She has written several other books as well on the history of christianity, establishing her as the foremost popular scholar in the field. Book overview in beyond belief, renowned religion scholar elaine pagels continues her groundbreaking examination of the earliest christian texts, arguing for an ongoing assessment of faith and a questioning of religious orthodoxy. Pagels is also the author of adam, eve and the serpent 1988, the origin of satan 1995, beyond belief. Spurred on by personal tragedy and new scholarship from an international group of researchers, pagels returns to her investigation of the secret gospel of thomas, and. Pagels, a writer and thinker on religion and history, winner of the national book award for the gnostic gospels, reflects on what matters most about spiritual and religious exploration in the 21st century. It is true, as pagels argues, that the belief in satan has tempted people to demonize those who are innocent, and has thereby contributed to human sinfulness. Christian scriptures and the battles over authentication by professor bart d.
New books on christianity and spirituality by pagels, ehrman, et al. Elaine pagels, nee elaine hiesey, born february, 1943, palo alto, california, u. Pagels begins each chapter with a personal reflection. Visions, prophecy, and politics in the book of revelation, pagels analyzes other revelations of the time they were common and examines how johns particular version of apocalypse made it into the worlds most popular book. Spurred on by personal tragedy and new scholarship from an international group of researchers, pagels returns to her investigation of the secret gospel of thomas, and breathes new life into writings once thought heretical. Why has elaine pagels chosen beyond belief as her title. Sources and methods for the study of early liturgy cambridge, 1992, 1111. Elaine pagelss gnostic gospels, which won the national book critics circle award and the. On manuscript evidence for the johannine gospel in egypt, see colin h.
The secret gospel of thomas, and the gnostic gospels, winner of the national book critics circle award and the national book award. The secret gospel of thomas 2003, and why religion a personal story 2018. In this groundbreaking book, elaine pagels, princetons distinguished historian of religion, traces the evolution of satan from its origins in the hebrew bible, where satan is at first merely obstructive, to the new testament, where satan becomes the prince of darkness, the bitter enemy of. Special edition including the complete text of the gospel of thomas elaine pagels, one of the worlds most important writers and thinkers on religion and history, and winner of the national book award for her groundbreaking workthe gnostic gospels, now reflects on what matters most about spiritual and religious exploration in the twentyfirst century. This chapter condenses and summarizes research that is presented in a fuller and more technical form as elaine pagels, exegesis of genesis 1 in the gospels of thomas and john, journal of biblical literature 118 1999, 477496. Pagels, a writer and thinker on religion and history, winner of the. In beyond belief, renowned religion scholar elaine pagels continues her groundbreaking examination of the. The gospel of judas and the shaping of christianity 2007, and revelations. Elaine pagels is one scholar who has achieved success by responding with unusual and unorthodox answers. The heresy that saved a skeptic the new york times. Elaine pagels, nee hiesey born february, 1943, is an american religious historian. How christians demonized jews, pagans, and heretics. Who made those decisions, and under what conditions. Beyond belief by elaine pagels, written in 2003, is a small book consisting of only five chapters that seeks to show that what is today considered christian orthodox belief is not validly derived from the teachings of early christianity.
Elaine pagelss most popular book is the gnostic gospels. For what is she searching, as both a scholar and a. Special edition including the complete text of the gospel of thomas elaine pagels, one of the world’s most important writers and thinkers on religion and history, and winner of the national book award for her groundbreaking work the gnostic gospels, now reflects on what matters most about spiritual and religious exploration in the twentyfirst century. Pagels has conducted extensive research into early christianity and gnosticism. The secret gospel of thomas, has become surprise bestseller. Visions, prophecy, and politics in the book of revelation.
Roberts, manuscript, society, and belief in early christian egypt london, 1979. The secret gospel of thomas vintage reprint by elaine pagels isbn. But in his more recent book, koester evaluates justins version of this saying as an early, independently transmitted tradition 361. Elaine pagels books list of books by author elaine pagels. Books by elaine pagels author of the gnostic gospels. In this book, pagels outlines her notion in five stages. Jun 29, 2004 a startling exploration of the history of the most controversial book of the bible, by the bestselling author of beyond belief through the bestselling books of elaine pagels, thousands of readers have come to know and treasure the suppressed biblical texts known as the gnostic gospels. Truth and fiction in the da vinci code by professor bart d. This book explores how christianity began by tracing its earliest texts, including the gospel of thomas, rediscovered in egypt in 1945. At a time when books about angels make the bestseller lists, it is refreshing to have one about the devilif only to remind us that religion is not all sweetness and light.
The secret gospel of thomas, a book that remained for several weeks on bestseller lists when it first appeared in 2003. Exciting discoveries of ancient religious texts especially the 52 texts found at nag hammadi in 1945 are prompting religious historians to rethink the standard account of christian origins. Above all, pagels reminds us vividly that early christianity was a diverse even contentious conglomerate of sometimes rival communities out of which emerged a wide range of memories, traditions, and eventual scriptures. Through the bestselling books of elaine pagels, thousands of readers have come to know and treasure the suppressed biblical texts known as the gnostic gospels. Elaine pagelss gnostic gospels, which won the national book.
