 the divinity of Jesus; Gnosticism was more about heart than head.
Gnostic, meaning “knowing” was at one time, an acceptable way of reflecting on scripture.
Similar to our “lectio divina” it was based on prayer and intuitive understanding with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Clement of Alexandria called mature Christians “true gnostics” because they had come to a deeper understanding of their faith.
It was said that scripture was the meeting ground for their deep encounter with Christ
I like that definition.
There was, however, another branch of Gnosticism that was negative and dualistic in its teaching.
It called the body a tomb – soma sema – and made a clear division between spirit and matter.
So where does the Gospel of Thomas fit?
Originally it was regarded apostolic, and it stood alongside the Gospel of John.
Both contain the private teachings of Jesus handed down orally by the disciples.
When the Emperor Constantine called orthodox bishops together in 325, the Council of Nicaea established a common creed and doctrines, including the four gospels favoured earlier by bishop Iranaeus.
It seems Iranaeus had chosen the John gospel because it had been a favourite of his teacher Polycarp.
Once the selection of books was established, all other writings, including the Gospel of Thomas, were labelled heresy and had to be destroyed.
That roughly, briefly, is the history.
Last century, the Gospel of Thomas turned up in the Nag Hammadi scripts found in upper Egypt.
It has been dated as one of the earliest gospels, possibly earlier than Mark, and now Biblical scholars tell us it is apostolic.
Elaine Pagels, an authority on the Gospel of Thomas matches the mystical sayings of Jesus with passages in the canonical gospels, especially John and Mark.
Which is very good news for those of us who have been surreptitiously enjoying the Gospel of Thomas.
But generally, the Church doesn’t share this enthusiasm.
I wonder why.
Perhaps the problem lies with the last verses of the Gospel of Thomas.
Here, the disciples are having a cultural grouch.
They tell Jesus he needs to get rid of Mary of Magdala because a woman is not worthy of the Way.
Jesus tells them he will give her the authority of a man so that she can be one with them.
Perhaps Pope Francis has read this.
Whatever, he is correct in his appellation of Mary of Magdala.
She was one of the apostles.
- Joy Cowley is a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and retreat facilitator.
News category: Analysis and Comment.Dutch broadcaster RTL said it would stop airing the show while it investigates with producers ITV over allegations of ‘sexually inappropriate behaviour’ and ‘abuse of power’, according to a statement released. by RTL this weekend.
Among those charged is “The Voice” bandleader Jeroen Rietbergen, who resigned and apologized.
RTL, a CNN affiliate, said it learned of the allegations about “The Voice of Holland” on January 12 from Dutch TV news program BOOS. RTL said it was previously unaware of any allegations of misconduct.
“We take this very seriously. Participants, colleagues, everyone must be able to work safely. There is no room for interpretation in this. The priority now is to put the facts on the table”, the Saturday statement added.
BOOS said in a statement that it received articles in the spring of 2021 about sexually inappropriate behavior at “The Voice of Holland”.
BOOS host Tim Hofman then made an open call, in which he asked if there were anyone else who had experienced “anything inappropriate at talent shows.”
“Many reactions followed from people who said they had experienced or witnessed abuse of power or sexually inappropriate behavior at ‘The Voice,'” the BOOS statement read.
Those accused of misconduct were approached by BOOS, the show said. One of them was Rietbergen.
In a statement reported by RTL, Rietbergen said: “During my years of involvement with ‘The Voice of Holland’, I had contact of a sexual nature with some women involved in the program and exchanged WhatsApp messages of sexual color.
“My involvement with ‘The Voice of Holland’ was as a pianist and conductor. In my opinion there was no position of power at the time, in my position I am not able favor anyone in the program, I’m only concerned with the music. I saw the contacts as reciprocal and equal.”
Rietbergen added: “In the meantime, I have realized that my own perception is not at all relevant, but much more the perception of the women concerned. And that these women may have experienced this very differently. This idea made me realize that my behavior was completely wrong. The things I’ve done, I should never have done.
Rietbergen, who said he received professional help, said he had “radically and permanently” changed his behavior. He said he would immediately stop working on the show.
BOOS added that the allegations relate to Rietbergen, as well as “several people within the program”.
ITV Studios said in a statement to CNN on Tuesday: “Our top priority is to provide a safe and supportive environment for all who participate in or work on our shows and there is zero tolerance at ITV Studios for the type of behavior alleged to have occurred. took place.”
On Monday, Dutch Justice Minister Dilan Yeilgz-Zegerius urged anyone who has been bullied or sexually abused to file a complaint so that the police and prosecutors can open an investigation. The Public Prosecutor’s Office is responsible for investigating and prosecuting criminal offences.
The Dutch reality singing competition sparked the show’s original format in 2010, where judges sit with their chairs facing the stage, so they initially cannot see potential contestants.
If the judges like the sound of a contestant’s voice, they must press their button, which causes their chair to spin toward the stage to reveal the contestant behind the blind audition.
The series has since iterated in countries including the UK, US and Australia, where previous trainers include global artists such as will.i.am, Kylie Minogue, Ariana Grande and John Legend.
A program on sexual misconduct at “The Voice of Holland” is scheduled to air on Thursday, BOOS added.
2/ https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/18/entertainment/the-voice-holland-sexual-misconduct-intl-scli/index.html
Honey,
Its great to talk to you today honey. I wouldn't know what exactly you want in a relationship,but i guess the most important thing is being honest with each other.Though i feel reluctant discussing about myself and my current situation to you,because i don't know how you'll feel.But i guess its important that you know all about me and the current status i am in,so that we'll know if we are to move further.I have had loads of bad experiences in my past relationship which i had told you some of it and i wouldn't want to fall into the same situation anymore. I'm still counting on you, as a respected and honest person with sincerity, trust and confidentiality.I will like you to give me your words that you'll treat me right,if we are ever going to be together.I am telling you all this, then you can decide if you still want to meet me or not, so that we will not waste each others time(I know you love me so much honey and i love you too).
My dad died some years ago which i told you honey and my mum too. Before my father died,he deposited some large amount of money and luggages in a security/insurance freight company here in England in other to safe he's willed asset for me.But i have to have a fiance before i can have access to those funds and Ive been trying my best to make things work honey.That's why i need to be sure of whoever i am to date,because i wouldn't like to be used honey, and am so sure that you love me.
I don't want to fall into another terrible situation again after all these that I have gone through and I am not ready to be used this time. I need to be very very careful of whom i will go out with or date. I will need some words from you, which will prove to me about your interest in me and what exactly you want out of our relationship. I am very eager to be with you now honey, since i would be coming back to the STATES as soon as you want me to, provided you will treat me with love and care.
Well, let me hang on here till I hear from you. I hope you will understand my situation at this time and I hope you will come to my rescue and be of whom i expect you to be. I really need to be loved because i deserve it.I need you always be there for me, i want you to be like a father and husband to me,i will reciprocate true LOVE as well. Honey am feeling so sleepy right now, i hope to read from you soon.
Hugs and kisses
I still love you honey,
Wilda H.
Letter 2
How are you doing my love? It would be great to meet up with you in the UNITED STATES. I want you to have my words as i promise i wouldn't disappoint you,i will really appreciate your assistance towards this..Once i am with you, we will arrange things in order and we can start a new life together.I know you wouldn't not