The secret gospel of thomas kindle edition by pagels, elaine. In the gnostic gospels and beyond belief, you write about. The gospel of judas and the shaping of christianity, co authored with karen king, viking penguin, new york, 2007. Pagels has conducted extensive research into early christianity and gnosticism. 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. In this book, pagels outlines her notion in five stages. Pagels s writing style, i was somewhat disappointed in the lack of analysis of the gospel of thomas. The secret gospel of thomas 2003, a work of christian nonfiction by elaine pagels, explores the earliest christian texts to uncover how christianity took shape. Elaine pagels karen kings gospel of mary of magdala is a book that many readers are waiting for a complete translation of the gospel of mary together with a lucidly written, marvelously informative discussion of where it comes from and what it means. Beyond belief ebook by jenna miscavige hill rakuten kobo. Elaine pagels books list of books by author elaine pagels.
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. As one of the worlds foremost religion scholars, she has. As opposed to the gospel of john, which asserted that jesus was an eternally existing aspect of god who came to earth to save humankind, the secret gospel of thomas agrees that jesus was in some sense divine, but says that a streak of divinity can be found in all. Elaine pagels is an intense investigative scholar who minutely examines early christian texts, searching for an ongoing assessment of faith, while able to question religious orthodoxy. A startling exploration of the history of the most controversial book of the bible, by the bestselling author of beyond belief. Elaine pagels joined the princeton faculty in 1982, shortly after receiving a macarthur fellowship. In the waning days of the roman empire, militant jews in jerusalem had waged anallout war against romes occupation of judea, and their defeat resulted in the desecration of the great temple in jerusalem. 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. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading beyond belief. Elaine pagels is a scholar of religious history who holds advanced degrees from top universities and has a wide reputation for pioneering research on early christianity. When her infant son was diagnosed with fatal pulmonary hypertension, awardwinning author elaine pagels was moved to explore her faith.
The result is pagels is a recognized scholar of religion, and the author of the gnostic gospels, among others. Nov 12, 1979 the gnostic gospels is a landmark study of the longburied roots of christianity, a work of luminous scholarship and wide popular appeal. Elaine pagels, professor of religion at princeton university, became famous well, at least well known with the publication of her book, the gnostic gospels. She is the harrington spear paine professor of religion at princeton university. 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. Elaine pagels, nee hiesey born february, 1943, is an american religious historian. The secret gospel of thomas vintage reprint by pagels, elaine isbn. These represent 52 texts of gnostic works, such as the gospel of thomas, the gospel of philip, the gospel of truth, and so on. Read reading judas the gospel of judas and the shaping of christianity by elaine pagels available from rakuten kobo.
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. It is a rational, coherent, respectful and gentle contemplation on faith and belief supported by a deep insight into what it is to be human. The phrase a single one in thomas translates from the original. The heresy that saved a skeptic the new york times. Elaine pagels one of pws best books of the yearone of amazons best books of the monthwhy is religion still around in the twentyfirst century. The secret gospel of thomas, is just out in paperback. Beyond belief is supposedly focused on the gospel of thomas. Truth and fiction in the da vinci code by professor bart d. Her bestselling book the gnostic gospels examines the divisions in the early christian church, and the way that women have been viewed throughout jewish history and christian history. She brings her considerable competence to bear on the subject without overwhelming the reader with. Elaine pagels born 1943 is professor of religion at princeton university. If you have already read beyond belief then you may find that this lecture provides even more detailed insights from elaine pagels on the gospel of thomas and its relation to other gospels.
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. A profound exploration of the bibles most controversial book from the author of beyond belief and the gnostic gospels the strangest book of the new testament. 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. A fine thematic introduction to gnosticism, concentrating on the texts discovered at nag hammadi upper egypt in 1945. 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. This bold new book explores how christianity began by tracing its earliest texts, including the secret gospel of thomas, rediscovered in egypt in 1945. Elaine pagels explores the surprising history of the most controversial book of the bible. Elaine pagels is a distinguished professor of religion at princeton and says yes. 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. As for the gospel of thomas, we dont know if that was the original. Pagels reveals the various diversity of many interpretations. 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. 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. In this compelling, honest, and learned memoir, elaine pagels, takes us inside her own life in a stirring and illuminating effort to explain religions enduring appeal.
Shes also a mother who lost a 6yearold son to a rare lung disease a wrenching tragedy that. With characteristic intelligence and wisdom, elaine pagels. First published in 1979 to critical acclaim, winning the national book award and the national book critics circle award, the gnostic gospels has continued to grow in reputation and influence over the past two decades. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Visions, prophecy, and politics in the book of revelation, viking penguin, new york, 2012 reading judas.
The church fathers did not like thomas ideas, and attempted to suppress his gospel as heretical. Pagels spends just as much tie in other gnostic writings. Beyond belief beyond belief audiobook, by elaine pagels. 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. Pagels believes that thomas words lead to a more open, welcoming, and equitable kind of christianity. 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. As the niece of the church of scientologys leader david miscavige, she grew up at the center of this highly controversial and powerful organization. Pagels, a writer and thinker on religion and history, winner of the. If beyond belief is at odds with conservative theological certainties, it nonetheless speaks to jesus humanity, and to our own. Elaine pagels quotes author of the gnostic gospels. See all books authored by elaine pagels, including the gnostic gospels, and 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. This is a powerful book about the most powerful of forces. Pagels has been called one of the worlds most important writers and thinkers on religion and history.