A startling exploration of the history of the most controversial book of the bible, by the bestselling author of beyond belief through the bestselling books of elaine pagels, thousands of readers have come to know and treasure the suppressed biblical texts known as the gnostic gospels. Spurred on by personal tragedy and new scholarship from an international group of researchers. The result is pagels is a recognized scholar of religion, and the author of the gnostic gospels, among others. A startling exploration of the history of the most controversial book of the bible, by the bestselling author of beyond belief. June 1, 1995 an nbcc and national book awardwinning scholar of gnosticism and early christianity argues that the concept of satan was central to the way apocalyptic jews and the christian church sawand treatedtheir enemies. Interview with elaine pagels, professor of religion at princeton university and renowned biblical scholar whose book, beyond belief. In this groundbreaking book, elaine pagels, princetons distinguished historian of religion, traces the evolution of satan from its origins in the hebrew bible, where satan is at first merely obstructive, to the new testament, where satan becomes the prince of darkness, the bitter enemy of god and man, evil incarnate. She is the harrington spear paine professor of religion at princeton university. See all books authored by elaine pagels, including the gnostic gospels, and beyond belief. An nbcc and national book awardwinning scholar of gnosticism and early christianity argues that the concept of satan was central to the way apocalyptic jews and the christian church sawand treatedtheir enemies. The secret gospel of thomas, and the more about elaine pagels. The secret gospel of thomas by elaine pagels paperback book at and save. Jun 14, 2003 interview with elaine pagels, professor of religion at princeton university and renowned biblical scholar whose book, beyond belief.
Elaine pagels, one of the worlds most important writers and thinkers on religion and history, and winner of the national book award for her groundbreaking. The secret gospel of thomas by elaine pagels 241pp, macmillan. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. She is the author of several books, including reading judas.
Elaine pagels is an exceptionally engaging writer with a talent for locating and explaining hidden wisdom. The secret gospel of thomas, noted religious historian elaine pagels reflects on the significance of the rich collection of noncanonical gospels and manuscripts discovered by a. Beyond unbelief a critical response to elaine pagels. Pagels bares her soul in this book, and her passion for spirituality, religion and christianity shines. May 04, 2004 in beyond belief, renowned religion scholar elaine pagels continues her groundbreaking examination of the earliest christian texts, arguing for an ongoing assessment of faith and a questioning of religious orthodoxy. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. Beyond belief, published in by random house, is a sort of sequel to the secret gospels, in that it incorporates the new. Elaine pagels, american educator and scholar of the origins of christianity. Her other books include the origin of satan 1995, beyond belief. The gnostic gospelsadam, eve and the serpentthe origins of satan by. Meet extraordinary women who dared to bring gender equality and other issues to the forefront.
Elaine pagels is the harrington spear paine professor of religion at princeton university and the author of reading judas, the gnostic gospelswinner of the national book critics circle award and the national book award and the new york times bestseller beyond belief. In elaine pagels beyond belief, richard holloway discovers that a lost. In the spring of the year 367, the bishop of alexandria in egypt wrote a famous letter to his flock. What do they reveal about pagelss own struggles with some aspects of traditional christian beliefs.
As an introductory undergraduate or adult education text, beyond belief could be immensely useful. In beyond belief, renowned religion scholar elaine pagels continues her. Bradshaws incisive cautionary remarks in the search for the origins of christian worship. Spurred on by personal tragedy and new scholarship from an. In beyond belief, renowned religion scholar elaine pagels continues her groundbreaking examination of the earliest christian texts, arguing for an ongoing assessment of faith and a questioning of religious orthodoxy. The secret gospel of thomas by elaine pagels online at alibris. Her notable books included the gnostic gospels 1979, the origin of satan 1995, beyond belief. But after reading palmers confessions of an insider regarding the earliest days. In this groundbreaking book, elaine pagels, princetons distinguished historian of religion, traces the evolution of satan from its origins in the hebrew bible, where satan is at first merely obstructive, to the new testament, where satan becomes the prince of darkness, the bitter enemy of god. Although the title is a bit deceptive, beyond belief is a readable history of how church orthodoxy evolved from jesus earliest followers in the first century through the 4th century when constantine endorsed christianity as romes official religion. This luminous and accessible history of early christian thought offers profound.
The gospel of judas and the shaping of christianity, the new york times bestseller beyond belief. Elaine pagels is the harrington spear paine professor of religion at princeton university and the author of reading judas, the gnostic gospels winner of the national book critics circle award and the national book awardand the new york times bestseller beyond belief. I resisted beyond belief for months, because i thought i was done with that topic, and was very familiar with the topic of its subtitle, the secret gospel of thomas. Visions, prophecy, and politics in the book of revelation 2012. Why had the church decided that these texts were heretical and that only the canonical gospels were orthodox.