The Gospel of Thomas (New Testament Readings) [Paperback]

Richard Valantasis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415116228 | ISBN-13: 978-0415116220 | Publication Date: June 29, 1997 | Edition: 1

This volume offers the first full commentary on the Gospel of Thomas, a work which has previously been accessible only to theologians and scholars. Valantasis provides fresh translations of the Coptic and Greek text, with an illuminating commentary, examining the text line by line. He includes a general introduction outlining the debates of previous scholars and situating the Gospel in its historical and theological contexts.
The Gospel of Thomas provides an insight into a previously inaccessible text and presents Thomas' gospel as an integral part of the canon of Biblical writings, which can inform us further about the literature of the Judeo-Christian tradition and early Christianity.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'This is a brilliant book. The author's observations as to what the text is saying will sometimes come as an eye-opening surprise especially to those already familiar with - Thomas.'

'Valantasis has written the best commentary on the - Gospel of Thomas that has ever been written and it is hard to imagine that a better internally referential one could be written.'

'Can be strongly recommended to any reader interested in the development of early Chrstianity.' - Network

'It is pleasant when one picks up a book on an early Christian document and soon afterwards can say: This is the book I have been waiting for to recommend to my students. Such is my reaction to this book ... The syle in which Valantasis writes is clear and concise ... a good and useful work that deserves praise ...' - Thomas O'Loughlin, Heythrop Journal

About the Author

Richard Valantasis is Associate Professor of Early Christian Literature at St. Louis University. His recent publications include Constructions of Power in Asceticism (Journal of the American Academy of Religion). Ordained as an Episcopal priest, he has served parishes and a woman's monastery. He conducts adult education and other retreats for the laity.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (June 29, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415116228
• ISBN-13: 978-0415116220
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,446,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fresh Air, May 5, 2000

By 

Nathanael R. Berneking - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gospel of Thomas (New Testament Readings) (Paperback)

I thought that I would write a true review of this book for readers interested The Gospel of Thomas from a more academic or scholarly perspective. Never does Dr. Valantasis suggest adding the book to the current canon. Rather, he conducts a very thorough and thought provoking exegesis of the text. In addition, he provides an excellent historical basis. Now, the book is subject to criticism from other schools of thought, but I don't think Dr. Valantasis would deny this. He provides an excellent historical de-mythologization of the text. For the curious reader, or the serious scholar, this is an excellent addition to the literature on the Gospel of Thomas.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful and accessible study, May 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Gospel of Thomas (New Testament Readings) (Hardcover)

This book is an excellent book for teachers and scholars as well as for a more general audience. It is a thoughtful and accessible study of this ancient text and can be helpful both inside and outside the classroom. It is also available in a reasonably priced paperback edition.

54 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enlightenment, May 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Gospel of Thomas (New Testament Readings) (Paperback)

The addition of this book to the Bible would make this world a better place. We Christians would be more like Bhuddists.