As a young scholar, elaine pagels breathed new life into the dusty. Controversial and thoughtprovoking, this international bestseller. 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. Jul 09, 2004 the book of the law is published by samuel weiser airlift book co, 0208804 0400. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. This is a lecture about the gospel of thomas and elaine pagels spends considerable time after her talk answering many questions from the live audience. New books on christianity and spirituality by pagels, ehrman, et al.
The secret gospel of thomas by elaine pagels about the book 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. Biblical scholar and author elaine pagels talked with bill moyers about her new book, beyond belief. 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 work the gnostic gospels, now reflects on what matters most about spiritual and religious exploration in the twentyfirst century. 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 twentyfirst century. In june, elaine pagels will publish a new book, the origin of satan. In the spring of the year 367, the bishop of alexandria in egypt wrote a famous letter to his flock. And when we see jesus earliest followers, including peter, james, and paul, not as we usually see them, as early christians, but as they saw themselvesas jews who had found gods messiah. Elaine pagels selected by the modern library as one of the 100 best nonfiction books of all time a provocative study of the gnostic gospels and the world of early christianity as revealed through the nag hammadi texts. 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. Pagels bares her soul in this book, and her passion for spirituality, religion and christianity shines. Her other books include the origin of satan 1995, beyond belief. She believed that the rogue voices of christianity encouraged the.
Read beyond belief my secret life inside scientology and my harrowing escape by jenna miscavige hill available from rakuten kobo. This bold new book explores how christianity began by tracing its. Pagels aims to show that there is more to christianity than rigorously upholding one set of beliefs. Mar 09, 2004 elaine pagels argues that this need to define belief is not the product of a scientific and sceptical age, but rather of a longstanding drive within the churches to confine religious sentiment in. Elaine pagels does a very nice job of describing the historical in december, 1945, an arab peasant discovered ancient documents near the town of nag hammadi.
Are the gnostic gospels valuable resources that tell us secret things about jesus that were repressed by the church. Jenna miscavige hill, niece of church of scientology leader david miscavige, was raised as a scientologist but left the. 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. 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. Her bestselling book the gnostic gospels 1979 examines the divisions in. Spurred on by personal tragedy and new scholarship from an international group of. Spurred on by personal tragedy and new scholarship from an international group of researchers. The secret gospel of thomas by elaine pagels, first published in 2004. When john accuses evildoers of leading gullible people into sin, what troubles him is what troubled the essenes. It provides by far the clearest understanding of gnosticism and its contrast with christianity i have ever seen. Elaine pagelss gnostic gospels, which won the national book critics circle award and the.
The instant new york times bestseller interpreting the controversial longlost gospel the recently unearthed gospel of j. Elaine pagelss gnostic gospels, which won the national book critics circle award and the national book award in 1980, introduced the general public to the discovery in 1945 at nag hammadi in egypt of an extraordinary cache of ancient papyrus books. Beyond belief is a gem of a book and ideal for anybody who is thinking about what religion and spirituality might have to offer them. Irenaeus, the canon of truth, and the battle against gnosticism. Shortly after elaine pagels twoandhalf yearold son. This bold new book explores how christianity began by tracing its earliest texts, including the secret gospel of thomas. Islamic excursions among the converted peoples, a 1998 book by v. This is unfortunate because otherwise there are many things to admire about the book, including the scholarship it represents and the questions it raises. 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. Although pagels does deal with thomas, it is far from a study just in that text. In beyond belief, renowned religion scholar, elaine pagels not an evangelical continues her ground breaking examination of the earliest christian texts, arguing for an ongoing assessment of faith and a questioning of religious orthodoxy.
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. In beyond belief, her spiritual journey becomes a springboard. Megatherion is published by creation books turnaround, 0208829 3000. One of the most well known authors in this area is elaine pagels. Reviewed by richard woods, dominican university, river forest, il 60305. Interview with elaine pagels, professor of religion at princeton university and renowned biblical scholar whose book, beyond belief. Characteristically brief and lucid, it is an attempt to describe the evolving shape of the devil in the sacred judeo. Jan 01, 2003 while i enjoyed beyond belief, both the content and dr. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. Christian scriptures and the battles over authentication by professor bart d. Beyond belief audiobook by elaine pagels, read by cassandra. It is an amazing testimony to pagelss ability to turn relatively obscure information about esoteric. The secret gospel of thomas, which explores the discussion and debate between followers of.
In beyond belief, her spiritual journey becomes a springboard for an intellectual and professional reexamination of early christian faith. The secret gospel of thomas by elaine pagels at indigo. The secret gospel of thomas by elaine pagels 241pp, macmillan. And how do various traditions still shape the way people experience everything.
This bold new book explores how christianity began by tracing its earliest texts, including the secret. Sex and politics in early christianity,the gnostic paul. Elaine pagels is an exceptionally engaging writer with a talent for locating and explaining hidden wisdom. Beyond belief owning the book rebellion dogs publishing. See more ideas about early christian, this or that questions and the stranger 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. Spurred by personal tragedy, elaine pagels turns to a consideration of the gnostic gospels, in particular, the gospel of thomas. Visions, prophecy, and politics in the book of revelation, adam, eve, and the serpent. Beyond unbelief a critical response to elaine pagels. The american press and the coming of the holocaust, 19331945 1993 by deborah lipstadt beyond belief.