Synopsis: This translation of the Gospel of Thomas represents a
departure from the usual literal English of previous publications.
It aims at providing a reader-friendly translation of the original
Coptic language in contemporary idiomatic English, while remaining
true to the complexities of the Coptic. The commentary seeks to
clarify each saying as it likely would have been understood in the
historical context of the Coptic language during the period of
Thomas's popularity in Egypt. The sayings in Thomas in this period
are no longer sayings of the Jewish man Jesus of Nazareth, but they
have become sayings of a revelation bearer, the living Jesus, who
announces a radical faith for a new age of the church. The
historical matrix that best serves to inform the text is found in a
continuation, albeit in a radical direction, of the traditional
faiths represented in the earliest Christian literature.
Endorsements: "Hedrick, himself an expert in non-canonical
("apocryphal") Gospels, has here presented for a popular audience a
free-flowing non-literal (but accurate) translation of The Gospel
of Thomas, with a commentary on each saying, followed by an
extensive glossary to explain the more technical terms . . . T]his
impressive volume initiates in a readable way the beginner into the
scholarly discussion as far as one may wish to go." --James
Robinson, Claremont Graduate University "Professor Hedrick's clear
modern-English translation and commentary will make this important
early source for the teachings of Jesus understandable to anyone
who is interested in the foundations of Christianity. His
commentaries are particularly valuable because they show the many
ways that Jesus' sayings in the Gospel of Thomas relate to Jesus'
sayings in the Bible, as well as how those sayings are similar to
other passages in ancient religious literature." --Stevan Davies,
Misericordia University "A text like the Gospel of Thomas poses
special difficulties to a translator: should its apparent obscurity
be retained or clarified? Like all best translators, Charles
Hedrick has first decided what the text means and then translates
accordingly. The result is a fresh, often bold and unexpected, and
yet always dependable translation of this important text." --Ismo
Dunderberg, University of Helsinki "Unlocking the Secrets of the
Gospel according to Thomas offers a reader-friendly introduction to
the Gospel of Thomas that is, at the same time, the product of a
career of detailed study of this early gospel. Hedrick's
introduction is both balanced and readable, his new translation of
the Coptic text is fresh and idiomatic, and his brief comments on
each saying filled with learning. This is ideal for undergraduate
teaching and for the general reader." --John S. Kloppenborg,
University of Toronto "While clarifying its numerous relations to
antique literature both within and outside the Bible, Hedrick
presents Thomas' Gospel as a collection of sayings that speak for
themselves by inviting each reader's individual response to the
transforming wisdom of Jesus as seen by its users from the second
century onwards, rather than as a mere historical artifact or aid
for determining the character of Jesus' original message." --John
Turner, University of Nebraska Author Biography: Charles W. Hedrick
is Distinguished Emeritus Professor at Missouri State University,
Springfield, Missouri. He is author of numerous books and articles
on subjects relating to New Testament studies. His most recent book
is: House of Faith or Enchanted Forest? American Popular Belief in
an Age of Reason (Cascade Books, 2009).
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