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The Hidden Gospel of Thomas: Commentaries on the Non-Dual Sayings of Jesus
AWARDS 2021 IAN Book of the Year Awards, Finalist, First Non-Fiction2021 IAN Book of the Year Awards, Finalist, Religion/Christian Some scholars have called the Gospel of Thomas "the fifth gospel," joining the four canonical books of the New Testament—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Some have even suggested that a new and fresh perspective on the teachings of Jesus can be observed in its extraordinary aphorisms, dialogues, and parables.This ancient collection of Jesus sayings, half of which were previously unknown, opens up a whole new area of research for Biblical scholars. And yet, the Gospel of Thomas was rejected by the early Christian Church, banished to oblivion, and eventually lost to memory. Nevertheless, despite this opposition, it survived its many years of utter exclusion. Since its remarkable 1945 discovery in a buried jar in Egypt, it has been the object of intense scrutiny in classrooms, churches, and in many scholarly works.William G. Duffy's book is the first of its kind to thoroughly and systematically examine this gospel's "hidden" sayings in the light of non-dualism, the timeless worldview and philosophy of oneness. What is particularly unique about Duffy's work is the meticulous literary analysis he brings to this study. In his investigation of each saying, he has discovered phrase patterns and code words that other commentators have seemingly missed.By pointing out the non-dual nature of the text, and with a sharp eye for linguistic clues, Duffy convincingly demonstrates that significant insights, as well as great depth and power, can be discovered in this "lost" but now found Gospel of Thomas. Consequently, readers will not only find this book to be intellectually groundbreaking but also spiritually compelling.
356 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 10, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 20, 2021
One of the best commentaries on the Gospel of Thomas. Duffy provides several different translations to many of the verses, especially the ones that are more esoteric or difficult to understand. The very informative introduction and the commentaries on each verse provide both historical and spiritual contexts for the teachings in this non-canonical Gospel. Scholarly but also inspirational. I wish an index had been included, but the book does provide a list of suggested readings for those who want to delve deeper. Highly recommended for all students of Wisdom literature.
March 17, 2021
A Reflection on the Hidden Gospel of Thomas
By William G. Duffy
I had a dream last night of walking to the basketball court at the Mill Valley School. I was following Anthony, Brandon, Cale, Aaron, and Matthew, ages 16-21. We sat down in front of the goal, simply resting, and sitting in silence. Through the years they have always given me the most important gift we all need-true silence:
"Perhaps the most important thing we bring to another person is the silence in us, not the sort of silence that is filled with unspoken criticism or hard withdrawal. The sort of silence that is a place of refuge, of rest, of acceptance of someone as they are. We are all hungry for this other silence (Rachel Naomi Remen).
They entered my life over the last five years, being with me through injury, illness, and a lot of fun, never criticizing, never judging, simply being present as friends. We have never discussed "religion", they make fun of me when I wear clericals, and I have never felt judged once. Their egos have never gotten in the way of caring.
In his book, Duffy takes us through The Hidden Gospel of Thomas: Commentaries on the Non-Dual Sayings of Jesus. These were found in December 1945, a "lost gospel" buried in an earthen jar in Upper Egypt.
The central focus of this gospel is "oneness", letting go of our ego, away from our dual concept of life, into one of embracing others in non-judgmental love.
The sole function of the ego is to deny humanity's home with God. It leads to our destructiveness, selfishness, and hatred of one another. To leave the ego behind leads us to see all as our brothers and sisters.
In Thomas, all choices consistently come down to a commitment to either wholeness and spiritual freedom or separation and spiritual poverty.
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin had this in mind when he wrote these words:
"The day will come when after harnessing the ether (space), the winds, the tides, gravitation, we shall harness for God the energies of love. And on that day, for the second time in the history of the world, man will have discovered fire."
Discovering fire again simply means we will have a new beginning as we did the first time, which will cast light and warmth on a world rich in material progress, but poor in the awareness of the Kingdom. It will bring the fire of unconditional love that blesses everything and asks nothing in return. For those who identify with their egos love is a threat. We are called to live in the present moment, let go of our egos, and love one another. Deo Gratias! Thanks be to God!
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Fr. River Damien Sims,sfw, D.Min., D.S.T.
P.O. Box 642656
San Francisco, CA 94164
www.temenos.org
415-305-2124
March 29, 2021
Sometimes called the fifth gospel, the Gospel of Thomas was literally lost for millennia and then found in the middle of the 20th Century.
This Gospel, unlike the more familiar four (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) is less a series of stories and encounters than snippets, even thoughts and conversations with a man named Jesus.
These observations, pithy and abstruse, are, at least in translation, stunningly modern - at least as they are portrayed in this book.
If you want a fresh encounter with a truth that matters, a truth that is worth investing your life, this is the way.
The subtiitle sums up the approach; commentaries on the non-dual sayings of Jesus.
Non-duality - the idea that the Lord, and by extension, all of creation, is One, is the premise of this book.
This is certainly a book for our times, an exploration into an immensity of practical - yet transformative - understanding.
This book is not for everyone, but it is for every one of us who realizes that we are, in fact, now and forever One in the presence of, and image of, our common Creator.
This is the kind of book that will find you at the proper time. It found me through the Speakeasy book reviews, but however it finds you, don't let it pass by. it holds the truth beyond time. #TheHiddenGospeOfThomas
This Gospel, unlike the more familiar four (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) is less a series of stories and encounters than snippets, even thoughts and conversations with a man named Jesus.
These observations, pithy and abstruse, are, at least in translation, stunningly modern - at least as they are portrayed in this book.
If you want a fresh encounter with a truth that matters, a truth that is worth investing your life, this is the way.
The subtiitle sums up the approach; commentaries on the non-dual sayings of Jesus.
Non-duality - the idea that the Lord, and by extension, all of creation, is One, is the premise of this book.
This is certainly a book for our times, an exploration into an immensity of practical - yet transformative - understanding.
This book is not for everyone, but it is for every one of us who realizes that we are, in fact, now and forever One in the presence of, and image of, our common Creator.
This is the kind of book that will find you at the proper time. It found me through the Speakeasy book reviews, but however it finds you, don't let it pass by. it holds the truth beyond time. #TheHiddenGospeOfThomas
March 21, 2021
Duffy's life with the years of eclectic study along with the primal search for truth readied him for the highly important presentation of this book. Duffy puts an understandable Jesus into our minds. The Jesus of this gospel is interested in the treasure of spiritual truth that lies buried within the mind of every man and woman. As a great thought-leader Duffy puts the reader into the mind of the mystic when he points out the "hidden" oneness of a Non-Dual spirit that connects all minds. This Jesus was teaching about the Self-Realization that occurs when hidden inner truths become known (illumination). Awareness of oneness with everyone and the false identification with separation obviously come from an enlightened Jesus. This book brings us back to our true oneness.
February 22, 2021
I just finished this book, choosing to read one passage and commentary a day or so. I haven't really looked at Jesus and Christianity seriously since I was in High School. I have been working with the modern Non-Dual teachers for the last 20 years or so since the movement emerged. This book really affected me, Jesus as a Non-Dual teacher. His message was to point out something deep with you, a treasure, that is yearning to be known. And his very real dismissal of Judaism of the day. Duffy does a great job and shows he grocked the message. He gets it.
July 13, 2023
Good book, I found this book very deeply interesting. Bring on deeper thoughts and understanding of the new testament, but remember the truth is stranger than fiction.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews