Unearthing the Lost Words of Jesus: The Discovery and Text of the Gospel of Thomas

The time is just after World War II. The place is Upper Egypt not far from the pyramids. A group of camel drivers embroiled in a deadly blood feud is secretly digging for fertilizer along the Nile River near their enemies' village when they uncover an earthenware jar. Believing it is filled either with gold or evil spirits, one of them smashes open the ancient vessel. Unwittingly, he has discovered the greatest collection of apocryphal Christian documents ever found. Among these fourth-century papyrus books is The Gospel of Thomas, an unusual manuscript purportedly dictated by Jesus to "doubting Thomas." The dramatic narrative history is combined with a special translation of this spiritually enlightening text. The image of Jesus that emerges is strikingly different from the figure portrayed in the New Testament. Thomas describes Jesus in pure, simple terms - unadulterated by 2000 years of myth and interpretation - a wise man with a Zen-like view of the world.