GP027: The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas
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The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas is one of the most important discoveries of modern times, giving us a different picture of who Jesus was. In this episode of the Gnostic Podcast Dr. Jay Forrest examines the once lost Gospel of Thomas. He begins by explaining how the Gospel was discovered near the city of Hag Hammadi, Egypt. He gives a little background about an early group of Christians called Gnostics. Jay also spend some time on the date that the Gospel of Thomas was first written. He also deals with the authorship and the language it was written in. Jay also claim that Thomas is not a secret Gospel, despite claims to the contrary. He also explains what the hidden or mystic saying were and what their real purpose is. He compares these saying to the Zen Buddhists koan. He also shows why they are not to be taken literally. He further explains that the Gospel of Thomas is or is not Gnostic depending on how you define Gnostic. He closes the podcast by dealing with Elaine Pagels theory that the Gospel of John was written to contradict the Gospel of Thomas. Truly an eye opening podcast for those interested in the historical Jesus.
CREDITS
Theme Music was “I believe” by Dale Rucklos
Closing Song was “Cruise Control” by Azoora
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Hell is not a place of torment in the literal flames of fire where souls suffer forever and ever. In this episode of the Gnostic Podcast Dr. Jay Forrest explains the true meaning of two Greek words that are translated hell in Bible translations, hades and gehenna. As Jay explains, hades is simply the grave. And gehenna is actually refers to the garbage dump just outside of Jerusalem that was constantly burning trash. As Jay explains, gehenna was used by Jesus to figuratively refer to the annihilation of the soul. Gehenna could be translated garbage dump, as Jay illustrates in a number of passages. Jay also explains the two passages that seem to teach that hell is a place of torment, specifically Luke 16 and in the book of Revelation. The first is a parable and should not be taken literally. And the second, the book of Revelation, is a book that really should not be in the Bible. He lists a several reasons that Revelation should not be included in the Bible, including its non-acceptance in the East and the fact that it is a forgery. He concludes by saying that hell is not a place, but a state of non-being. Hell does not exist.
Have you ever wondered what Gnostic Christians believe and how these beliefs fit together with one another? In this episode of the Gnostic Podcast Dr. Jay Forrest gives you an overview of what he believes on over a dozen topics. This topics include The Experience of God, The Safest Way to God, the Scriptures, Apostolic Tradition, The Holy Trinity, Creation and Evolution, Jehovah, Humanity and Sin, Jesus Christ, Salvation through Gnosis, Holographic Simulation, Spiritual Resurrection, The Holy Spirit, The Sacraments, Priesthood of All Gnostic Christians, Organic Church Life, and The End of the World. Jay uses the Belief statement from the website as the basis of the podcast, working through each statement and explaining it in more detail.
The Gnostic Christian Bible consists of 22 books including Mark, Matthew, Luke, Thomas, John, Acts, The Didache, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, Galatians, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Romans, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians, Hebrews, James, Peter, Epistle of John, and The Odes of Solomon. In this episode of the Gnostic Podcast Dr. Jay Forrest returns to the subject of the Gnostic Christian Scriptures and explains his change in perspective. Originally Jay divided the Scriptures into Foundational Scriptures and Interpretative Scriptures. Since then he has modified his view of this division, preferring to call the Foundational Scriptures “the Bible” and the interpretive texts he now refers to as “Apostolic Tradition.” He explains what this apostolic tradition is. He also explains why he accepts pretty much the same New Testament as the proto-orthodox.
The sacrament of the bridal chamber was the Gnostic name for that mystical union of one’s spirit with God. In this episode of the Gnostic Podcast Dr. Jay Forrest explains the meaning of the bridal chamber, eliminating common misconceptions that have arisen because the romantic language used concerning it. Some have wrongly thought that the bridal chamber deals with physical relations, while others have conceived of it as marriage without physical relations. As Jay shows, the Gnostic texts describe the bridal chamber as the place and the experience of God’s presence. Jay also explains how this union with God includes the union of soul and spirit, symbolized by Adam and Eve. “God himself pursues a love relationship with you,” writes Henry Blackaby and Claude King, “He is the One who takes the initiative to bring you into this kind of relationship. He created you for a love relationship with himself. That is the very purpose of your life. This love relationship can and should be real and personal to you.” And the bridal chamber is the place of that intimacy with God.