The Way of Thomas: Insights for Spiritual Living from the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas

Written by John R. Mabry

Narrated by Kevin Theis

What were Jesus’ original teachings, and how do they differ from the story told by the Christian church? What is the real story of early Christianity? Can we find a Jesus that is relevant as a spiritual guide for people today?

These and many other questions are addressed in this popular presentation of the teachings of this mystical Christian text. With the discovery of the Gospel of Thomas in 1945, scholars now believe we have a document closer to Jesus’ actual words than we have ever possessed before. 

"Open yourself to the wisdom of Jesus in Thomas and allow these sayings to seep into your soul." —John Beverly Butcher, author of The Tao of Jesus

"Read The Way of Thomas. Compelling and well-written, this book will broaden the Jesus debate of our century." —John Shelby Spong, author of The Sins of Scripture

• Language: English
• Publisher: Apocryphile Press
• Release date: Sep 10, 2019
• ISBN: 9781094200675

Reviews for The Way of Thomas

[Jwee Chiek Er · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This book presented the author's views on the gnostic gospel of Thomas and made comparisons with the Bible and other Eastern religions and philosophies.

A challenging listen (contents wise) and I strongly feel the gnostic teachings and the author's interpretations have diminished Jesus's unique Son of God position. There is a grave lack of reverence, humility and self centred tone to the entire book on its prescribed alternative way to salvation that requires no repentance of sin. Also a dangerously navie attitude that the world is not a big bad evil place but only peaceful one if we see ourselves as one with others and the universe. One one has to live in Chicago or Pensylvania to know otherwise. Why? Also glaring contradictions by the author on whether it was the innocent infant that gets to heaven or the mature person who attained enlightenment through his own efforts. I recommend all Christian readers or listeners to know the the precious words of God as wiitten in the Holy Bible thoroughly before embarking on the contentous this interpretative book about the gnostic gospel so that you can read or listen to it critically.

Alarming red flags when the author tells us to burn the Old Testament containing the 10 commandments and that we can choose to be gods when we become aware that we are one with the universe

I don't believe Thomas was Christ's twin brother. He fled the scene like a coward when Jesus was captured in the Garden of Gethsemane, like all the other corwardly disciples. The name of Thomas was not amongst the siblings of Jesus when mentioned in the Gospel.

Quite offensive was the mention of Buddha, Hinduism and other eastern religions on par with Jesus.

But I do absolutely agree with the author that only by knowing Jesus teachings, and his life and deeds (glaringly absent from the Thomas' gospel) I might add, can we truly then know and assimilate who Jesus was as a teacher and as the Son of God.

This author champions the sayings of Jesus in Thomas' gospel over the canonical Gospels which egregiousiy negligected the more precious teachings of Christ especially on themes of sin, repentance, compassion and generosity.

The author told us that his earlier church experiences had harmed him so much that he deserted them and went into gnostic spirituality to fill his void created by his desertion from Church.

For a mature and an enlightened person, it should be obvious that God or Jesus cannot be held responsible if a person had bad experiences in the church. Earthly churches have been frequently run by imperfect humans who often deviate and disobeyed the holy and immpeccable teachings of the Bible and Christ.

The path of salvation presented by the author cannot be correct because it is gravely irreverent to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

According to the book, earth and man were not created by the true Almighty God, but by a less powerful one. Red flag.

I'm glad the author did tell the readers to choose the truths for ourselves. But we know that human mind is constrained greatly by human inadequacy. We need the Holy Spirit to guide us if God so chooses. So for me, I choose to pray for the illumination of the Holy Spirit, the third entity of the Trinity not mentioned at all by the author, if I had listened to this audio book correctly.

In the end, I disagree with the book on one most important point. Our almighty God is sovereign and His choice is the one that counts and it is final and unchangeable.