The Gnostic Gospels/Adam, Eve and the Serpent/The Origins of Satan

by Elaine Pagels

An exclusive 3-in-1 edition. "The Gnostic Gospels," first published in 1979, is the now classic study of one of Christianity's earliest sects, as revealed through the Nag Hammadi texts discovered in Egypt in 1945. "Adam, Eve and the Serpent" (1988) recreates the controversies that racked the early Church as it confronted the riddles of sexuality, freedom and sin embodied in the story of Genesis. "The Origin of Satan" (1995) explores how Satan evolved from the Old Testament's mere "Adversary" to the Prince of Darkness we meet in the New Testament.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Gnosticism, History

Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Elaine Pagels is a preeminent figure in the theological community whose scholarship has earned her international respect. The Harrington Spear Paine Professor of Religion at Princeton University, she was awarded the Rockefeller, Guggenheim & MacArthur Fellowships in three consecutive years.
As a young researcher at Barnard College, she changed forever the historical landscape of the Christian religion by exploding the myth of the early Christian Church as a unified movement. Her findings were published in the bestselling book, The Gnostic Gospels, an analysis of 52 early Christian manuscripts that were unearthed in Egypt. Known collectively as the Nag Hammadi Library, the manuscripts show the pluralistic nature of the early church & the role of women in the developing movement. As the early church moved toward becoming an orthodox body with a canon, rites & clergy, the Nag Hammadi manuscripts were suppressed & deemed heretical. The Gnostic Gospels won both the Nat'l Book Critic’s Circle Award & the Nat'l Book Award & was chosen by the Modern Library as one of the 100 best books of the 20th Century.

Reviews

[Linda Branham · Rating 4 out of 5]

An in depth explanation of the gnostic gospels

[Chip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Academically well researched, balanced presentation, sophisticated yet pleasant reading. These books do not try to convince; they present the facts in context and let you decide for yourself. My understanding of the Christian faith has been expanded exponentially, and I am eager to find more of Pagels' work. From a historical perspective these are an excellent read. From a spiritual perspective, also very illuminating. As literature... well, perhaps a little dry (but then it isn't supposed to be literature)! Recommended for anyone interested in the very early days of the Christian movement.

[Cicely · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an eye opener as to some of the basic stories of the Bible, teaching us that these stories originated in earlier times.

[Susan Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if Mary Magdelene had been the first pope? The history of Christianity would be very different.
Thought-provoking books about the early history of the Christian church.