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The Way of Thomas: Insights for Spiritual Living from the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas
Want spiritual transformation, but turned off by dogmatic religion? Discover the original, mystical teachings of Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas, the most important book left out of the Bible.
Are you looking for a life-giving spirituality, but feel disillusioned by organized religion? Does “the church” seem more like the problem than the solution? Are you attracted to Jesus, but not so much to the tradition built up around him?
You’re not alone—the earliest and most reliable collection of Jesus’ teachings, The Gospel of Thomas, says much the same thing. Yet it also contains the seeds of a profound mysticism that can transform our view of the universe—and ourselves.
Seminary professor Dr. John R. Mabry has been studying and teaching the lost Gospel of Thomas for 20 years and has discovered the key that unlocks the secret of Jesus’ earliest and most mystical teachings, revealing a Jesus who is more like a Zen master than a savior, and whose teachings present something very much like a native Jewish school of Buddhism.
The Way of Thomas offers a crystal clear, easy-to-understand new version of the Gospel of Thomas. Dr. Mabry, an expert in the mysticism of the world’s religions, then unpacks the core teachings of the Gospel in ways that can shift not only how we understand ourselves, but how we view reality itself. At the end of every chapter, Dr. Mabry provides step-by-step exercises for how to achieve the shifts in perception that lead to transformation and illumination.
In this book, you’ll
• there is only one thing in the universe, and you are that thing
• how to see what is right in front of you, so that what is hidden will be revealed
• what “the kingdom” means, and how you can live in it right now
• truth does not come from outside ourselves, but from within
• how to escape “the system” and to be truly free…
The Way of Thomas is packed with profound insights and practical advice for spiritual practice. If you like books that change the way you see the world and invite you into deep mindfulness, you will love The Way of Thomas.
Give yourself the gift of this book today and start walking The Way of Thomas!
This ebook is FREE when you purchase the paperback!
Are you looking for a life-giving spirituality, but feel disillusioned by organized religion? Does “the church” seem more like the problem than the solution? Are you attracted to Jesus, but not so much to the tradition built up around him?
You’re not alone—the earliest and most reliable collection of Jesus’ teachings, The Gospel of Thomas, says much the same thing. Yet it also contains the seeds of a profound mysticism that can transform our view of the universe—and ourselves.
Seminary professor Dr. John R. Mabry has been studying and teaching the lost Gospel of Thomas for 20 years and has discovered the key that unlocks the secret of Jesus’ earliest and most mystical teachings, revealing a Jesus who is more like a Zen master than a savior, and whose teachings present something very much like a native Jewish school of Buddhism.
The Way of Thomas offers a crystal clear, easy-to-understand new version of the Gospel of Thomas. Dr. Mabry, an expert in the mysticism of the world’s religions, then unpacks the core teachings of the Gospel in ways that can shift not only how we understand ourselves, but how we view reality itself. At the end of every chapter, Dr. Mabry provides step-by-step exercises for how to achieve the shifts in perception that lead to transformation and illumination.
In this book, you’ll
• there is only one thing in the universe, and you are that thing
• how to see what is right in front of you, so that what is hidden will be revealed
• what “the kingdom” means, and how you can live in it right now
• truth does not come from outside ourselves, but from within
• how to escape “the system” and to be truly free…
The Way of Thomas is packed with profound insights and practical advice for spiritual practice. If you like books that change the way you see the world and invite you into deep mindfulness, you will love The Way of Thomas.
Give yourself the gift of this book today and start walking The Way of Thomas!
This ebook is FREE when you purchase the paperback!
- GenresSpirituality
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 13, 2006
About the author
John R. Mabry
52 books49 followersI've been writing ever since the third grade, when I produced my first short story. I am a United Church of Christ pastor, and teach world religions and spiritual direction at the Chaplaincy Institute (an interfaith seminary in Berkeley, CA). I also sing for two progressive rock bands, Mind Furniture and Metaphor. My wife Lisa Fullam and I live in Oakland with our two lovely dogs Judy and Sally. I don't write heavy, academic books. I write books for regular folk like you and me who want to explore their spirituality and get closer to God. In my fiction, I want to show people of faith as they actually are—screwed up, insecure, and often bumbling—but still usually trying to do the right thing.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 9, 2018
Incredible book. What’s strange to me is that as I have been seeking for a few years now, I’m starting to find preliminary answers, but it’s only still a scratch on the surface of the truth.
This book popped into my life almost simultaneously while having a discussion with a good friend and mentor about similarity between Buddhism and some Gnosticism, particularly gospel of thomas. The author points out that the gospel unfortunately was found in fragments, but what exists can be dizzying to read because its intentionally opaque-the message is clear....seek seek seek until you are troubled-when you are troubled you will be amazed at what comes to light. Like a Zen Koan-there is no clear answer, but that’s the point-keep searching until the puzzle unfolds on its own because you didn’t try to solve it by education, but but by spiritual growth.
