Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The Key to Understanding Jesus and the Apostles

This unique Gospel message is Freely given for the sake of the church.

Seemingly hidden for many centuries, but now revealed, the recent discovery of a "key of knowledge" has yielded a practical and very useful cross reference tool to understand the scriptures.


This Tau-Rho Cross is created by the joining of the two letters Tau (T) and Rho (P) into the one amalgamated letter often known as the Staurogram. This amalgamation reveals the primary message of "The Word of God": specifically, "Make the two into one." The joining together of these two letters into the one amalgamated letter illustrates the marriage of the bride and the bridegroom, and also the reconciliation of all things into the one body, (Ephesians 1:10, 5:32).

Upright and joined together the Tau and the Rho looks a bit like a Cross, or even a disciple carrying a cross. Turned sideways this Staurogram looks a lot like a key. Jesus said, “Woe unto you, lawyers! for you have taken away the key of knowledge: you have not entered in yourselves (into the kingdom), and them that were entering in you hindered,” (Luke 11:52). Jesus said "When you make the two into one... then will you enter the kingdom" (Thomas 39). This key is a parable, an illustration revealing the great mystery, and the primary message of The Word of God: Reunite that which is divided, make the two one, and enter the kingdom.

This key of knowledge, this cross shaped key is found hidden within many early manuscripts, and most prominently and climatically within the controversial Gospel of Thomas. This appears to be where "the pharisees and the scribes have taken the key(s) of knowledge (gnosis) and hidden them, (Thomas 39). However, now revealed, this mysterious key can unlock a treasure chest allowing the diligent disciple to discover the hidden connections both within Thomas, and within the canonical letters.

Convincing sequential similarities in thought, word, and rhetoric between the Gospel of Thomas and several canonical writings become plainly visible. Providing an invaluable contribution to the study of the New Testament, these connections appear to reveal the original thought processes behind the apostolic writings.

Aligning and combining the sayings of Jesus within The Gospel of Thomas together with the canonical apostolic writings, we "make the two into one." It's almost like Jesus and the apostles left us a cross reference study bible.

The Gospel of Thomas - New Testament
Cross Reference Study

Open the links.  Connect the Key Words.  Be Amazed and Enter.

The Gospel of Thomas - The Gospel of Matthew Connection

The Gospel of Thomas - The Gospel of Mark Connection

The Gospel of Thomas - The Gospel of Luke Connection

The Gospel of Thomas - The Gospel of John Connection
 
The Gospel of Thomas - Acts Connection

The Gospel of Thomas - Romans Connection


The Gospel of Thomas - 1 Corinthians Connection


The Gospel of Thomas - 2 Corinthians Connection


The Gospel of Thomas - Galatians Connection


The Gospel of Thomas - Ephesians Connection


The Gospel of Thomas - Philippians Connection


The Gospel of Thomas - Colossians Connection


The Gospel of Thomas - 1 Thessalonians Connection


The Gospel of Thomas - 2 Thessalonians Connection


The Gospel of Thomas - 1 Timothy Connection


The Gospel of Thomas - 2 Timothy Connection


The Gospel of Thomas - Titus Connection


The Gospel of Thomas - Philemon Connection


The Gospel of Thomas - Hebrews Connection


The Gospel of Thomas - James Connection


The Gospel of Thomas - 1 Peter Connection


The Gospel of Thomas - 2 Peter Connection


The Gospel of Thomas - 1 John Connection


The Gospel of Thomas - 2 John Connection


The Gospel of Thomas - 3 John Connection


The Gospel of Thomas - Jude Connection


The Gospel of Thomas - Revelations Connection
 

“Give attendance to reading… Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all,” 1 Timothy 4:1315.

These new insights suggest that The Gospel of Thomas squares more neatly into the framework of early Christianity than is commonly assumed. Such similarities, connections, and cross references could revolutionize our understanding of the epistles, the gospel, the tapestry of the early church, and even of Christ.

I think the implications of these revelations stretch the imagination beyond belief. What do you think? Being the only known document with simultaneously extensive, sequential, and unique connections to all these early canonical writings does not suggest a later date for Thomas, but rather a very, very early date.

If there had been only one New Testament text that aligned with the Thomas text it might be difficult to determine which text came first, but this is not the case. As can be seen in the above links, there are many New Testament writings aligning themselves with Thomas.

