April D. De Conick

April D. De Conick is an academic specializing in New Testament and Early Christianity. Holding a professorship at Rice University, her scholarly pursuits delve into early Jewish and Christian thought, with a particular emphasis on non-canonical gospels and Gnostic literature. Her research often challenges conventional interpretations, notably concerning the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Judas.

De Conick's academic background includes a PhD from the University of Michigan, where her doctoral work focused on the Gospel of Thomas, proposing it originated from mystic Christians associated with Jerusalem's Jewish Christian tradition. This perspective reframed the text as representing early orthodox mysticism rather than Gnosticism. Her career has involved significant contributions to the study of Gnosticism, early Christian mysticism, and new religious movements. She has also founded academic journals and organized scholarly groups dedicated to these fields.

April D. De Conick is widely recognized for her extensive work on the Gospel of Thomas. Her doctoral research proposed a reinterpretation of this text, suggesting it was penned by early second-century Christian mystics connected to the Jewish Christian lineage in Jerusalem. This viewpoint posited the Gospel of Thomas as a reflection of early orthodox mysticism, diverging from traditional Gnostic attributions. Her scholarship has significantly influenced the academic understanding of this gospel, emphasizing its mystical dimensions within early Christianity.

De Conick has also made significant contributions to the understanding of the Gospel of Judas, a Gnostic text rediscovered in 2006. She gained prominence for critically examining the initial interpretations of this gospel, particularly those presented by National Geographic. De Conick argued against the notion of a 'good' Judas, proposing instead that the text functions as a parody, portraying a 'demon' Judas and originating from a specific Gnostic Christian group known as the Sethians. Her analysis was published in prominent outlets and her book, 'The Thirteenth Apostle,' further elaborated on her perspective.

Beyond her specific textual studies, De Conick has played a key role in fostering academic discourse on mysticism, esotericism, and Gnosticism. She founded and serves as the executive editor of 'Gnosis: Journal of Gnostic Studies' and is an editor for the 'Nag Hammadi and Manichaean Studies' monograph series. She also established and chaired the 'Mysticism, Esotericism and Gnosticism in Antiquity Section' within the Society of Biblical Literature, demonstrating her commitment to advancing scholarship in these specialized areas of early religious thought.