Customer Reviews

The Gospel of Thomas

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Hello, my name is Jim West. It isn't often that I feel moved to write a review. But the potential for this book to make a real difference in anyone's life is palpable. I can feel its value going beyond the sort of interest that dies with the next popular book. I wouldn't be at all surprised if this book finds its way into the hearts and minds of people for decades to come.

I feel that David Capps has effectively captured and presented to us perhaps the most concise compilation of practical thought for the expansion of our awareness. He has seamlessly woven common terminology with history and ancient teachings to a degree that you may not realize a transformation of consciousness is taking place as you read. David interprets the teaching of Jesus in such a way that you may feel transported to the time and place where the teachings themselves were being spoken.

Within the first part of David's book are his interpretations of these lessons of Jesus as Thomas had apparently written them. As if this weren't enough, the remaining few pages contain a set of exercises that work very well with the teachings and will not fail to raise the consciousness of anyone that only halfheartedly considers them. I find myself wondering what kind of personal change may take place if one should wholly apply this little book to their lives. A teacher of mine once put me to task. She said, "Choose a High ideal, then try to live it." Will this be your High ideal? Will this little book transform what you may already feel as truth into something worthy of being considered part your path? I feel this may be so.

Beyond EXCEPTIONAL!!!! This book was loaned to me by one who's been to the Mountain with the explanation "This author knows what he's talking about!!!!!". As a fellow seeker, having read only the first 30 pages, I can also attest beyond a shadow of a doubt that David Capps does INDEED know of what he writes!!!

I am ordering several more copies to give away to fellow seekers as this book's message is untainted with religous recipes, dogma, or spiritual political correctness, speaking directly to the heart and soul of personal transformation, leading to a wholly connected Son of God - And isn't that really THE goal? Knowing and Being who you truly are.......beyond doubt.....beyond question?

Having had a glimpse of the Mountain top view, and now in spiritual boot camp to regain that majestic plateau of Unconditional Love on a permanent basis, I heartily recommend this book to you, devoted seeker, and you, merely intellectually curious. It's a marvelous metaphysical interpretation of the Gospel of St. Thomas........not the most easily accessible of Gospels. And it's spiritually SPOT ON!!! ime.

Review Updated May 19th, 2008...

Hello :-)

I came across this book a few years ago. It really opened my eyes to spiritual growth and enlightenment. Although it's based on a Gnostic text, the teachings are universal in scope. They explain how the path to spiritual enlightenment involves resolving our mental and emotional pain. These negative limitations block our conscious experience of the Presence of God. Other terms used to describe this unique experience include Nirvana, spiritual enlightenment and experiencing the blissful states of Peace, Love and Joy.

Interestingly enough, spiritual enlightenment is deeply connected with our self-image and self-esteem. Negative self-image contributes to the negative thoughts we think, while negative self-esteem contributes to the negative feelings we experience on a regular basis. Our negative emotions greatly affect the quality of our experience of life. Fear-based people contribute to the spread of pain and suffering in the world, while love-based people contribute to the spread of compassion, acceptance, mutual respect and healing in the world. It's truly what's on the inside that counts! (1st Samuel 16:7, Proverbs 23:7 and Matthew 5:8)

By gradually replacing our negative thoughts and emotions with positive, love-based ones, we move closer and closer into experiencing true happiness in our lives, regardless our external circumstances. David's book explains Jesus' 114 sayings in The Gospel of Thomas from a unique spiritual perspective, and he provides a set of exercises that can be used to begin the inner healing process.

I hope this review has been helpful to you. Thanks for your time.

Take care.
Kevin :-)

Mr. Capps is very insightful in this version of the Gospel of Thomas. He captures exactly what each meaning is supposed to say to us. This Gospel of Truth will make you grow into the spiritual being we all are supposed to be. God bless everyone

This book is a must. The insight into how religions teach that salvation is only 'through' a church or a religion is exposed for the lie that it is. This author helps us understand that finding God can happen through our own self growth and personal relationship with Christ. Extremely well written!

[The following is extracted from Parallel Perspectives: June Greeting 2008]

We wish to thank Brother Kevin E. for sending us a copy of The Gospel of Thomas: A Blueprint for Spiritual Growth with commentary by David F. Capps. This Gnosis-expanding text is as engrossing as it is compassionate. We agree with others who see in David Capps a true spiritual teacher. His teachings are based on faith belief in Jesus Christ, so many people who might benefit by examining the material won't due to ideological prejudice. Be that as it may, we overcame ours long enough to read the text & found that it addresses many of the personal & psychological difficulties every one experiences in life.

The text attributed to Jesus represents the highest level of Gnostic faith & belief. This Gospel is beautiful & illuminating in its truthful simplicity.

A wonder-fully cogent spiritual document.

We will not be reviewing the book further because it is complete in itself. Individual points of view are not as germane as how each individual experiences the material for themselves. It's one of those events in which you receive in return for what you give.

Readers don't necessarily need to believe in Jesus to appreciate the insights this book bestows.

A Course in Miracles
The Book of Life: Daily Meditations with Krishnamurti
The Spiritual Teachings of Ralph Waldo Emerson

The author had a mystical experience which he developed, apparently on his own. The wisdom of the Zen saying, "When enlightened, visit the Zen master" is borne out by this book. Capps knows nothing about the Gospel of Thomas and little about Christianity. He refers to the "Nag Hammadi Scrolls" (they are codices, i.e. books, not scrolls) and "the difficulty in reading the cuneiform text" (cuneiform was used on clay tablets by Babylonians; the Nag Hammadi codices were written in Coptic).

His commentary on the sayings of Thomas are based on a mix of New Age ideas of ego, spirit, body, and tiny dabs of Zen. His program is to "dismantle the ego by resolving the inner issues and traumas and unifying the inner self." No role for God, Christ, teacher or community is described in this process. His program of spiritual exercises at the end of the book gives some basic practices to attempt to carry out this program. These are largely psychological in nature, attempting to resolve trauma and convert frozen emotional energy into love, with a bit of dispassionate observation and self-forgiveness thrown in.

Through tradition, we can "stand on the shoulders of giants." Spiritual training has always included humility as a key component. Sadly, our American perspectives of individualism and arrogance invite anyone who has had a little taste of ecstacy to set themselves up as a guru and try to teach others. Fortunately, at least this book is sufficiently vague in its theology and practices that it is likely to do little harm.