New Testament History and Literature with Dale B. Martin
Season 1, Episode 8: The Gospel of Thomas
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We have known of the existence of the Gospel of Thomas from ancient writers, but it was only after the discovery of the Nag Hammadi Codices that the actual text became available. The Gospel of Thomas is basically a collection of sayings, or logia, that sometimes seem similar, perhaps more primitive than sayings found in the canonical Gospels. Sometimes, however, the sayings seem better explained as reflecting a "Gnostic" understanding of the world. This involves a rejection of the material world and a desire for gnosis, a secret knowledge, in order to escape the world and return to the divine being.
All Episodes - Season 1
Episode 1
Introduction: Why Study the New Testament?
Episode 2
From Stories to Canon
Episode 3
The Greco-Roman World
Episode 4
Judaism in the First Century
Episode 5
The New Testament as History
Episode 6
The Gospel of Mark
Episode 7
The Gospel of Matthew
Episode 8
The Gospel of Thomas
Episode 9
The Gospel of Luke
Episode 10
The Acts of the Apostles
Episode 11
Johannine Christianity: The Gospel 92,407 views
Episode 12
Johannine Christianity: The Letters
Episode 13
The Historical Jesus
Episode 14
Paul as Missionary
Episode 15
Paul as Pastor
Episode 16
Paul as Jewish Theologian
Episode 17
Paul's Disciples
Episode 18
Arguing with Paul?
Episode 19
The "Household" Paul: The Pastorals
Episode 20
The "Anti-household" Paul: Thecla
Episode 21
Interpreting Scripture: Hebrews
Episode 22
Interpreting Scripture: Medieval Interpretations
Episode 23
Apocalyptic and Resistance
Episode 24
Apocalyptic and Accommodation
Episode 25
Ecclesiastical Institutions: Unity, Martyrs, and Bishops
Episode 26
The "Afterlife" of the New Testament and Postmodern Interpretation