A new translation and analysis of the gospel that records the actual words of Jesus• Explores the gnostic significance of Jesus's teachings recorded in this gospel• Explains the true nature of the new man whose coming Jesus envisioned • Translated and interpreted by the author of the bestselling The Gospel of Mary Magdalene and The Gospel of PhilipOne of the cache of codices and manuscripts discovered in Nag Hammadi; the Gospel of Thomas; unlike the canonical gospels; does not contain a narrative recording Christ's life and prophecies. Instead it is a collection of his teachings--what he actually said. These 114 logia; or sayings; were collected by Judas Didymus Thomas; whom some claim to be Jesus's closest disciple. No sooner was this gospel uncovered from the sands of Upper Egypt than scholars and theologians began to bury it anew in a host of conflicting interpretations and polemics. While some say it is a hodgepodge from the canonical gospels; for others it is the source text from which all the gospel writers drew their material and inspiration. In this new translation of the Gospel of Thomas; Jean-Yves Leloup shows that the Jesus recorded by the "infinitely skeptical and infinitely believing" Thomas has much in common with gnostics of non-dualistic schools. Like them; Jesus preaches the coming of a new man; the genesis of the man of knowledge. In this gospel; Jesus describes a journey from limited to unlimited consciousness. The Jesus of Thomas invites us to drink deeply from the well of knowledge that lies within; not so that we may become good Christians but so we may attain the self-knowledge that will make each of us; too; a Christ.
#276724 in Books 2015-11-03Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.10 x 1.20 x 6.00l; .0 #File Name: 1594038279336 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Sharing sound; uncommon thinkingBy Julie D. BrownThis book is interesting and important for several reasons. First; it shows how sound thinking is shared among professionals. Paul Adams went looking for intellectual coherence to bring to his field of social work and ended up in the philosophy of Michael Novak. Naturally; Adams wondered about "social justice;" a common term in social work. Novak has been thinking and writing about social justice for a few decades and at a depth that overcomes the confused popular understanding of the term. This book gives us the excitement of a social scientist working out a philosophy for his field with the help of a well-trained mind.Second; the book explains social justice in a way that others could apply to their own fields. Novak walks the reader through popular misunderstandings of "social justice" and gives examples of the consequences. He then interprets social justice as a modern development of the ancient concepts of justice and virtue. The development is obvious to a person like Novak; schooled in philosophy; but not obvious to most people today. Novak's lucid and engaging explanation of this development incites the reader's mind; as it must have incited Adams'.Lastly; the book offers Adams' attempt to apply social justice to his own field. It is admittedly a first cut; but his long expertise in his own field and his educated; thoughtful persistence with philosophical concepts turns out a valuable analysis. Read this book to see how it applies to your own profession.Grattan BrownAssistant Professor of TheologyBelmont Abbey College0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good treatment of a misunderstood concept.By CraigSocial justice is not socialism. It is not redistribution of wealth. The authors of this book thoughtfully and thoroughly presents an explanation of social justice that should help those who read the book have a more balanced understanding of social justice.9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. An advancement of the common good is shared by mostBy Caleb Michael GraffFor those of us who have spent time with Dr.Novak's work; this new masterpiece comes as no surprise. What he and Adams have done is to give us a new lens through which to view Social Justice. Everyone along the political spectrum will find their preconceived notions of what Social Justice is truly challenged by this work.An advancement of the common good is shared by most; and it would be my hope that as you read this book; you think carefully about whether this new definition will move us in that direction? It is my belief that what Dr. Novak and Paul Adams have done is crafted for us a blueprint that will do just that. And they have managed to do so with clear; compelling; and inspiring prose that is utterly thought provoking.
