The Gospel of Thomas and Jesus by Stephen J. Patterson

A masterfully drawn picture of the debate and controversy that has surrounded the Gospel of Thomas since its discovery in 1945. Stephen Patterson concludes that this collection of sayings is not a text dependent on the synoptic gospels, but like the Gospel of John is an independent document from another early Christian school of thought. Unlike those who lived in the more settled communities known to Mark, Matthew, and Luke, the people who produced Thomas lived in a world of itinerant radicalism.

"A most thorough and comprehensive study of a subject that has so far received too little attention." —The Expository Times

"... use of this book as a text in graduate seminars has shown it to contain a wealth of valuable information and argument; it is well written, intelligent, and to be recommended."—The Journal of Religion

"This book is clearly written, and its methodological assumptions are openly stated. P. has presented a detailed argument for the autonomous character of the Thomas tradition, and his argument deserves careful scrutiny. His portrait of itinerant Thomas Christians and their conflicts with settled Christians should also stimulate debate."—The Catholic Biblical Quarterly

Stephen J. Patterson is Associate Professor of New Testament, Eden Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri.

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