Thomas and the Gospels: The Case for Thomas's Familiarity with the Synoptics

by Mark Goodacre

Overview

The Gospel of Thomas -- found in 1945 -- has been described as without question the most significant Christian book discovered in modern times. Often Thomas is seen as a special independent witness to the earliest phase of Christianity and as evidence for the now-popular view that this earliest phase was a dynamic time of great variety and diversity.

In contrast, Mark Goodacre makes the case that, instead of being an early, independent source, Thomas actually draws on the Synoptic Gospels as source material -- not to provide a clear narrative, but to assemble an enigmatic collection of mysterious, pithy sayings to unnerve and affect the reader. Goodacre supports his argument with illuminating analyses and careful comparisons of Thomas with Matthew and Luke.

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Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802867483
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	09/24/2012
Pages:	236
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Mark Goodacre is associate professor in New Testament at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. His other books include The Case Against Q: Studies in Markan Priority and the Synoptic Problem. He is well known for NTGateway.com, an award-winning web directory of internet New Testament resources.

Table of Contents

Preface vi

Abbreviations ix

1 First Impressions 1

2 Verbatim Agreement between Thomas and the Synoptics 26

3 Diagnostic Shards 49

4 Matthean Redaction in Thomas 66

5 Lukan Redaction in Thomas 82

6 A Special Case: Thomas 79 and Luke 97

7 The Missing Middle in Thomas 109

8 Orality, Literacy, and Thomas 128

9 Dating Thomas and the Gospels 154

10 Secrecy, Authority, and Legitimation: How and Why Thomas Used the Synoptics 172

Conclusion: The Fifth Gospel? 193

Bibliography 197

Index of Authors 211

Index of Subjects 216

Index of Ancient Texts 219

Editorial Reviews

Religious Studies Review
"This book is the first monograph ever published that explores the case that Thomas knew the Synoptic Gospels. . . . A very important book, and I find it hard to resist the force of Goodacre's argument."

Bibliotheca Sacra
"Goodacre's analysis of the evidence is excellent and he does not lose sight of the larger question of Christian origins. As a result, he is able to investigate the small and seemingly inconsequential details that specialists will require and also engage students new to the topic. Through the book readers of both sorts will find Goodacre's sustained argument that Thomas is dependent on the Synoptic Gospels. Scholars who argue that Thomas reflects an independent and early strand of Christianity will have to contend with this volume."

Southwestern Journal of Theology
"This is an important work both for Gospel of Thomas studies as well as Synoptic studies from which both scholars and Bible students can benefit."

The Bible Today
"This is an excellent example of careful scholarship. . . . Goodacre makes the effective and patient case that in fact Thomas was familiar with the Synoptics and was written after 135 C.E."

Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
"Thomas and the Gospels is meticulous in its argumentation and clear in its presentation. The result is a compelling case for the knowledge and use of the Synoptic Gospels in the Gospel of Thomas. Those who hope to make the case for the independence of the Gospel of Thomas from the Synoptics will now have a very hard row to hoe indeed."

Journal of Theological Studies
"A fresh and balanced study. . . . Goodacre's argument is convincing and a breath of fresh air in a sometimes stale debate. In the very least, Goodacre has demonstrably shifted the burden of proof upon scholars who would argue for an early, independent Thomas."

Review & Expositor
"The importance of this book's contribution to the field of early Christian historical research cannot be overstated. . . . In this fine piece of scholarship, Goodacre suggests that we might lay down our wild theories and return Thomas to its place on the shelf with the rest of the Nag Hammadi library."

Choice (American Library Association)
"Goodacre argues cogently that the Gospel of Thomas postdates and shows familiarity with all three Synoptic Gospels. . . . Future scholars who want to argue for the independence of the Gospel of Thomas or its predating the Synoptics will have an uphill battle after Goodacre's work. Highly recommended."

Journal for the Study of the New Testament
"With characteristic lucidity in detail and in overall structure, and in careful conversation with other scholars, Goodacre presents a case that should persuade, or at least stimulate the unpersuaded to respond as cogently."

Biblica
"An imposing front in the newest wave of Thomasine scholarship."

Larry W. Hurtado
-- University of Edinburgh
"With firm and vigorous (but never shrill) argumentation, incisive critique of other views, and full and clearheaded handling of the data, Mark Goodacre mounts a cogent, persuasive case that the Gospel of Thomas reflects acquaintance with the Synoptic Gospels. This is not a rehash of earlier arguments but a creative treatment that introduces new analysis of this important early Christian text."

Dale C. Allison Jr.
-- Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
"Meticulous, adroit, and closely reasoned, this work will immediately become the definitive presentation of the case that Thomas draws on the Synoptics. Those who take the contrary position truly have their work cut out for them."

Simon Gathercole
-- Cambridge University
"Written with both verve and calm intelligence, this book is head and shoulders above most of the rest of scholarship on Thomas and the Synoptics. It grapples skilfully with both the nitty-gritty of the Greek and Coptic texts and the various scholarly minefields. Read it!"

Klyne Snodgrass
-- North Park Theological Seminary
"Goodacre engages the secondary literature carefully, challenges exaggerated claims and unjust assumptions, and offers valuable insight. . . . Anyone who cares at all about the Gospel of Thomas cannot afford to neglect this book."

Andrew Gregory
-- University College, Oxford
"Mark Goodacre offers a bold and distinctive approach to the ongoing debate about the relationship between the Gospel of Thomas and the Synoptic Gospels. Rightly rejecting the tendency to label and thereby dismiss opposing views as either 'liberal' or 'conservative, ' he focuses instead on the textual evidence on which any responsible historical conclusion must be reached."

Nicola Denzey Lewis
-- Brown University
"This book is quietly revolutionary, turning on its head sixty years of scholarship. . . . Those on both sides of the divide have much to learn from Goodacre's meticulous scholarship."

John S. Kloppenborg
-- University of Toronto
"Among those works that argue for Thomas's dependence on the Synoptic Gospels, this one by Mark Goodacre is rare for taking Thomas seriously as a literary work rather than merely dismissing it as a secondary compilation. Though not an exhaustive or definitive treatment of Thomas, this book merits serious consideration. Goodacre's arguments, always incisive and well considered, invite an equally serious response."

Trinity Journal
"Thomas and the Gospels is a clear, concise, and compelling argument for Thomas's familiarity with the Synoptic tradition and will serve well as an entry into the growing world of Thomas studies."

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