or theologically?
Slide 3: Who Was Thomas?
Speaker Notes:
Thomas means “twin” in both Hebrew and Greek. Some early Christian traditions claim he was Jesus’ twin brother, but most scholars think this is symbolic. He plays a prominent role in Eastern Christianity, especially in India, and was later used as a fictional figure in spiritual writings.
Slide 4: Manuscript Discovery
Speaker Notes:
In 1945, a farmer discovered a jar near Nag Hammadi, Egypt, filled with ancient Christian texts. One of them was the Gospel of Thomas, written in Coptic. Earlier Greek fragments had already been found at Oxyrhynchus, indicating it was known in the 2nd century. These discoveries revolutionized our understanding of early Christian diversity.
Slide 5: What Kind of Gospel Is It?
Speaker Notes:
Unlike the Gospels we’re used to, this one has no storyline. It’s just 114 sayings attributed to Jesus. Some are familiar, others are very unusual. There’s no crucifixion, resurrection, or miracles—just teaching. And many of these sayings emphasize secret knowledge or spiritual insight.
Slide 6: Dating and Authorship
Speaker Notes:
There’s a big scholarly debate here. Some say Thomas contains very early traditions, perhaps even before the Synoptic Gospels. Others say it’s a 2nd-century Gnostic text that borrows from the Gospels. Most agree it’s written under a pseudonym - possibly to give it authority by attaching Thomas’s name to it.
Slide 7: Why the Early Church Rejected It
Speaker Notes:
The early church prioritized writings that supported the death and resurrection of Jesus, promoted unity in the church, and aligned with apostolic teaching. Thomas didn’t fit. Writers like Eusebius and Jerome dismissed it as heretical or absurd—especially because of its focus on secret knowledge and lack of resurrection.
Slide 8: Key Sayings from the Gospel of Thomas
Speaker Notes:
Here are a few examples.
Slide 9: Major Themes in Thomas
Speaker Notes:
The Gospel emphasizes a deep, inward journey—awakening to divine knowledge. The “Kingdom” isn’t a future event; it’s a present reality if we open our eyes to it. The tone is very individualistic—salvation isn’t through community or sacraments, but through inner enlightenment.
Slide 10: How Thomas Compares with the Canonical Gospels
Speaker Notes:
This chart highlights the differences.
The canonical Gospels emphasize faith, crucifixion, and resurrection. Thomas presents a very different Jesus—more like a wisdom teacher or spiritual guide. This helps us understand why the church made the choices it did when forming the canon.
Slide 11: Scholarly Views on Thomas
Speaker Notes:
Scholars are all over the map on this one.
Slide 12: Scholarly Debates
Speaker Notes:
So what is Thomas? A spiritual resource? A window into early Christian mysticism? Or just a heretical text? The answer depends on your framework. The debates about Thomas also reflect broader conversations about how we define Christianity and what we consider authentic.
Slide 13: Group Discussion Prompt
Speaker Notes:
Let’s pause here and talk.
What do these sayings suggest about how some early Christians understood Jesus, the Kingdom of God, and salvation?
How do those views compare with what we see in the New Testament?
Slide 14: Final Reflections
Speaker Notes:
Whether or not we accept Thomas as inspired, it’s clear that early Christianity was diverse. The Gospel of Thomas challenges us to think more deeply about what Jesus taught, what the Kingdom is, and how the church preserved and shaped that message. Studying texts like this strengthens—not threatens—our understanding of the faith.
Slide 15: Thank You / Q&A
Speaker Notes:
Thank you for joining this exploration. If you have questions, thoughts, or want to keep studying texts like this, I’d love to hear from you!