Thomas at the Crossroads: Essays on the Gospel of Thomas

Description

The Gospel of Thomas is one of the most debated early Christian writings. Discovered as a Coptic translation in the Nag Hammadi Library, its date, message and relation to the canonical gospels have been the subject of much divisive argument. This book offers new perspectives on the gospel and demonstrates the various ways in which it sheds light on the ideological and social history of early Christianity.Expert scholars go to the heart of current issues in Thomasine studies, such as the role of oral and written traditions in the composition of the gospel, Thomas' relationship with the Gospel of John and with Gnostic and ascetic tendencies in early Christianity, the gospel's attitude to women followers of Jesus and to Jewish ritual practices.

Dr Risto Uro is Lecturer in New Testament, University of Helsinki.

'A mere summary cannot do justice to the riches of this book. The essays are well written, carefully argued and fully documented. The authors are to be warmly congratulated on a volume that will be a signal contribution to the study of the Gospel of Thomas for years to come.' R. McL. Wilson, Journal of Theological Studies "The 7 essays [...] cover such important and fundamental issues . . . This is a useful volume on the Gospel of Thomas with detailed footnotes and bibliography and is a worthy addition to the series Studies of the New Testament and its World."--Novum Testamentum, 2000