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Gospel of Thomas · 12 of 114 · tr. Thomas O. Lambdin

Logion 12

The disciples said to Jesus, "We know that you will depart from us. Who is to be our leader?" Jesus said to them, "Wherever you are, you are to go to James the righteous, for whose sake heaven and earth came into being."
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Themes
Kingdom Withinanthropology

The claim that the divine realm is present inside the individual, accessible without external mediation.

The passage suggests the divine presence (James) is accessible through spiritual seeking, implying the kingdom exists within the disciples' context.

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Monadcosmology

The absolutely simple, undivided first principle from which all multiplicity and existence flows.

The passage implies James the righteous is the primordial cause of creation, aligning with the monad as the first principle.

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Paradox As Teachingethics

Using apparent contradiction, reversal, or riddle to destabilise ordinary understanding and induce insight.

Attributing the cosmic purpose of creation to a human disciple rather than God alone serves as a paradoxical teaching typical of the text.

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Theosis Deificationsoteriology

The doctrine — central to Eastern Orthodox and Maximian theology — that the human person is progressively transformed into a partaker of the divine nature by grace, not merely justified or united in passing ecstasy.

James is elevated to a cosmic status where the universe exists for his sake, implying a participation in divine purpose or nature.

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Related passages · 6 parallels
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Shared concept: Theosis Deification — The doctrine — central to Eastern Orthodox and Maximian theology — that the human person is progressively transformed into a partaker of the divine nature by grace, not merely justified or united in passing ecstasy. (derived)
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Shared concept: Paradox As Teaching — Using apparent contradiction, reversal, or riddle to destabilise ordinary understanding and induce insight. (derived)