The Gnostic Gospels (Modern Library 100 Best Nonfiction Books) Book PDF, ePub eBook

Join our eBook service for unlimited books & audiobooks. Get a free 7 day subscription! ↓↓↓↓↓


Book Descriptions:
Selected by the Modern Library as one of the 100 best nonfiction books of all time

The Gnostic Gospels is a landmark study of the long-buried roots of Christianity, a work of luminous scholarship and wide popular appeal. First published in 1979 to critical acclaim, winning the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award, The Gnostic Gospels has continued to grow in reputation and influence over the past two decades. It is now widely recognized as one of the most brilliant and accessible histories of early Christian spirituality published in our time.

In 1945 an Egyptian peasant unearthed what proved to be the Gnostic Gospels, thirteen papyrus volumes that expounded a radically different view of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ from that of the New Testament. In this spellbinding book, renowned religious scholar Elaine Pagels elucidates the mysteries and meanings of these sacred texts both in the world of the first Christians and in the context of Christianity today.

With insight and passion, Pagels explores a remarkable range of recently discovered gospels, including the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, to show how a variety of “Christianities” emerged at a time of extraordinary spiritual upheaval. Some Christians questioned the need for clergy and church doctrine, and taught that the divine could be discovered through spiritual search. Many others, like Buddhists and Hindus, sought enlightenment—and access to God—within. Such explorations raised questions: Was the resurrection to be understood symbolically and not literally? Was God to be envisioned only in masculine form, or feminine as well? Was martyrdom a necessary—or worthy—expression of faith? These early Christians dared to ask questions that orthodox Christians later suppressed—and their explorations led to profoundly different visions of Jesus and his message.

Brilliant, provocative, and stunning in its implications, The Gnostic Gospels is a radical, eloquent reconsideration of the origins of the Christian faith.

The Gnostic Gospels (Modern Library 100 Best Nonfiction Books) by Elaine Pagels

From reader reviews:

Jordan Weatherspoon:

In this 21st hundred years, people become competitive in each and every way. By being competitive at this point, people have do something to make all of them survives, being in the middle of the particular crowded place and notice by surrounding. One thing that at times many people have underestimated it for a while is reading. Yes, by reading a publication your ability to survive boost then having chance to stand up than other is high. To suit your needs who want to start reading a book, we give you that The Gnostic Gospels (Modern Library 100 Best Nonfiction Books) book as basic and daily reading reserve. Why, because this book is greater than just a book.

John Augustine:

The book untitled The Gnostic Gospels (Modern Library 100 Best Nonfiction Books) contain a lot of information on the idea. The writer explains the woman idea with easy way. The language is very clear and understandable all the people, so do definitely not worry, you can easy to read the item. The book was published by famous author. The author will bring you in the new era of literary works. You can actually read this book because you can read more your smart phone, or product, so you can read the book inside anywhere and anytime. If you want to buy the e-book, you can wide open their official web-site as well as order it. Have a nice study.

Jake Harris:

You could spend your free time you just read this book this guide. This The Gnostic Gospels (Modern Library 100 Best Nonfiction Books) is simple to deliver you can read it in the area, in the beach, train along with soon. If you did not get much space to bring the printed book, you can buy the e-book. It is make you simpler to read it. You can save often the book in your smart phone. Therefore there are a lot of benefits that you will get when you buy this book.

Linda Thomas:

Do you like reading a reserve? Confuse to looking for your preferred book? Or your book had been rare? Why so many question for the book? But almost any people feel that they enjoy to get reading. Some people likes looking at, not only science book and also novel and The Gnostic Gospels (Modern Library 100 Best Nonfiction Books) or even others sources were given understanding for you. After you know how the truly amazing a book, you feel want to read more and more. Science guide was created for teacher or even students especially. Those guides are helping them to include their knowledge. In other case, beside science reserve, any other book likes The Gnostic Gospels (Modern Library 100 Best Nonfiction Books) to make your spare time considerably more colorful. Many types of book like this.