oa The Gospel of Thomas: Evidence for Jesus?

*A slightly shortened version of a lecture given on 28 February 1997 in the University of Leiden to the Theological ‘Dispuut’ Tandem Fit Surculus Arbor R.E.P. I am grateful for the questions and comments following the lecture, especially from my respondent, Prof. M. de Jonge.

Traditionally, the primary evidence for Jesus has been assumed to be the NT gospels, especially the synoptics. Recent studies have questioned this, arguing that non-canonical gospels may be just as important in Jesus research. In this debate, the Gospel of Thomas (GTh) has played a key role with some arguing that it is independent of the synoptics and could radically alter our views about Jesus. It is however argued here that GTh is probably dependent on the synoptics; moreover, its evidence probably does not change the more traditional picture of Jesus as a figure heavily influenced by Jewish eschatology. GTh should be seen rather as a later product of heterodox Christianity.