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The '''Gospel of Thomas''' is a unique apocryphal work that contains 114 verses of brief sayings attributed to [[Jesus]], most of which begin with the words "Jesus said".  There are some parallels to the [[New Testament]] [[Gospels]], some areas that are contrary, and some areas of completely new creation.  It is a "gospel" of sayings that is different in format from the gospels in the proper New Testament, which tell narratives of the life of Jesus.   

The '''Gospel of Thomas''' is a unique apocryphal work that contains 114 verses of brief sayings attributed to [[Jesus]], most of which begin with the words "Jesus said".  There are some parallels to the [[New Testament]] [[Gospels]], some areas that are contrary, and some areas of completely new creation.  It is a "gospel" of sayings that is different in format from the gospels in the proper New Testament, which tell narratives of the life of Jesus.   

Viewed by many as a [[gnostic]] or proto-gnostic work, the Gospel of Thomas contains some quotes which deviate dramatically from mainstream Christianity, including many [[misogynistic]] sayings, a verse which seems to promote [[polytheism]], and a strange recurring teaching that women "must become men" in order to merit [[salvation]]. Likewise, the work was rejected by [[Cyril of Jerusalem]], an early [[theologian]] and [[Doctor of the Church]]. [[Hippolytus]] and [[Origen]] likewise make mention of a "gospel of Thomas" as not having biblical authority.

Viewed by many as a [[gnostic]] or proto-gnostic work, the Gospel of Thomas contains some quotes which deviate dramatically from mainstream Christianity, including many [[misogynist]] sayings, a verse which seems to promote [[polytheism]], and a strange recurring teaching that women "must become men" in order to merit [[salvation]]. Likewise, the work was rejected by [[Cyril of Jerusalem]], an early [[theologian]] and [[Doctor of the Church]]. [[Hippolytus]] and [[Origen]] likewise make mention of a "gospel of Thomas" as not having biblical authority.

For many centuries, no surviving text was known. A complete [[Coptic]] text of the Gospel of Thomas was among those discovered in 1945 at [[Nag Hammadi]] in [[Egypt]].  Dated to sometime in the mid 4th Century, earlier fragments have been found that date to the end of the 2nd Century; its actual time of origin is unknown. It is not recognized as an authoritative text by any [[Christian]] denomination, but fascinates Biblical scholars who try to piece together its role in the workings of early Christianity.

For many centuries, no surviving text was known. A complete [[Coptic]] text of the Gospel of Thomas was among those discovered in 1945 at [[Nag Hammadi]] in [[Egypt]].  Dated to sometime in the mid 4th Century, earlier fragments have been found that date to the end of the 2nd Century; its actual time of origin is unknown. It is not recognized as an authoritative text by any [[Christian]] denomination, but fascinates Biblical scholars who try to piece together its role in the workings of early Christianity.