Research on the Gospel of Thomas in the last quarter of a century has made it clear that the origins of this apocryphal gospel cannot be satisfactorily explained from a single point of view. The author thus suggests that Thomas be understood as a growing collection of sayings which originated in various places and languages, with some logia being added to the collection after its inception. While this suggestion is by no means new, there have been few extensive attempts to study Thomas from such a presupposition. Due to the need for a control group, only the logia which have rather close parallels to the Synoptic gospels are investigated. Verbal and textual affinities are noted between these logia and the earliest texts of the Gospels (the Coptic versions, the Diatessaron, the Old Syriac version, and other early versions and Christian writings). Various degrees of probable contact between each logion and these texts are assigned. The results of this study give some idea as to the place of origin, the original language, and the approximate date at which certain logia were added to the collection. Those sayings which show a closer affinity to the Diatessaron, the Old Syriac version, or other Syrian writings may be considered as having been added to the sayings collection as it circulated in its earliest form, possibly in a Semitic language. Other logia which show no signs of awareness of a Syrian reading, but which are similar to variants found in the Coptic versions or other Egyptian texts, may well have originated in Egypt and been added to the collection at a later stage. These results, however, must await verification by those who might approach Thomas from related, but different, perspectives.

The concepts of "Life" and "Light" are prominent in the prologue of the fourth gospel (cf. John 1:4, 5, 7, 8, 9) and have been studied by various scholars as important themes. In the past years, the quest for the conceptual background of the prologue and the entire Gospel has led to converging and diverging opinions. But are all the proposed backgrounds important to the reader to understand and interpret the fourth gospel? Should we find the relevant religious background, could it help us understand and interpret the "Life" and "Light" concepts in the prologue and the rest of the Gospel? The aim of this study is to identify the most appropriate background against which to read and explore the concepts of "Life" and "Light" in the fourth gospel. We also wish to study other selected passages from the fourth gospel that relate to "Life" and "Light". The reason for doing this is to find out if they can add meaning to our understanding of "Life" and "Light" in the prologue. The study reviews and compares crucial literature on the fourth gospel. Attention is given to the development of the debate on the religious background that influenced John. It also seeks to discover if there are any fresh ideas on the religious background of the fourth gospel. Reference will be made to primary material like the Dead Sea Scrolls, first century Palestinian Judaism, Josephus, and Philo of Alexandria. The following proposed backgrounds will be reviewed: Hellenistic Judaism, Philo of Alexandria, Gnosticism, Hermetic Literature, Mandaism, the Old Testament, Rabbinic Judaism, the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Samaritan background. This research is undertaken within the reformed evangelical tradition, and is informed by the historical critical method. The author argues that the Old Testament and its development in first century Palestinian Judaism is the most plausible background against which to understand the "Life" and "Light" concepts in the fourth gospel. The study concludes that "Life" in the fourth Gospel is understood as eternal life characterized by quality, happiness, blessedness and many other good characteristics. Believing in Jesus who is the true life leads one to enjoy the authentic life. The life that he gives triumphs over death through the resurrection. Concerning "Light" the study also concludes that to receive the light (Jesus) is to receive salvation accompanied by enlightenment, joy, blessings and victory. It is impossible to receive the "Light" that Jesus gives and to fail to have the "Life" that he gives. The absence of the "Life" and "Light" from him leads to suffering, hopelessness and death without hope. Thus, the Old Testament and Pharisaic Judaism meaning of these two concepts is fulfilled in Jesus the "Life" and the "Light" in the fourth Gospel. / Thesis (M.A. (New Testament))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 289-301). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia, Pa.), 2007. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 252-257).

Thesis (Th. M.)--Dallas Theological Seminary, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 58-62).

Thesis (M.A.)--Liberty University, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia, Pa.), 2007. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 252-257).

Issued also as thesis, Munich. / Bibliography: p. 155-159.

Thesis (Th. M.)--Dallas Theological Seminary, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 58-62).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Dallas Theological Seminary, 2001. / Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 248-255).