Underground Knowledge — A discussion group discussion

I am reading the gospel of Thomas, and it's so fascinating. To be clear, I am reading them objectively and not as a believer as such. Anyone into gnosticism?

The secret history of the gnostics by Andrew Phillip Smith and The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels blew me away. Highly recommend. These two books actually changed my view point on religion in general…neither are boring or dry either.

Doubting Thomas is my favorite disciple (unless you include Mary Magdalen, who also has a great gospel).

The Gospel of Thomas The Younger by Gary T McDonald is a phenomenal novel that turns the gospel into a narrative both fascinating and engaging.

The Way of Thomas by John R Mabry also really great.

The Gospel of Thomas by Elaine Pagels is amazing.

Thomas is my favorite too.

In the Gospel of Thomas we encounter the real Jesus. For Romanised Christians this is definitely 'underground knowledge'. This is the Jesus of the pre-Biblical early community and later of the pseudo-Dionysius, Meister Eckhart, Thomas Traherne, Plotinus, Shucman's book A Course in Miracles and generally Christian mysticism.

I have a book forthcoming that is relevant, but it's too early to give details.

B. wrote: "The secret history of the gnostics by Andrew Phillip Smith and The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels blew me away. Highly recommend. These two books actually changed my view point on religion in gen..."

Ha. This is why the Church keeps quiet about such texts. Can't have people thinking for themselves. The (lower-case) gnostic view of Jesus is not at all consistent with the fairy tales of the Biblical literalists.

Can you give me the spark notes like what do you mean by this comment about the gospel of Thomas not being anything like the fairytales of literalists thanks !! 🙏

The gospel of thomas is a “read between the lines” kinda work. Jesus points to a notion that the kingdom of heaven is not a place of eternal attainment like in the sky after death, but in one’s self and that one should constantly seek it, along with the truth until found. It’s not a neatly wrapped up parable-it’s esoteric, hermetic and truly gnostic. That’s my interpretation.