The Gospel of Thomas
Airing on
Probe Radio
July
5-9 |
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Don Closson — Anyone who has visited the Wikipedia web site, the online encyclopedia with almost two million entries, knows that while the information is usually presented in a scholarly style, it can be a bit slanted at times. So when I recently read its entry for the “Gospel of Thomas,” I was not surprised to find it leaning towards the view that this letter is probably an early document, earlier than the other four Gospels of the New Testament, and an authentic
product of the apostle known as Didymus or Thomas. The two Wikipedia sources most mentioned in support of this position are Elaine Pagels, professor of religion at Princeton, and the group of scholars known as the Jesus Seminar. Both are known for their distaste for evangelical theology and traditional views on the canon in general.
What I found more interesting, though, is the background discussion on the article. Wikipedia includes a running dialogue of the debates that determine what actually gets posted into the article, as well as what gets removed, and here the discussion can be a bit more emotional. One contributor argues that no Christian should be allowed to contribute because of their bias and commitment to the canon of the New Testament. He adds that only atheists and Jews should be allowed to participate (no bias here). The discussion also reflects
the idea that as early as the beginning of the second century, the Catholic Church was conducting a massive conspiracy to keep certain texts and ideas out of the public’s hands and minds.
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| MEET THE AUTHOR |
 DON CLOSSON
"With many Christians losing their confidence in their faith and in the Bible as the Word of God, I thought it was important to examine the claims surrounding this supposed 'gospel' which might further corrode a confidence we have every right to have."
Don Closson is Director of Administration and research associate for Probe. He has a B.S. in education and an M.S. in educational administration, and the M.A. in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. Before joining Probe, Don served as a public school teacher and administrator.
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Related Articles:
 The Jesus Seminar
Probe's founder, Jimmy Williams, analyzes the Jesus Seminar findings in light of five critical areas: Purpose, Presuppositisms, Canonical Gospels, Chronology and Christological differences.
 The Gospel of Judas
Pat Zukeran says the Gospel of Judas poses no threat to the Bible or to Christianity; it only provides insight into early Gnosticism.
The Christian Canon
Don gives the reader an introduction to how the Bible came to include the books currently recognized as canonical.
Probe Answers Your Questions:
"Are the Essene Gospels Real?"
"What Can You Tell Me About the Infancy Gospel of James?"
"Was Reincarnation Ever in the Bible?"
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