After completing her doctorate at harvard university she participated with an international team of scholars to edit, translate, and publish several of these. 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 work the gnostic gospels, now reflects on what matters most about spiritual and religious exploration in the 21st century. The secret gospel of thomas vintage reprint by pagels, elaine isbn. Truth and fiction in the da vinci code by professor bart d. Pagels is also the author of adam, eve and the serpent 1988, the origin of satan 1995, beyond belief. She is the author of several books, including reading judas. Paul declared that christians were struggling with the powers of darkness and not with common flesh and blood, he was expressing an essentially cosmic attitude. Book of revelation as well as the gnostic gospels, the origin of. 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. 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. 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 awardand the new york times. Her other books include the origin of satan 1995, beyond belief.
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. Pagels presents decent analysis of the gnostic movement, and places the gospel of john within the gnostic context, yet fails to deliver much on the gospel of thomas. The gospel of judas and the shaping of christianity, the new york times bestseller beyond belief. The secret gospel of thomas, and the more about elaine pagels.
In elaine pagels beyond belief, richard holloway discovers that a lost. The secret gospel of thomas, the origin of satan, adam, eve and the serpent, and reading judas. In the spring of the year 367, the bishop of alexandria in egypt wrote a famous letter to his flock. Pagels bares her soul in this book, and her passion for spirituality, religion and christianity shines. Christian scriptures and the battles over authentication by professor bart d. Beyond belief portrays the rich and beautiful heritage that was lost when champions of religious orthodoxy turned on many of their fellow christians and declared them heretics. Her subsequent bestselling books include beyond belief.
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 villager in nag hammadi, northern egypt, in 1948. When her infant son was diagnosed with fatal pulmonary hypertension, awardwinning author elaine pagels was moved to explore her faith. This bold new book explores how christianity began by tracing its. Spurred on by personal tragedy and new scholarship from an inter. The gnostic gospels won both the national book critics circle award and the national book award and was chosen by the modern library as one of the 100 best books of the 20th century. If one or more works are by a distinct, homonymous authors, go ahead and split the author. Pagels, a writer and thinker on religion and history, winner of the. New books on christianity and spirituality by pagels, ehrman, et al. Known for her work in translating the nag hammadi library, she joined the princeton faculty in 1982. The gospel of judas and the shaping of christianity 2007, and revelations. For discussion and references on how johns gospel, as well as the others, portrays the jews, see elaine pagels, the origin of satan new york. 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. Beyond unbelief a critical response to elaine pagels.
Elaine pagels books list of books by author elaine pagels. A new account of the origins of christianity, that brilliantly summarized the ancient and rambling nag hammadi texts, which describe the teachings of jesus as captured by early christian writers. The gnostic gospels won the national book critics circle award and the national book award in 1980. Hammadi this extensive polemic was the chief source of information. She is the harrington spear paine professor of religion at princeton university. This book has little to do with the satan the being, and instead focuses on christianitys evolving idea of good vs evil. This luminous and accessible history of early christian thought offers profound. 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. Elaine pagels joined the princeton faculty in 1982, shortly after receiving a macarthur fellowship. 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. 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 awardand the new york times bestseller beyond belief. Elaine pagels is an exceptionally engaging writer with a talent for locating and explaining hidden wisdom. Also by elaine pagels the origin of satan adam, eve, and the serpent the gnostic gospels the gnostic paul.
Elaine pagels, nee hiesey born february, 1943, is an american religious historian. Elaine pagels is currently considered a single author. Pagels has conducted extensive research into early christianity and gnosticism. Visions, prophecy, and politics in the book of revelation, viking penguin, new york, 2012. 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. She is the author of the new york times bestselling beyond belief. A fine thematic introduction to gnosticism, concentrating on the texts discovered at nag hammadi upper egypt in 1945. Visions, prophecy, and politics in the book of revelation 2012. For discussion and references on how johns gospel, as well as the others, portrays the jews, see elaine pagels, the origin of satan new york, 1995, especially 89111, and the references cited there. Perhaps best known as the author of the gnostic gospels, the origin of satan, and adam, eve and the serpent, she has published widely on gnosticism and early christianity, and continues to pursue research interests in late antiquity. Find all the books, read about the author, and more.
