a)
Reading the Gospel of Thomas offers a perspective that is
part new and familiar. Although Thomas is considered to be
dated among the early Christian writings, it is only
recently that awareness of this gospel has become more
widespread. Its 'find' in 1945, near Nag Hammadi in Upper
Egypt, and subsequent translation continues to prompt
excitement, debate and offer many provocative questions.
The
text is comparatively short, and composed somewhat
differently than we have come to expect from an early
Christian gospel.
Focus:
1)
Thomas comprises 114 verses. After reading it, select a few
that you would like for us to discuss in class. (Note why
you chose these).
2)
Pagels essay on Thomas and John covers a lot of ground. I
selected three sections that will help us to first focus on
parts of this gospel, and then to compare a few points of
Thomas with John. (See below.)
3)
We will be working on group presentations in class too.
Please bring your project sheets with all your focus
interest notes to class.
