Abstract
Being and Becoming Children of Light
A Comparison of Thomas 50 and John 12:35-36 and their Respective Gospels
Mary Gedeon-Harvan
Scholars have postulated numerous theories about the Gospel according to Thomas and the Gospel according to John from a diachronic perspective on issues of provenance, dating and authorship. They have argued for the existence of community conflicts centered on bodily resurrection, soteriology and divine light indwelling human beings. Using Logion 50 and John 12:35-36 as a springboard, this thesis examines these gospels synchronically comparing how their respective genres and textual nuances unveil the distinct audiences of these ancient writings. It also explores how the texts themselves point to the different ways that the Thomasine and Johannine authors and their audiences related to Jesus and the (living) Father, their views on salvation and the heavenly kingdom, and their self-image as (potential) children of God/Light. The audiences’ distinct viewpoints in turn required the texts to present the character of Jesus as executing differently his revelatory mission to each of them. Different views regarding the concepts of oneness and that of light and darkness are also examined. In Thomas oneness denotes singularity whereas in John it denotes unity. Light and darkness also symbolize different views in these gospels. In Thomas they represent gnosis versus ignorance while in John they take on a moral sense.
