Why the Gospel of Thomas Was Excluded from the Canonical Bible- Unveiling the Controversial Reasons
Why was the Gospel of Thomas removed from the Bible? This question has intrigued scholars and theologians for centuries. The Gospel of Thomas, a collection of sayings attributed to Jesus, was discovered in 1945 in the Egyptian town of Nag Hammadi. Despite its significance and early Christian origins, it was excluded from the canonical New Testament. This article aims to explore the reasons behind this exclusion and shed light on the historical and theological context surrounding the Gospel of Thomas.
The Gospel of Thomas is a significant text in the field of New Testament studies due to its unique content and early dating. It consists of 114 sayings attributed to Jesus, arranged in no particular order. The text differs from the canonical Gospels in that it does not recount Jesus’ life, miracles, or resurrection. Instead, it focuses on Jesus’ teachings and parables, providing a different perspective on his ministry.
One of the primary reasons why the Gospel of Thomas was removed from the Bible is its lack of narrative structure. The canonical Gospels, such as Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, follow a chronological narrative that begins with the birth of Jesus, continues through his ministry, death, and resurrection. In contrast, the Gospel of Thomas presents a collection of sayings without a clear chronological order. This difference in structure may have contributed to its exclusion from the New Testament.
Another factor that influenced the removal of the Gospel of Thomas from the Bible is its content. The text contains sayings that are not found in the canonical Gospels and some that contradict them. For example, Thomas 101 states, “Simon Peter said to them, ‘Let us make a man, as Lamech did. For he had a hundred sons and daughters.’ They said to him, ‘Are you making a man like one of us? What is the man for?’ Jesus said, ‘Let it be so now, for thus it has been since the beginning of creation.'” This saying, which seems to promote polygamy, is at odds with the monogamous marriage practices of the time and the teachings of the canonical Gospels.
Moreover, the Gospel of Thomas lacks the theological framework found in the canonical Gospels. The canonical Gospels emphasize the divinity of Jesus, his role as the Son of God, and his mission to save humanity. In contrast, the Gospel of Thomas focuses on Jesus as a teacher and does not explicitly state his divinity. This difference in theological emphasis may have led to its exclusion from the Bible.
The historical context surrounding the Gospel of Thomas also plays a role in its removal from the Bible. The canonical Gospels were written by authors who were close to the events they describe, such as the apostles or their disciples. In contrast, the Gospel of Thomas was written much later, in the second century AD. This later dating raises questions about the reliability and authenticity of the text, which may have contributed to its exclusion from the New Testament.
In conclusion, the Gospel of Thomas was removed from the Bible due to its lack of narrative structure, its content that differs from the canonical Gospels, its absence of a clear theological framework, and its later dating. Despite its significance and early Christian origins, the Gospel of Thomas remains an intriguing and controversial text that continues to challenge our understanding of Jesus and his teachings.
