About this title: Pagels, a noted authority of religion, examines what impact Gnosticism could have had on Christianity had it not been labelled heretical by the early church fathers. THE GNOSTIC GOSPELS offers up insights from this obscure branch of Christianity, offering synopses of these documents that purport to reveal new insights into Jesus's life, his relationship with Mary Magdalene, and what might have really happened at the time of the resurrection.
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Littlehampton Book Services (LBS
Date Published: 1980
ISBN-13:9780297777090ISBN:0297777092
Description: Good. The dust cover of this book is missing. However, book in a very good condition **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: WEIDENFELD & NICOLSON
Date Published: 1980
ISBN-13:9780297777090ISBN:0297777092
Description: Published by WEIDENFELD & NICOLSON in 1980, hardback with D/J, tall size, good in good D/W, wear to head & tail of spine. Shipped from UK. Delivery is usually 2-3 working days from order by Royal Mail, International Delivery is by Airmail. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Vintage
Date Published: 1989
ISBN-13:9780679724537ISBN:0679724532
Description: Good. A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact (including dustcover, if applicable). The spine may show signs of wear. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include "from the library of" labels. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Vintage
Date Published: 1989
ISBN-13:9780679724537ISBN:0679724532
Description: Good. A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact (including dustcover, if applicable). The spine may show signs of wear. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include "from the library of" labels. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Vintage
Date Published: 1989-09-19
ISBN-13:9780679724537ISBN:0679724532
Description: Fair. Spine uncreased. Cover has slight wear. Pages tanning, dog-eared throughout. A few pages have underlined text and notes. *Ships Next Business day* read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Date Published: 1980
ISBN-13:9780297777090ISBN:0297777092
Description: 218pp. A very good hardback in dustcover. Name plate to fep. This book helped change that in common parlance, and also served as a basic primer for those new to the field who would then proceed to more in-depth study and analysis. read more
"Pagels is an amazing scholar of the early Christian era. I initially thought that this book was going to be a detailed account of the gnostic gospel texts, but it was really more about why the early Christian fathers chose the books they did to be included in the cannon of scriptures. The gnostic gospel text, Pagels argues, were excluded and deemed heretical because they did not support the establishment of an all-powerful church. A lot of Christians, I'm sure, would have problems with much of what she shows. This book is really a fascinating glimpse into the early Christian era. I was amazed at just how many Christian factions existed. I was also amazed at how "Eastern" much of the gnostic texts sounded...self enlightenment, meditation, etc. It really makes one wonder what would Christianity look like today had some of these gospel texts been included in the cannon?"
"Really fascinating introduction to some recently-rediscovered (1945) early Christian texts that didn't make the cut for the New Testament. Pagels makes a persuasive case that the Gnostics - though themselves a diverse group with a variety of different interpretations of Christ's life and message -- generally held beliefs that tended to undercut efforts to establish a global, institutionalized, catholic religion, and therefore had to be sidelined. The passages she quotes highlight the Gnostics' anti-hierarchical, anti-authoritarian, egalitarian and individualized approach to religion -- appealing in many ways to anyone even a little bit disenchanted with some of the seamier sides of institutional religion. But Pagels is careful to emphasize that "the religious perspectives and methods of gnosticism did not lend themselves to mass religions" and to delineate the tension between finding one's own path to enlightenment and forging relationships and communities with others: "ideas alone do not make a religion powerful, although it cannot succeed without them; equally important are social and political structures that identify and unite people into a common affiliation.""
"An early, comprehensive, and extremely influential examination of the scrolls found at Nag Hammadi in 1945. Does not include the recently restored Gospel of Judas, but does tackle all apocrypha available and relates the histories of these gospels if known. I recommend this book to anyone who has ever struggled with certain aspects of Christianity, as it offers a window into a religion that could have been. I could totally practice this form of Christianity if only it still existed. It is useful to therapists as it shows an early form of teachers/disciples trying to find serenity and knowledge through learning to know themselves, much like modern psychotherapy. I am also enlightened to certain themes that run through fiction of the last 50 years, ranging from Toni Morrison to the reboot of 'Doctor Who'."
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