The reason this suggests an early date is that it becomes extremely unlikely that a later author could have fashioned Thomas using the sayings of Jesus from the canonical Gospels, while simultaneously and sequentially matching the Rhetoric of so many epistles (See the Key Word Connection links above), while also consistently maintaining both the inner and outer loosely based chiasms that provide the overarching structure for the Gospel of Thomas. It is much, much easier to believe that Thomas came first, and that the other writings flowed out from Thomas.

What does all this mean?
Why are these texts interconnected in such an extensive manner?
What do these connections teach us about the meaning of the canonical letters and about Thomas?
Let's dare to ask the difficult question:

Did Paul, James, Peter, and John construct their letters using "The Gospel of Thomas?" This does appear to be the case, (See the Key Word Connection links above). Why would the apostles do this? I am suggesting that the apostles appear to be following a pattern provided to them by Jesus.

Without being overly dramatic, I would like to make this next point as straightforward as possible. Perhaps the most simple explanation for these connections, and for the apparent apostolic reliance upon the Gospel of Thomas is that Thomas was The Original Gospel Of Christ.

Thomas appears to be the "Original Gospel" Jesus delivered to those closest to him, and to those who walked with him in His Way. It is within his rejected message and walk of renunciation that the key is found. Specifically, Thomas appears to be a more spiritual minded message tailored primarily for those who had forsaken all to follow Christ. 

The Thomas prologue explains that Christ was the originator of this Gospel and that this gospel was merely written down or scribed by Thomas. Apostolic acceptance that Christ was the author of this gospel would explain the connections, and would explain why the apostles used this gospel so extensively? (See the Thomas prologue)

As mentioned earlier, as can be seen in the above links, the apostles appear to have relied heavily upon this Original Gospel authored by Christ, considering phrase by phrase the words of Jesus in Thomas, as they wrote their own writings. If this reliance and interconnectedness between the New Testament and Thomas is genuine, as it appears to be, then the many canonical references to "The Gospel of Christ", "The Testimony of Jesus ", " The Doctrine of Christ", " His Sayings", " The Preaching of Jesus Christ", " The Gospel of God", " The Word of God", " The Revelation of Jesus Christ", " The Everlasting Gospel", and even just " The Gospel" could all reasonably be direct references, and sometimes even veiled references to "The Gospel of Thomas"

If we have now recovered Christ's own gospel, then this could be revolutionary. As a unique gospel, apparently intended primarily for those within the church, this key of knowledge teaches those who would follow Jesus, as one of his disciples, how to live life as a wandering radical. It then reveals to these solitary and elect the complete reunification and oneness of the all through the teachings of the bridal chamber. This gospel, if sent and received, could be a significant challenge to the current religious world.

May we be granted wisdom and grace.
And may we be found building upon the Rock,

URfriend,
Dean Johnson
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P.S. To Consider the Old Testament's prophetic proclamation of "The Testimony of Jesus" or "The Original Gospel of Christ" see The Two Sided Scroll in the Old Testament.

Perhaps, "The Gospel of Thomas" was even used by non-canonical authors:

From the Nag Hammadi Library
See The Gospel of Thomas - The Gospel of Truth Connection
 
See also The Gospel of Thomas - The Quran Connection
This page examines the concept of the Injel or the Original 114 sayings of the Gospel of Christ as it relates to the 114 Surahs of the Quran. It is still under construction. 

A Judeo-Christian-Islamic Cross Reference Study of Scripture is yet to be created.

Yet to be examined, and perhaps for another day is a possible
connection between Thomas and Enoch.

The creation of these comparisons between Thomas and these many texts may require many years of study. If you recognize the value of these comparative studies and would like to collaborate in this effort or get involved in this work, then please Contact me, or begin your own studies and publications.

Those with Desktop Publishing, Web Design, and Proofreading skills are most welcomed.

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The Everlasting Gospel of Christ is for all humanity.
Some may even be interested in pursuing a comparison between Thomas, Mark and the witness of the stars, or even comparing the 114 sayings of Thomas, the Upanishads and the 114 Chakras. A comparison between The Tao Te Ching and Thomas will yield useful results.

Or if you prefer to just enjoy the fruits of this labour, you may examine
The Gospel of Thomas - New Testament
Cross Reference Study

And
Read The Gospel of Thomas
Watch The Gospel of Thomas

Blessings on you as you discover His message for all humanity.
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