S3 E26: Keith Giles: Decoding the Gospel of Thomas

Liminal Living

Insights

• The Gospel of Thomas is a collection of the sayings of Jesus and does not have a narrative like the other Gospels.
• The Gospel of Thomas was suppressed by early church leaders, particularly those who opposed the Valentinians.
• The Gospel of Thomas was found in 1945 in a clay jar buried in the desert.
• Scholars have dated the Gospel of Thomas to the early second century and believe it may have served as a Q document.
• The teachings in the Gospel of Thomas emphasize the oneness and connection with God and challenge hierarchical structures in the early church. The early Christian church adopted hierarchical, patriarchal, and uniform beliefs and practices after the Roman Empire adopted Christianity as its national religion.
• The Gospel of Thomas offers wisdom for steering the church towards a more egalitarian and community-based structure.
• Realizing our connection with God and one another is essential for loving and caring for others.
• The early church practiced secret teachings, and the shift towards hierarchical structures was a departure from the teachings of Jesus and Paul.

Chapters

Introduction and Keith Giles' Podcasts

Discovering the Gospel of Thomas

Dating the Gospel of Thomas and its Relationship to the Q Document

The Discovery of the Gospel of Thomas

Keith Giles' Interest in the Gospel of Thomas

Hierarchy, Patriarchy, and Uniformity in the Early Christian Church

The Gospel of Thomas: Wisdom for a More Egalitarian Church

Realizing Our Connection: The Key to Loving and Caring for Others

The Shift from Secret Teachings to Hierarchical Structures

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All Music for this episode composed by Axeltree