Original Christianity: a New Key to Understanding the Gospel of Thomas and Other Lost Scriptures

Cover; Copyright; Contents; Introduction: Return of the King of Terror; 1. Relics of an Ancient War: The Lost Scriptures of Early Christianity; 2. The Potter''s Soil: The Ground the Church Was Planted In; 3. Literature''s First Theme: Soul Division from Gilgamest to Galilee; 4. Self-Correction of a Natural System: The Two Faces of Resurrection; 5. The Gospel of Thomas: A Primer on Living in Christ; 6. The Other Half of the Bible: Resurrection and Redemption in the Nag Hammadi Scriptures; 7. Single Standards and Twin Traditions: Echos of Our Lost Inheritance; Conclusion: A Christian Manifesto.;"Whoever finds the interpretation of these sayings will not experience death."--The Gospel of ThomasThe work of scholars such as Elaine Pagels and Marvin Meyer have captured the imagination of the public by setting forth the Gospel of Thomas and other lost teachings of Jesus. Now Peter Novak, in Original Christianity, brings forth a critical element essential for fully understanding these scriptures. Novak argues that the authors of these early texts subscribed to the Binary Soul Doctrine--an ancient belief system that allows for both reincarnation and an eternal afterlife. Novak's interdi.