This will certainly be looked upon as heretical by any traditional or orthodox Christian, but again, that’s what makes it so much more plausible....Jesus in my opinion was a Bhodisatva or a Buddha....he was leading his followers to this end, but coming outright and saying that would have blown their minds to pieces...he gave them a way to discover that on their own terms.
This book popped into my life almost simultaneously while having a discussion with a good friend and mentor about similarity between Buddhism and some Gnosticism, particularly gospel of thomas. The author points out that the gospel unfortunately was found in fragments, but what exists can be dizzying to read because its intentionally opaque-the message is clear....seek seek seek until you are troubled-when you are troubled you will be amazed at what comes to light. Like a Zen Koan-there is no clear answer, but that’s the point-keep searching until the puzzle unfolds on its own because you didn’t try to solve it by education, but but by spiritual growth.
This will certainly be looked upon as heretical by any traditional or orthodox Christian, but again, that’s what makes it so much more plausible....Jesus in my opinion was a Bhodisatva or a Buddha....he was leading his followers to this end, but coming outright and saying that would have blown their minds to pieces...he gave them a way to discover that on their own terms.
October 6, 2017
The way towards a spiritual life
This is a book that those who do not need religion to feel connected to the Divinity will deeply enjoy. I for one found the author’s point of view on spiritual life very similar to mine: there is no need for a religious authority to feel religious. After all, didn’t Jesus fight against the laws and precepts of Judaism so that we could all discover our own transcendence?
This is a book that those who do not need religion to feel connected to the Divinity will deeply enjoy. I for one found the author’s point of view on spiritual life very similar to mine: there is no need for a religious authority to feel religious. After all, didn’t Jesus fight against the laws and precepts of Judaism so that we could all discover our own transcendence?
January 24, 2021
Meh.
If the Gospel of Thomas is divinely inspired, then the Holy Spirit needs a copy editor. This book is useful as a reference as it contains the text of the non-canonical Gospel of Thomas. But Catholics will look at the scripture study and find much fault. Moreover, the author seems intent on viewing this through the lens of Buddhism And drawing parallelisms there. I found the historical context useful, but looking through the lens of Buddhism and Anglicanism less so. But, full disclosure, I’m a recalcitrant Catholic that had way too much Jesuit education
If the Gospel of Thomas is divinely inspired, then the Holy Spirit needs a copy editor. This book is useful as a reference as it contains the text of the non-canonical Gospel of Thomas. But Catholics will look at the scripture study and find much fault. Moreover, the author seems intent on viewing this through the lens of Buddhism And drawing parallelisms there. I found the historical context useful, but looking through the lens of Buddhism and Anglicanism less so. But, full disclosure, I’m a recalcitrant Catholic that had way too much Jesuit education
August 18, 2021
A Buddhist conglomeration with Christianity
As an instructor of Christianity, I looked forward to augmenting my Biblical knowledge. Having read this book, I can honestly say that I have gained little. I learned more about Gnosticism and Buddhism but could not marry these world views with Biblical Christianity. The author relies on conjecture and misinterpretation to paint a worldly view of Jesus; very unlike the resurrected Messiah of Scripture. Fodder for sceptics and pagans but not worth the read for seekers of Truth.
As an instructor of Christianity, I looked forward to augmenting my Biblical knowledge. Having read this book, I can honestly say that I have gained little. I learned more about Gnosticism and Buddhism but could not marry these world views with Biblical Christianity. The author relies on conjecture and misinterpretation to paint a worldly view of Jesus; very unlike the resurrected Messiah of Scripture. Fodder for sceptics and pagans but not worth the read for seekers of Truth.
November 2, 2021
Very interesting book. A kind of bridge between the teachings of Jesus according to Thomas and consciousness as we now know it. The similarities are very unifying.
April 11, 2024
Ambiguity
There's a lot to think about here. I like how the teachings of Buddha, Lao Tzu, and others are tied in.
There's a lot to think about here. I like how the teachings of Buddha, Lao Tzu, and others are tied in.
July 4, 2025
Very useful book, but require a reread or two to grasp in its entirety.
February 23, 2022
Fascinating book and gospel. The author shares his own interesting faith journey, and challenged me on my faith journey. For me some of the views are radical and complex to understand. But as he simply states, “Jesus is a mystery ... we can celebrate the mystery ... new and old and celebrate the mystery that surrounds him.” He goes onto say, “The Gospel of Thomas simply holds out wisdom for anyone who will accept it.”
November 18, 2019
See highlights for sample tidbits from the book with interesting trivia, phrasing, metaphors, ideas, and facts !! Very interesting !!!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews