Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. Provocative, beautifully written, and moving, beyond belief, the most personal of pagels s books to date, shows how the impulse to seek god. 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. The heresy that saved a skeptic the new york times. Pagels attempts to trace the history of the formation of the bible in her well researched and meticulously notated book beyond beliefs, and does a fantastic job. Its a brave book, telling the story of the death of her sixyearold son from a long illness, and then her husband in a hiking accident, both in the space of about a year. 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. 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 foundation professor of religion at princeton university.
The secret gospel of thomas pagels, best know for her national book award winner the gnostic gospels. Professor pagels is the author of several books on religious subjects and was awarded a macarthur fellowship in 1981. 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. Elaine pagels audio books, best sellers, author bio. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The book is worthwhile reading for its filled with interesting bits, but it is not a cohesive work. The secret gospel of thomas 1st edition 1st printing hardcover new york random house 2005 near fine in a near fine dust jacket.
The secret gospel of thomas by elaine pagels 20040504 jan 1, 1816. 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 a scholar of religious history who holds advanced degrees from top universities and has a wide reputation for pioneering research on early christianity. A conversation with a friend who is far more religiously astute than i led me to ask him to recommend a book or two about the origins of christianity. In beyond belief, renowned religion scholar elaine pagels continues her. Pagels, a writer and thinker on religion and history, winner of the. Visions, prophecy, and politics in the book of revelation, viking penguin, new york, 2012 reading judas. The secret gospel of thomas, pagels offers, as noted by library journal contributor sandra collins, an historical reinterpretation of johns gospel as the author focuses on the inherent conflicts between this gospel and the gnostic gospel of thomas. As an introductory undergraduate or adult education text, beyond belief could be immensely useful.
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. The gnostic gospels by elaine pagels great pick for 2020. Renowned scholar elaine pagels discusses the role of faith today, the practical. People are drawn to these mysterious books that never made it into the new testament. Truth and fiction in the da vinci code by professor bart d.
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. Her earlier books, the gnostic gospels 1979 and the origin of satan 1995, are. 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. Discover more authors youll love listening to on audible. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of beyond belief. The secret gospel of thomas, is just out in paperback. Spurred on by personal tragedy and new scholarship from an international group of. She is the harrington spear paine professor of religion at princeton university. She is the author of the gnostic gospels, beyond belief, and revelations. We personally assess every books quality and offer rare, outofprint treasures. 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. Why has elaine pagels chosen beyond belief as her title.
Book award winner, and new york times bestselling author elaine pagels was. And how do various traditions still shape the way people experience everything. This book explores how christianity began by tracing its earliest texts, including the gospel of thomas, rediscovered in egypt in 1945. But after reading palmers confessions of an insider regarding the earliest days. Gnosticism gave a higher place in theology to knowledge, and held that it should at least share the same pew with belief. What do they reveal about pagelss own struggles with some aspects of traditional christian beliefs. Browse elaine pagels s bestselling audiobooks and newest titles. Read books for free from anywhere and from any device. Instead, beyond belief focuses on pagels attempt to make christianity more relevant to her own life and in doing so provides a fascinating history of early christianity, a historical perspective that could only be provided by a biblical scholar. Elaine pagels argues that this need to define belief is not the. Controversial and thoughtprovoking, this international bestseller investigates the politics of christianity and how the.
Elaine pagels, one of the worlds foremost scholars of religion, speaks about her groundbreaking work on the jesus of the. 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 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. Elaine pagels s gnostic gospels, which won the national book. In beyond belief, renowned religion scholar elaine pagels continues her groundbreaking examination of the earliest christian texts, arguing for an ongoing. Spurred on by personal tragedy and new scholarship from an international group of researchers. Elaine pagels, the gnostic gospels vintage books, 1979, 1989, and beyond belief, the secret gospel of thomas random house, 2003. One of the most well known authors in this area is elaine pagels. The resulting research led to her bestselling book the gnostic gospels 1979. 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. Thriftbooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices.
