He's a Very Naughty Boy: The Infancy Gospel of Thomas
Nov 14, 2023
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An intriguing discussion about the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, which contains stories of a mischievous young Jesus. They explore the authorship and attribution of the gospel, debunk forged gospels, and delve into the childhood stories. The gospel depicts Jesus performing miracles, cursing people, and engaging with teachers, similar to biblical prophets. The podcast also discusses the message of the gospel, affirming the value of family.
The Infancy Gospel of Thomas portrays Jesus as a mischievous yet powerful child, challenging societal norms and highlighting the complex dynamics between Jesus, his parents, and their neighbors.
The Infancy Gospel of Thomas offers a unique perspective on family relationships within the context of early Christianity, emphasizing the value of family life and exploring the challenges of raising a divine child.
Deep dives
The Non-Canonical Gospels: Exploring the Infancy Gospels
In this special episode of Miss Quoting Jesus, Bart Ehrman interviews Christopher Frilingus, an expert on the non-canonical gospels. Specifically, they discuss the Infancy Gospel of Thomas and the Proto-Gospel of James, both of which provide unique insights into the birth and early life of Jesus. The Infancy Gospel of Thomas portrays Jesus as a mischievous yet powerful child, performing miracles and challenging societal norms. The Proto-Gospel of James focuses more on Mary and her miraculous birth leading up to the birth of Jesus. These gospels were influential in early Christianity and are examined within the context of family dynamics and the challenges faced by Jesus' parents.
Themes in the Infancy Gospel of Thomas
The Infancy Gospel of Thomas offers a collection of stories about Jesus' childhood, from the age of five to twelve. Some notable themes include Jesus' mischievous behavior, such as forming clay birds on the Sabbath, cursing others, and causing harm. These stories challenge the traditional image of Jesus as a perfectly obedient child. They also highlight the complex dynamics between Jesus, his parents, and their neighbors, as they navigate issues of parental authority and societal expectations. The stories provoke questions about family life and the challenges faced by Joseph and Mary in raising a divine child.
Interpretations and Scholarly Perspectives
Scholars have approached the Infancy Gospel of Thomas from various perspectives. Some view these stories as prophesies of Jesus' future greatness, demonstrating his divine power from childhood. Others compare them to ancient biographies, highlighting the consistent character of Jesus throughout his life. The stories also parallel biblical accounts of prophets who curse their enemies. Despite their controversial and shocking nature, these stories do not serve as historical sources, but rather engage in broader conversations about family dynamics and the role of parents in navigating challenges.
The Family Gospel: Understanding the Message
Rather than categorizing the Infancy Gospel of Thomas as a childhood or infancy gospel, Christopher Frilingus proposes viewing it as a family gospel. The focus is not solely on Jesus, but on the family dynamics between Jesus, Joseph, and Mary. The stories emphasize the value of family life, despite the difficulties they face. They explore the challenges that parents experience in raising a divine child and the importance of maintaining familial bonds. The Infancy Gospel of Thomas offers a unique perspective on family relationships within the context of early Christianity.
The Infancy Gospel of Thomas is one of the most intriguing and peculiar non-canonical accounts of Jesus' life from outside the New Testament. The New Testament itself provides only one story about Jesus as a boy (as a twelve-year old, in Luke 2); this later account contains intriguing stories of the mischievous Son of God from ages 5-12.
Is he an uncontrollable supernatural being who hasn't yet learned to control his power? Or a Savior already confronting the evils of the world? Or a prime example of a resident family problem?
In this special episode Bart interviews Christopher Frilingos, professor of Early Christianity at Michigan State, an expert in the non-canonical Gospels with an unusual theory about the Infancy Gospel of Thomas
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