The Gospel of Thomas: New Perspectives on Jesus' Message

by Elaine Pagels

Millions of readers have turned to Elaine Pagels for her clear and insightful books about the Gnostic Gospels, the teachings of Jesus that have been lost for centuries. Sounds True is proud to present the first widely available audio recording of this extraordinary scholar as she explores the text that has changed the way many of us think about the message of Christ: The Gospel of Thomas. The stunning archaeological discovery of these lost scriptures of early Christianity in 1945 has revealed exciting new dimensions to the wisdom passed on from Jesus to his disciples. In her analysis of this revived gospel, Dr. Pagels reveals that Thomas was not a doubter of Christ rather, his thoughtful inquiries reflected and brought out the deepest truths that Jesus had to offer. Thomas' account depicts a Jesus who taught us that the Kingdom of Heaven is not a separate realm, but a state of divinity that we all can reach. He is even called the twin of Jesus a metaphor for the possibility that all of us can achieve the same state of divine grace embodied by Jesus. Elaine Pagels has riveted readers and audiences everywhere with her clear and provocative explorations of the testaments of early Christianity. The Gospel of Thomas gives listeners a first opportunity to join her in charting a wider horizon of Christian spirituality.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, History, Theology, Christianity, Christian, Gnosticism

Audio CD

Published January 1, 2006

About the author

Elaine Pagels is a preeminent figure in the theological community whose scholarship has earned her international respect. The Harrington Spear Paine Professor of Religion at Princeton University, she was awarded the Rockefeller, Guggenheim & MacArthur Fellowships in three consecutive years.
As a young researcher at Barnard College, she changed forever the historical landscape of the Christian religion by exploding the myth of the early Christian Church as a unified movement. Her findings were published in the bestselling book, The Gnostic Gospels, an analysis of 52 early Christian manuscripts that were unearthed in Egypt. Known collectively as the Nag Hammadi Library, the manuscripts show the pluralistic nature of the early church & the role of women in the developing movement. As the early church moved toward becoming an orthodox body with a canon, rites & clergy, the Nag Hammadi manuscripts were suppressed & deemed heretical. The Gnostic Gospels won both the Nat'l Book Critic’s Circle Award & the Nat'l Book Award & was chosen by the Modern Library as one of the 100 best books of the 20th Century.

Reviews

[B.]

Professor Pagels is a fascinating woman...her work is incredibly well researched and very readable. This book, or lecture, is a bit more stream of consciousness than many of her other works, but I enjoyed it because it allowed for her to just speak without worrying about punctuation, etiquette, etc....this is Elaine speaking as Elaine. With this book we get a more personal touch than one that is purely academic.

I recommend listening to this one on Audio.

[David]

Nice for what it is, which is a couple talks, plus Q&A. If you’re interested in a really quick intro to what Pagels is up to, this is good.

[MG]

In this short essay, Pagels argues that the Gospel of Thomas was a collection of Jesus’ sayings, including many early sayings and stories that are included in the canonical Bibles. But many of these sayings have a more inclusive teaching, focusing on following Jesus’ wisdom versus believing in his status as God. She points out the writer of John’s Gospel is the only one that mentions Thomas in stories (versus merely in a list of disciples) and consistently casts him in a negative light (“doubting Thomas”). She thinks this was John’s attempt to push his view of Christ ( as a pre-existing divine being) over Thomas’s views. As usual, her reflections are fascinating. What I love about Pagels’s work is that she is still obviously captivated by this material.

[Steve Shelby]

A recording of a talk by Elaine Pagels about the Gospel of Thomas, and Q & A with the audience. The audience audio quality is often poor. Answers are often an acknowledgment that it is an interesting/important question and then a fairly weak stab at an answer. This does convey something that I didn’t get out of Ehrman’s books, that this gospel is about mysticism and probably related more to the gospel of John than anything else. These woo woo notions are out there.

[Thomas Schulte]

An interesting presentation and Q&A on the pseudo gospel apparently disseminated as widely as Matthew in the earliest days of Christian churches. I am rather drawn to this work, being a Thomas namesake. I find interesting the contrast of John is to Thomas as belief is to knowledge. What would Christianity be like it Thomas had replaced John as one of the four gospels.

