The Apostle Thomas

Of all the apostles, Thomas is perhaps the most famous and the most misunderstood. Immortalized for a single moment of skepticism, the epithet "Doubting Thomas" overshadows a far richer and more complex legacy that stretches from the sparse accounts in the New Testament to the vibrant traditions of Eastern Christianity.

In The Apostle Thomas: A Bibliography, author CW Lewis embarks on a comprehensive journey to uncover the multifaceted figure of Thomas, moving beyond simplistic portrayals to reveal his profound impact on the development of Christian thought, practice, and art across centuries and continents. This exhaustive work synthesizes textual analysis, historical inquiry, and cultural study to present a holistic portrait of the enigmatic apostle.

Readers will explore:

• Canonical Foundations: A critical examination of Thomas's role in the New Testament, focusing on the powerful theological weight of his climactic confession, "My Lord and my God!" in the Gospel of John.
• Apocryphal Worlds: A deep dive into the non-canonical texts that dramatically expand Thomas's story, including the mystical Gospel of Thomas and the adventurous Acts of Thomas, which depicts his missionary journeys to India.
• Historical and Archaeological Traces: An investigation of the historical records and archaeological evidence, particularly from ancient India, that speak to the claims of his evangelistic mission in the East.
• Patristic Interpretations: A thorough analysis of how early Church Fathers like Origen and Eusebius engaged with and shaped the traditions surrounding the apostle.
• Enduring Legacy: An exploration of Thomas's lasting impact on theology, iconography, and devotion across diverse cultures, from the early Church to the present day.