Beyond belief 2003 by elaine pagels tells of the rise and fall of the gospel of thomas, one of the dozens of gospels that did not make it into the bible. In beyond belief, renowned religion scholar elaine pagels continues her groundbreaking examination of the earliest christian texts, arguing for an ongoing. In 1981 she was awarded a macarthur prize fellowship. This book explores how christianity began by tracing its earliest texts, including the gospel of thomas, rediscovered in egypt in 1945. 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. Elaine pagels has continued to research and write about the theological shifts and battles within earlier christianity. About elaine pagels elaine pagels is best known for research and publication involving a cache of over fifty ancient greek texts discovered translated into coptic in upper egypt in 1945. In this book, pagels outlines her notion in five stages. She is currently the harrington spear paine professor of religion at princeton university, and she.
Beyond belief on apple books apple books apple apple. When pagels, author of groundbreaking studies of the gnostic gospels, was asked, why religion. Dec 21, 2018 elaine pagels discusses her book, why religion. While studying for a doctoral degree at harvard university, she married the physicist heinz pagels. See all books authored by elaine pagels, including the gnostic gospels, and beyond belief. Visions, prophecy, and politics in the book of revelation, viking penguin, new york, 2012 reading judas. Her bestselling book the gnostic gospels 1979 examines the divisions in the early christian. When pagels, author of groundbreaking studies of the gnostic gospels, was. Elaine hiesey studied at stanford university, receiving a b. 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. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The secret gospel of thomas 2003, and why religion a personal story 2018. The result is pagels is a recognized scholar of religion, and the author of the gnostic gospels, among others. Gnosticism gave a higher place in theology to knowledge, and held that it should at least share the same pew with belief.
Her notable books included the gnostic gospels 1979, the origin of satan 1995, beyond belief. 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. Elaine pagels biblical scholar, expert in gnosticism. 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. In the late 100s, as pagels tells it, the two main gospels were those of thomas and john. Elaine pagels burst the myth of the early christian church as a unified movement in her 1979 book the gnostic gospels, which won both the national book critics circle award and the national book award, and was chosen by the modern library as one of the 100 best books of the 20th century. Mar 06, 2012 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.
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. In beyond belief, her spiritual journey becomes a springboard for an intellectual and professional reexamination of early christian faith. Her book, the origin of satan, published in 1995, is dedicated to her two children, david and sarah, and in 1995 pagels married kent greenawalt, a law professor at columbia university. Controversial and thoughtprovoking, this international bestseller. Jan 01, 2003 while i enjoyed beyond belief, both the content and dr. In beyond belief, renowned religion scholar elaine pagels continues her. 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. I not only recommend beyond belief, i recommend all of elaine pagels books. Elaine pagels s gnostic gospels, which won the national book critics circle award and the.
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. She brings her considerable competence to bear on the subject without overwhelming the reader with. 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. 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. Mar 15, 2012 elaine pagels burst the myth of the early christian church as a unified movement in her 1979 book the gnostic gospels, which won both the national book critics circle award and the national book award, and was chosen by the modern library as one of the 100 best books of the 20th century. This bold new book explores how christianity began by tracing its earliest texts, including the secret gospel of thomas, rediscovered in egypt in 1945. A startling exploration of the history of the most controversial book of the bible, by the bestselling author of 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. Elaine pagels is the harrington spear paine foundation professor of religion at princeton university. Pagels teaches the history of religion at barnard, and she has spent practically all of her young academic life working with the nag hammadi manuscripts in one way or another.
The book also refers back to the authors prior book on gnosticism. The secret gospel of thomas by elaine pagels 241pp, macmillan. The 16page gospel of thomas itself is at the back of the book. The gospel of judas and the shaping of christianity, co authored with karen king, viking penguin, new york, 2007.
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