Presumably he was at least half joking, but the fact that he could say the words suggests the degree to which the subject of beyond belief veers away from what would become the christian tradition. Download in beyond belief, renowned religion scholar elaine pagels continues her groundbreaking examination of the earliest. This book explores how christianity began by tracing its. Elaine pagels, the secret gospel of thomas her latest book, beyond belief. The secret gospel of thomas e laine pagels, professor of religion at princeton university, became famous well, at least well known with the publication of her book, the gnostic gospels, in she has written several other books as well on the history of christianity, establishing her as the foremost popular scholar in the field. Elaine pagels on the book of revelation february 24. 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. Spurred on by personal tragedy and new scholarship from an international group of researchers, pagels returns to her investigation of the secret gospel of. Pagels s writing style, i was somewhat disappointed in the lack of analysis of the gospel of thomas. Jan 01, 2003 while i enjoyed beyond belief, both the content and dr. In the spring of the year 367, the bishop of alexandria in egypt wrote a famous letter to his flock. In beyond belief, renowned religion scholar elaine pagels continues her. Elaine pagelss gnostic gospels, which won the national book critics circle award and the.
She is the author of several books, including reading judas. 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. Pagels discusses several highly symbolic or metaphorical readings of the bible, such as the secret book of john, in which eve is interpreted as an embodiment of epinoia a creative or inventive consciousness, and the apple as a symbol of higher spiritual knowledge pp. Elaine pagels born 1943 is professor of religion at princeton university. The secret gospel of thomas pagels, best know for her national book awardwinning the gnostic gospels, wrestles with her own. This book explores how christianity began by tracing its earliest texts, including the gospel of thomas, rediscovered in egypt in 1945. Continuing the project she began nearly a quartercentury ago with the gnostic gospels, pagels examines the firstcentury gospel of thomas, discovered with the nag hammadi treasury of early christian writings, with an eye to showing how a given text comes to be sorted into the heretical or canonical pile. She reveals in the first chapter of this 2003 book how.
The secret gospel of thomas by elaine pagels online at alibris. The secret gospel of thomas, is about a littleknown religious text that was rediscovered in egypt in. The secret gospel of thomas 2003, contrasts the gospel of thomas with the gospel of john, and argues that a close reading of the works shows that while the gospel of thomas taught its adherents that there is a light within each person, and it lights up the whole universe if it does not shine. Jul 09, 2004 elaine pagels, the secret gospel of thomas her latest book, beyond belief. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading beyond belief.
The secret gospel of thomas vintage reprint by pagels, elaine isbn. Pagels returns to her investigation of the secret gospel of thomas, and breathes. Pagels 1979 book the gnostic gospels was one of the first works of. Sex and politics in early christianity,the gnostic paul. This book explores how christianity began by tracing its earliest texts, including the secret gospel of thomas, rediscovered in egypt in 1945.
The secret gospel of thomas elaine pagels 9780375703164. The secret gospel of thomas ebook written by elaine pagels. 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. The question isnt often asked today in a neutral tone. Books by elaine pagels author of the gnostic gospels. 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. 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. Its about a religious text that is little known the secret.
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. In this book, pagels outlines her notion in five stages. Elaine pagelss gnostic gospels, which won the national book. The secret gospel of thomas by elaine pagels 241pp, macmillan. 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. May 04, 2004 pagels examines the differences between the gospel of john in the new testament and the secret gospel of thomas, found in nag hammadi in 1947. Shortly after elaine pagels twoandhalf yearold son. What i focus on in this book is how certain christian leaders from. Marvin meyer is one of the leading experts on the secret gospelsgospel of thomas, secret gospel of mark, and otherswho has changed forever how we read the canonical gospels and understand early christianity.
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 secret gospel of thomas 9780375703164 by elaine pagels. The gospel of judas and the shaping of christianity, the new york times bestseller beyond belief. Had i known the gospel of thomas, a buddhist monk once told author elaine pagels, i wouldnt have had to become a buddhist. The secret gospel of thomas, is just out in paperback. Beyond belief by elaine pagels, 9780375703164, download free ebooks, download free pdf epub ebook. Apr 20, 2009 rubbish from the second century that is still rubbish 1 is an apt description of the gnostic views advanced in elaine pagelss beyond belief. Delaware county district library ohio scanned in china. The introduction, discussion questions, suggestions for further reading, and author biography that follow are designed to enhance your groups discussion of beyond belief. The secret gospel of thomas, and the more about elaine pagels. 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. Visions, prophecy, and politics in the book of revelation,adam, eve, and the serpent. 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.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. 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. Beyond belief the secret gospel of thomas by elaine pagels. Random house patterson, stephen j robinson, james m bethge, hansgebhard 1998. Pagels, a writer and thinker on religion and history, winner of the. In beyond belief, her spiritual journey becomes a springboard for an. 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 elaine pagels ebook the gnostic gospels elaine pagels 201801t22. 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, elaine pagelss fascinating exploration of how and why the new testament acquired its present form. This is unfortunate because otherwise there are many things to admire about the book, including the scholarship it represents and the questions it raises. 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. 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 new book, revelations, may not become a bestseller like the gnostic gospels was. Spurred by personal tragedy, elaine pagels turns to a consideration of the gnostic gospels, in particular, the gospel of thomas. Rubbish from the second century that is still rubbish 1 is an apt description of the gnostic views advanced in elaine pagelss beyond belief. Elaine pagels is the harrington spear paine foundation professor of religion at princeton university. Beyond unbelief a critical response to elaine pagels. As she arrives at an everdeeper conviction in her own faith, pagels reveals how faith allows for a diversity of interpretations, and that the rogue voices of christianity encourage and sustain the recognition of the light within us all.
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 secret gospel of thomas ebook 9781400079087 by elaine pagels. Share beyond belief the secret gospel of thomas by elaine pagels. This bold new book explores how christianity began by tracing its earliest texts, including the secret gospel of. 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 twenty. Beyond belief beyond belief audiobook, by elaine pagels. Scholars believe these two texts to be written at the same time, around the first century. Religious scholar elaine pagels her latest book, beyond belief. The secret gospel of thomas kindle edition by pagels, elaine. Apr 10, 2020 share beyond belief the secret gospel of thomas by elaine pagels. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read beyond belief. If you mutter a vague yes, there is always a supplementary.
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