[Karen Potts]

A short volume describing how the Gospel of Thomas fit into that period of history following Jesus' death when a number of gospels were circulating. The book set the writing in its historical context & touched on tenets presented that agreed with or differed from those contained in other gospels.

[Ericka Clou]

This is an audiobook of a very interesting Elaine Pagels lecture and audience question-and-answer session that whetted my appetite to learn a lot more about The Gospel of Thomas and to read more by Elaine Pagels.

[Pam White]

This book is actually a recorded lecture on The Gospel of Thomas. It's quite good! Dr Elaine Pagals is a renowned scholar of Christian theology, so her knowledge, and discussion with the audience is enlightening listening.

[Kristie]

Really interesting academic perspective of the New Testament re: authorship and history. Provides a reinterpretation of some tenets of Christianity based on gospels found among the Dead Sea scrolls. Short but informative.

[Ed]

This is a short lecture by Pagels about the gospel and one of her upcoming books. If it was a book (it's an audio book) it would be a pamphlet with questions and brisk answers.

[Michael Brennan]

This was my favorite by Pagles so far. This was the most comprehensive and eloquent study of any of the gnostic writers.

[Will Thorpe]

So this wasn't a book but is sold as an audio book. It's actually just a two hour lecture loaded with good info.

[Mark]

wow. fantastic and refreshing. a good way to build a new perspective on Jesus and the gospels.

[Nithila P.]

In the mornings that I spend time with this book, I stayed constantly amazed - Dr. Pagels insight and ideas, and ease of writing. Such a treat.

[Ben Lively]

Amazing insights. I recommend for anyone who's interested in the context surrounding the gospels.

[Christopher]

Very interesting short lecture by Prof. Pagels.

[Russ]

This is a recorded lecture including questions from the audience. It really is too short for any useful information. I listened to the whole recording in one workout.

[Natty S]

A talk that has whetted my appetite to hear/read more from Pagels. I loved her respectful way of deal with fundamentalists.

[RA]

Elaine Pagels lecture on the Gospel of Thomas, with a Q & A following.

[Jason Baldauf]

Elaine Pagels is best known for her seminal work "The Gnostic Gospels", and is a leading expert on the subject.. This is a short introduction to the gnostic Gospel of Thomas, with analysis and Q&A. For those interested in the gospels that didn't make the cut into the King James bible.

[Alex DiDonato]

It's really a lecture and q&a afterwards. A good lecture, but don't expect an audio "book"here.

[Amak]

2.5/5

[Victoria Jade]

I really like Elaine Pagels. It was interesting to hear her speak. Shes quite funny.

[Jose]

Good overview of what to expect on Thomas

[Davina]

A delightful discussion of one of the gnostic gospels. This is my first venture in to the works of Prof Pagels, and I'm impressed. She is very fluent in the gospels, and has a very nuanced view of the modern cannons as well as the gnostics. She is careful when she points out various discontinuities within the existing cannon. This is really a public lecture with questions and answers following. I found the questioners and questions to be interesting. Certainly has me more interesting in both Thomas and John. This is a very quick book, so it can be worth your time. I'm also reminded that we've seen a lot of theological and liturgical change in the last 150 years or so. It's good to back to the early roots. I appreciate the comments on when ideas may have entered Christian thought.

[Andrea]

Elaine Pagels is an amazing scholar and author. She's an MacArthur Fellow and it's clear by her comments on the Gospel of Thomas and it's place in ancient christian texts that she has an amazing grasp on history and linguistics. I'd recommend this book to anyone who is interested in objectively learning more about the early christian texts and their implications.

[Kristine]

Informative lecture and Q & A.

Pagels has been at the forefront of Gospel of Thomas research and Gnostic research. While I am not currently researching the Gospel of Thomas, I still admire the drive and passion she has for it as well as other documents/codices found at the Nag Hammadi sight.

Pagels passion and knowledge allow her to explain this ancient codex with ease and grace.

[Kat Robey]

Fascinating discussion-my first steps into the history of Christianity, the Gnostic Gospels, and the politics that molded Christianity by editing those texts out. Knowing self to know the great I Am--and we are all from the light...powerful messages.

[Susan]

It was ok; couldn't understand what her position was on the readings of st thomas.

[Mary]

4/11/13. Good overview.