Date of Award

Spring 2026

Document Type

Distinction Paper

Degree Name

Psychology-BA

Department

Religion & Philosophy

Advisor

Abigail Kulisz

First Committee Member

Katie Wissman

Second Committee Member

Amy Johnson

Keywords

Psychoanalysis, Gospel of Thomas, Carl Jung, Psychology, Religion, Apocryphal Gospel, Psychological Theory, Nag Hammadi Library

Subject Categories

Biblical Studies | Christianity | Clinical Psychology | Cognition and Perception | Higher Education | Metaphysics | Philosophy of Mind | Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion | Theory and Philosophy | Transpersonal Psychology

Abstract

The research performed seeks to provide proper and sufficient evidence of the existence of Jungian qualities within the apostle Thomas’ gospel, as well as the divine qualities of psychology, psychoanalysis, and self-understanding. The Gospel of Thomas tackles issues of the self, and contrary to the canonical gospels, puts immense emphasis and responsibility on the human as an individual in the universe, and displays an image of salvation rooted in increasing one’s understanding of their psyche. Thomas’ gospel also touches on salvation by means of changing one’s sex, which allows for discussion of the much larger concept of gender-nonconformity within the history of Christianity. Understanding the Gospel of Thomas allows us as knowledge seekers to peer into ancient understandings of the self, and to gain knowledge on how people within antiquity viewed their autonomy and consciousness. Through seeing how ancient humans once lived and thought, we are able to gain a deeper appreciation of ourselves in the modern day. Evidence of the gospel’s psychological qualities is sourced by means of reading Thomas’ account in conjunction with the works of Jung and Freud, as well as other contemporaries within the fields of psychoanalysis and self-understanding. Furthermore, texts that share qualities and that parallel the Gospel of Thomas will be considered, be they psychological, philosophical, or religious. Additionally, sources that give proper background knowledge of gender-nonconformity during antiquity will be used as evidence to support the relevancy of the claims made within the gospel.

Licensing Permission

Copyright, all rights reserved. Fair Use

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