Unearthing the Lost Words of Jesus: The Discovery and Text of the Gospel of Thomas (Seastone Series) [Hardcover]

John Dart (Author), Ray Riegert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1998 | Series: Seastone Series

The time is just after World War II. The place is Upper Egypt not far from the pyramids. A group of camel drivers embroiled in a deadly blood feud is secretly digging for fertilizer along the Nile River near their enemies' village when they uncover an earthenware jar. Believing it is filled either with gold or evil spirits, one of them smashes open the ancient vessel. Unwittingly, he has discovered the greatest collection of apocryphal Christian documents ever found. Among these fourth-century papyrus books is The Gospel of Thomas, an unusual manuscript purportedly dictated by Jesus to "doubting Thomas." The dramatic narrative history is combined with a special translation of this spiritually enlightening text. The image of Jesus that emerges is strikingly different from the figure portrayed in the New Testament. Thomas describes Jesus in pure, simple terms - unadulterated by 2000 years of myth and interpretation - a wise man with a Zen-like view of the world.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In 1945, a group of camel drivers from the al-Samman clan unearthed an ancient earthenware jar while digging for much-needed fertilizer. Unwittingly, the drivers had discovered the greatest collection of early Christian documents ever found, the Nag Hammadi library. Among the ancient papyri was the Gospel of Thomas, a collection of over 100 sayings of Jesus purportedly gathered by Jesus' disciple Thomas (the doubting one). Dart, a religion writer for the Los Angeles Times, and Riegert (The Lost Gospel Q), narrate this story of discovery and offer an annotated translation of the Gospel of Thomas. Each saying is explained in terms of its historical and spiritual importance. For example, Jesus' tendency simultaneously to reveal and conceal his message and his identity is reflected, the contend, in the saying, "Recognize what is in front of your face and what is concealed will be revealed to you. For there is nothing that will not be disclosed." In this book, Thomas seems to present Jesus as a sage, the personification of wisdom, cast in the tradition of Solomon or Buddha, a humble man with a powerful message.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 220 pages
• Publisher: Ulysses Press (July 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569750955
• ISBN-13: 978-1569750957
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,559,312 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

104 of 125 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The complete unearthing story!, November 18, 1998

By 

Paul Miller "___[_]D___" (Memphis) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Unearthing the Lost Words of Jesus: The Discovery and Text of the Gospel of Thomas (Seastone Series) (Hardcover)

". It contains a very complete story of the finding of GThomas and follows the ms to initial publication. There are photographs and a couple of maps in this first section. The text is done very much in the same style as Borgs recent "The Lost Gospel Q" and it features a few notes by J. D. Crossan. Also by Crossan, a five page commentary at the end called "Paradise Regained", where his emphasis is on the protology of and asceticism in GThomas. This is packaged for the general public but is worth the price for the 8 photographs, 2 small maps, and the complete "unearthing" story.

18 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For gnostics only..., May 26, 2000

By 

Dragos Dobrescu (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Unearthing the Lost Words of Jesus: The Discovery and Text of the Gospel of Thomas (Seastone Series) (Hardcover)

I have not finished to read this book but so far I love it. The best part is the chapter with the recorded word of Jesus, which I find enlightning. It also makes me sad to realize that humankind has not evolved since then.

One last thing, if you are a religious ( ) (I believe 1000% in the bible...) do not buy with this book, you wiil not understand it.