Q Thomas Reader

by John S. Kloppenborg, Michael G. Steinhauser, Marvin W. Meyer

The best and most readable one-volume introduction available to the Sayings Gospel Q and the Gospel of Thomas-the very earliest collections of the sayings and parables of Jesus. The Q-Thomas Reader includes new translations, lucid commentary by leading scholars, suggested readings and a comprehensive glossary. This is essential reading for anyone wanting to learn more about "the gospels before the gospels."

Genres: History

180 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1990

About the author

John S. Kloppenborg is university professor and chair of the Department for the Study of Religion at the University of Toronto. A specialist in Christian origins, he has written extensively on the Synoptic Sayings Gospel (Q) and the parables of Jesus.

Reviews

[Fred Grogan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Q gospel, an original collection of the Wisdom of Jesus has left its residue in the Canonical works. The theory is that the 4 gospels have numerous passages of Jesus' words that read very closely, this is believed by some to be evidence of a previous book of wisdom the synoptic gospels drew upon.
Although we could reasonably expect the same events to be described, and the same dialogue to be present in each version as a function of the commonality of the story.
This separate gospel of Thomas, one of Jesus' disciples tells previously untold stories of his childhood and family life. Jesus as a precocious child. Interesting take on his sayings, much like stoic philosophy.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, if slightly dated introduction to Q and Thomas and the concept of the sayings gospels. This book also provides good translations of both books. Written in 1990 it cannot include the more recent insights into the so-called Gnostic tradition, including recent scholarship that seriously challenges the the use of the term "gnostic" to describe much of the early Christian literature (like Thomas) that didn't make it into the orthodox canon.