Assignment:
Read The Gospel of Thomas" (pg. 279 - 303).
Read The Gospel of Judas (pg. 343 - 357).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE5MFF2UNB4
Please summarize your understanding and your feelings about the interpretations contained in the video called "The Lost Gospel of Thomas: Unknown Teachings of Yeshua" (listed as 3 on our list of resources for this section). The teachings in the "secret" gospels can be very difficult to understand (as you will see when you read through them in your textbook), but this video explains a bit more clearly what these teachings might be saying. (Hint: It will greatly improve your ability to understand the video and your overall understanding of these kinds of teachings if you go through the other resources before watching the video.)
NOTE: It will not help your grade in the slightest if you simply reject the gospels not contained in the Bible based on your beliefs. If you wish to reject them, that is absolutely fine, but you must do it based on information found in the scholarly resources. Remember that Jesus said in all four New Testament Gospels that he gave secret teachings to his followers, and these gnostic gospels have been authenticated to the time and place of his early followers. While the orthodox church did not approve of these texts - based on the church's own understanding and agenda - many of Jesus' followers found them to be very meaningful and closer to their own understanding of his teachings.
As always, please include direct quotes and/or references to the video