The book of the law is published by samuel weiser airlift book co, 0208804 0400. If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. In these days of deep belief only in science, attempts to discuss other kinds of belief from a rational platform is sure to be met with cynicism from a large section of the socalled intellectual society who are prejudiced by their belief in science. Elaine pagels is harrington spear paine professor of religion at princeton university and the author of six previous books, including the gnostic gospels winner of the national book critics circle award and the national book award and the new york times bestseller. What do they reveal about pagelss own struggles with some aspects of traditional christian beliefs.
Elaine pagels is a distinguished professor of religion at princeton and says yes. In beyond belief she offers a more focused if in some respects less comprehensive study suitable for the same audience. 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. Why has elaine pagels chosen beyond belief as her title.
Small name on the front free endpaper, near fine in a near fine dust jacket. She reveals in the first chapter of this 2003 book how. Irenaeus, the canon of truth, and the battle against gnosticism. Jon meacham, author of the soul of america 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 secret gospel of thomas vintage reprint by pagels, elaine isbn. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders.
Here she draws on the perspectives of neurologists, anthropologists, and historians in a provocative look at the role religion plays in suffering. The secret gospel of thomas 2003, and why religion. The struggle to define christianity during the last days of rome 2000. The secret gospel of thomas random house, 2003 in a book certain to become a another classic, pagels returns to the themes she first introduced two decades ago in her landmake study, the gnostic gospels. This also gives my listeners an opportunity to experience provocative films, documentaries and original interviews, which are featured on gaiam tv. This innovative film explores the role of beliefs and the power of the subconscious mind in creating your. The story of ian brady and myra hindley new ed by emlyn williams isbn. In beyond belief, renowned religion scholar elaine pagels continues her groundbreaking examination of the earliest christian texts, arguing for an ongoing. By elaine pagels june 15, 2003 on a bright sunday morning in february, shivering in a tshirt and running shorts, i stepped into the vaulted stone vestibule of. 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. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
This is a powerful book about the most powerful of forces. 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. The gospel of judas and the shaping of christianity. 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. The gospel of judas and the shaping of christianity, the new york times bestseller beyond belief.
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. She is currently the harrington spear paine professor of religion at princeton university, and she. The secret gospel of thomas, is about a religious text that is little known the secret gospel of. The secret gospel of thomas, is just out in paperback. Embark on a journey of expanded awareness beyond belief. The secret gospel of thomas by elaine pagels, first published in 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. 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. This book is a history of christianity between about 250 c. In the spring of the year 367, the bishop of alexandria in egypt wrote a famous letter to his flock. For what is she searching, as both a scholar and a. I had a hard time deciding which section it should go into. Truth and fiction in the da vinci code by professor bart d. In her 2003 book beyond belief, pagels wrote about the thomas gospel, a series of sayings believed to be jesuss secret teachings.
Religious scholar elaine pagels talks about the gospel of thomas and middle east energy expert youssef m. Pagels begins each chapter with a personal reflection. Its about a religious text that is little known the secret. Firstly it aims to critically examine the fundamentalist approach to christianity and highlight its many logical, philosophical and ethical problems. Reviewed by richard woods, dominican university, river forest, il 60305.
Sex and politics in early christianity,the gnostic paul. 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. Beyond unbelief a critical response to elaine pagels. Elaine pagels looks to her own life to help address these questions. 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. It provides by far the clearest understanding of gnosticism and its contrast with christianity i have ever seen. Theological seminary in kentucky and author of the paul quest and numerous other books. In this book, pagels outlines her notion in five stages. I only hope readers will be able to get beyond the personal nature of the exchange. Kings brilliant new translation, elaine pagels and king provide the. Elaine pagels, a professor of religion at princeton, is the author of the bestselling beyond belief and the gnostic gospels. Gnostic gospels by elaine pagels, first edition abebooks.
A chronicle of murder and its detection, a 1967 book by emlyn williams. She is the author of several books, including reading judas. The american press and the coming of the holocaust, 19331945 1993 by deborah lipstadt. 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. This is unfortunate because otherwise there are many things to admire about the book, including the scholarship it represents and the questions it raises. In fact it asks questions exactly on the mark for part i. 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. Visions, prophecy, and politics in the book of revelation,adam, eve, and the serpent. Apr 02, 2018 madhu pandit dasa articles comments off on belief and beyond 16. The secret gospel of thomas, and the gnostic gospels, winner of the national book critics circle award and the national book award. Provocative, beautifully written, and moving, beyond belief, the most personal of pagels s books to date, shows how the impulse to seek god overflows the narrow banks of a single tradition. In a time when there is so much idiocy, this book represents the height of intelligence, not only of mind but of heart.
Spurred on by personal tragedy and new scholarship from an international group of. Elaine pagels joined the princeton faculty in 1982, shortly after receiving a macarthur fellowship. Christian scriptures and the battles over authentication by professor bart d. A buddhist critique of fundamentalist christianity by a. 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.
Islamic excursions among the converted peoples, a 1998 book by v. From the national book awardwinning author of the gnostic gospels comes a raw and deeply personal exploration of faith. Elaine pagels a startling exploration of the history of the most controversial book of the bible, by the bestselling author of beyond belief. This book explores how christianity began by tracing its earliest texts, including the gospel of thomas, rediscovered in egypt in 1945. Beyond belief makes an excellent precursor to richard e. Elaine pagels is an exceptionally engaging writer with a talent for locating and explaining hidden wisdom. Elaine pagels national endowment for the humanities neh. In beyond belief, renowned religion scholar elaine pagels continues her groundbreaking. With the tragic deaths of her young son and husband, pagels faced unimaginable loss.
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. These questions took on a new urgency for pagels when dealing with unimaginable lossthe death of her young son, followed a year later by. About beyond belief 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, is about a littleknown religious text that was rediscovered in egypt in 1945. Why religion a personal story hardcover macs backs. These are two of many books on the extracanonical gospel of thomas that have appeared just within the last year, both authored by scholars who have dedicated much of their career to studying the texts discovered in 1947 at nag hammadi in egypt. Elaine pagels, american educator and scholar of the origins of christianity. 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. In elaine pagels beyond belief, richard holloway discovers that a lost gospel could have added another dimension to the bible.
Elaine pagels and ben witherington iii on jesus and paul beliefnet. 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 secret gospel of thomas by elaine pagels at indigo. The gnostic gospels modern library 100 best nonfiction books. Beyond belief with george noory on friday december 14, 2012, gaiam will premiere beyond belief with george noory, a new weekly tv show exploring the unknown, and mysteries of the universe. Are the gnostic gospels valuable resources that tell us secret things about jesus that were repressed by the church. Megatherion is published by creation books turnaround, 0208829 3000. Internationally and deservedly famous for her 1979 survey of christian apocryphal literature the gnostic gospels, pagels introduced a new generation of students and general readers to. Online shopping from a great selection at books store.
1531 1246 1298 229 1076 677 845 891 204 495 1322 1213 1536 860 685 77 477 583 1414 718 849 631 705 24 525 1529 1410 975 1441 779 869 1173 678 471 160 448 1217 716