Ancient text excluded from the Bible

The Gospel of Thomas, an ancient text containing 114 sayings attributed to Jesus, has sparked debate due to its exclusion from the Bible. Unlike traditional Biblical Gospels, it lacks a narrative of Jesus’ life and instead presents spiritual teachings allegedly passed to his disciples. Scholars believe it was written in the second century, long after the apostles’ deaths, casting doubt on its attribution to the Apostle Thomas. Its omission from the Bible stems from three key factors: it lacks apostolic eyewitness validation, aligns more with Gnostic beliefs (emphasizing personal spiritual knowledge), and deviates significantly from canonical Christian doctrine.

The Gospel of Thomas presents a unique perspective, focusing on inner enlightenment rather than sin, death, or resurrection. It portrays Jesus as teaching that salvation comes from recognizing truth and self-awareness. For example, it suggests the kingdom of God is not in the sky or sea, but “inside of you, and it’s outside of you.” Although it contrasts with traditional Christian texts, many view its messages as complementary rather than contradictory. Its emphasis on internal faith and individual spirituality resonates with contemporary views of religion, even as scholarly debate continues over its authenticity and place in Christian history.