The Fifth Gospel: The Gospel of Thomas Comes of Age

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In December 1945, at the base of cliffs that run along the Nile River near the modern-day town of Nag Hammadi, an Egyptian farmer discovered, in a sealed jar, thirteen ancient Coptic codices containing more than fifty separate tracts. This discovery represented arguably the most significant manuscript discovery of the twentieth century for the study of the New Testament and Christian origins. Of all the texts in this Nag Hammadi Library, none has been more celebrated than the Gospel of Thomas--a Gospel that has played a crucial role in the newly emerging view of early Christianity as a very diverse phenomenon and in the recent revival of historical Jesus studies. Now, after more than fifty years of study, the best text and the best translation of Thomas are presented here in user-friendly form by the Berlin Working Group for Coptic Gnostic Writings, with Stephen J. Patterson and James M. Robinson. In addition, two essays have been included for persons who may be unfamiliar with this new Gospel or with events that led to its discovery and publication. The first, by Patterson, is a general introduction to the Gospel of Thomas as it appears fifty years after its discovery. The second, by Robinson, tells the fascinating story of that discovery itself by one who was directly involved in bringing this new Gospel to light. An annotated list "for further reading" completes the volume. Stephen J. Patterson is Associate Professor of New Testament at Eden Theological Seminary and author of The God of Jesus: The Historical Jesus and the Search for Meaning (Trinity Press). James M. Robinson is the former director of the Institute for Antiquity and Christianity, Professor Emeritus at The Claremont Graduate School, and editor of The Nag Hammadi Library.

Reviews

"The translation will likely become the standard for citation in the future."--Edgar Krentz, Currents -- Edgar Krentz * Blurb from reviewer *
"As an introduction to the Gospel of Thomas, The Fifth Gospel is ideal. It is the perfect book for anyone wishing to know more about its content and discovery, while also introducing the reader to the most prevelant issues regarding the relation of the Gospel of Thomas to the New Testament and the historical Jesus."--Dr. J. Liebenberg, (UNISA) Theological Studies June 2002 -- Dr. J. Liebenberg * Blurb from reviewer *
"This is an excellent new presentation of the Gospel of Thomas for a general audience, and it will be a very useful textbook."--Fred W. Burnett, Anderson University, reviewing for Religious Studies Review, July 1999 -- Fred W. Burnett * Religious Studies Review *
"I hardly thought there was need for a new translation of the Gospel of Thomas until I read this one...this translation...advances the grace and ease of translation more than any previous one...This translation also distinguishes itself by clarifying some of the more obscure and difficult readings of the Gospel of Thomas. Although scholars may disagree with the reading, the general reading public will find them more accessible...In all this is an excellent translation."--Richard Valantasis, Iliff School of Theology, as printed in Review of Biblical Literature, October 1999 -- Richard Valantasis * Review of Biblical Literature *

Author Bio

Stephen J. Patterson is Associate Professor of New Testament at Eden Theological Seminary and author of The God of Jesus: The Historical Jesus and the Search for Meaning (Trinity Press). Hans-Gebhard Bethge is Professor of New Testament at the Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany. James M. Robinson is editor of The Nag Hammadi Library.