Beyond belief is supposedly focused on the gospel of thomas. Pagels has conducted extensive research into early christianity and gnosticism her bestselling book the gnostic gospels 1979 examines the divisions in the early christian church, and the way that women have been viewed. Buy beyond belief underlining and notation by elaine pagels isbn. In beyond belief, her spiritual journey becomes a springboard for an intellectual and professional reexamination of early christian faith. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. The gospel of judas and the shaping of christianity, co authored with karen king, viking penguin, new york, 2007. 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. New books on christianity and spirituality by pagels, ehrman, et al. Shes also a mother who lost a 6yearold son to a rare lung disease a wrenching tragedy that. For supplementary reading i recommend especially two other books by elaine pagels. With characteristic intelligence and wisdom, elaine pagels lays bare her own lifeshattering losses, offering up the possibility that suffering might afford each of us membership in a profoundly connected humanand cosmiccommunity. The result is pagels is a recognized scholar of religion, and the author of the gnostic gospels, among others. The american press and the coming of the holocaust, 19331945 1993 by deborah lipstadt beyond belief.
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. She is the author of several books, including reading judas. The secret gospel of thomas by elaine pagels 241pp, macmillan. Shortly after elaine pagels twoandhalfyearold son was diagnosed with a rare lung disease, the religion professor found herself drawn to a christian church again for the first time in many years. Interview with elaine pagels, professor of religion at princeton university and renowned biblical scholar whose book, beyond belief. The book also refers back to the authors prior book on gnosticism. Controversial and thoughtprovoking, this international bestseller investigates the politics of christianity and how the church crafted a bible and a faith far more stringent than previously thought. I not only recommend beyond belief, i recommend all of elaine pagels books.
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. What do they reveal about pagels s own struggles with some aspects of traditional christian beliefs. See all books authored by elaine pagels, including the gnostic gospels, and beyond belief. Beyond belief, published in by random house, is a sort of sequel to the secret gospels, in that it incorporates the new. Writer, professor, and feminist biblical scholar elaine pagels to.
Christian scriptures and the battles over authentication by professor bart d. The secret gospel of thomas vintage reprint by pagels, elaine isbn. Pagels begins each chapter with a personal reflection. Beyond belief the secret gospel of thomas pagels, elaine on. Beyond belief the secret gospel of thomas by elaine pagels explains some of the reasons why it is difficult for many christians to embrace pluralism or to accept the diversity of belief in the early church. This is a powerful book about the most powerful of forces. Elaine pagels dallas event sells out, but you can still read her. Irenaeus, the canon of truth, and the battle against gnosticism.
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. When her infant son was diagnosed with fatal pulmonary hypertension, awardwinning author elaine pagels was moved to explore her faith. In the spring of the year 367, the bishop of alexandria in egypt wrote a famous letter to his flock. In april 1987, elaine pagels 6yearold son, mark, died from pulmonary. Although pagels does deal with thomas, it is far from a study just in that text. 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. Beyond belief beyond belief audiobook, by elaine pagels. Justin says that believers call baptism illumination, because all who receive it are illuminated in their understanding. Author of the book gnostic gospels, pagels revists the secret gospel of thomas as a method to describe the historical background into the formation of the bible as we see today.
The subject matter, however, requires some prior knowledge of christian gnosticism and a familiarity with the nag hammadi documents. Islamic excursions among the converted peoples, a 1998 book by v. Elaine pagels books list of books by author elaine pagels. 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. Beyond belief audiobook by elaine pagels, read by cassandra. In this book, pagels outlines her notion in five stages. 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. It provides by far the clearest understanding of gnosticism and its contrast with christianity i have ever seen. During the reception, pagels will sign copies of her new york times bestselling book beyond belief. Traditions embodied in judaism and christianity can powerfully affect us in heart, mind, and spirit, inspire visions of a new society based on practicing justice and love, even heal and transform us. 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. Pagels bares her soul in this book, and her passion for spirituality, religion and christianity shines.
The secret gospel of thomas 9780375703164 by pagels, elaine and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. 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. The secret gospel of thomas pagels, best know for her national book awardwinning the gnostic gospels, wrestles with her own faith as she struggles to understand whenand whychristianity became associated almost exclusively with the ideas codified in the fourthcentury nicene creed and in the canonical texts of the new. The secret gospel of thomas by elaine pagels, first published in 2004. Spurred on by personal tragedy and new scholarship from an international group of researchers, pagels returns to her investigation of the secret gospel of.
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