Originally Posted by davidmartin

The trouble isn't with the Gospel of Thomas, its with the very idea of Jesus having teachings!
Because according to standard Christian theology it is belief in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus that saves and this is not through 'works'. And works encompasses comprehension of truth as well as trying to live a good life
So any teachings that Jesus had, are really heretical to this concept
But the gospels themselves refute such a dogmatic view when they say that the words of Jesus are life!
This is a fundamental contradiction, especially when Paul quotes not one of Jesus's teachings, or anything about his life
And when Jesus encountered the woman at the well, he spoke about the Holy Spirit not himself as what salvation is
One obvious resolution is to bring together his teaching with the meaning of his sacrifice and see them as part of a greater outpouring of salvation that is in everything he said and did
I think that is how the early Christians saw it
Only later when religion crept in and Paul's ideas were embellished into fixed doctrine and stale religion took over would Jesus's own words, be considered as embarrassing
Oh he had a teaching, better downplay that in case people think it can save them! It can't sorry Jesus, but your words of life, can't save because we said so. Only if you accept the statement of faith we came up with, only then are you saved!