Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different
Click for full-size.
The Gnostic Gospels
by Elaine Pagels
- Used
- Paperback
- Condition
- Used Good/yes
- ISBN 10
- 0679724532
- ISBN 13
- 9780679724537
- Seller
-
Pella, Iowa, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Vintage, September 1989. Trade Paperback . Used Good/yes .
Synopsis
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.
Reviews
On Sep 20 2014, a reader said:
Pagels has a rare combination of writing talent and understanding of the Gnostic literary heritage. She is able to bring together traditional Biblical literature and the recent finds such as the manuscripts of Nag Hammadi. To do this and to stimulate reader imagination and interest is a great accomplishment.
(Log in or Create an Account first!)
Details
- Bookseller
- Pella Books
(US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 233683
- Title
- The Gnostic Gospels
- Author
- Elaine Pagels
- Format/Binding
- Trade Paperback
- Book Condition
- Used Good
- Jacket Condition
- yes
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN 10
- 0679724532
- ISBN 13
- 9780679724537
- Publisher
- Vintage
- Place of Publication
- New York
- Date Published
- September 1989
- Pages
- 182
Terms of Sale
Pella Books
Terms of Sale All items returnable for refund if, for any reason, you're not happy with the purchase, within ten days of delivery, but the same book must be returned in the same condition that it was in when it was shipped. If you have any questions about a book, please e-mail or call before ordering. We are an open brick and mortar store; books are subject to prior sale. We can accept only prepaid orders. We will provide a pro forma invoice if the total is over $50.00. If not using a credit card, books are held for seven days pending payment. Books are shipped by U. S. Postal Service media rate unless other arrangements are made. Priority is at least $7.50 for the first book or more depending on the zone and weight and $2.00 for each additional book; please e-mail or call to inquire about priority. Shipping/handling for sets, oversize books, and international shipping is extra: please e-mail or call to inquire. Although we do not designate every oversize book in the description, we will e-mail for approval that shipping/handling or tax is added to the amount before we charge your credit card. For domestic orders, we accept VISA, MasterCard, check, and money order. Because of currency conversion charges, international orders must be made with credit card. Iowa residents must add 7% sales tax. We gladly drop ship.
About the Seller
Pella Books
Biblio member since 2009
Pella, Iowa
About Pella Books
We are located in a small historic building, a church for over 100 years, that is worth seeing for its own sake. We specialize in out-of-print, rare and scarce, and antiquarian books.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Trade Paperback
- Used to indicate any paperback book that is larger than a mass-market paperback and is often more similar in size to a hardcover...
This Book’s Categories
Uncommonly Good Books Sold in 2019
Read about some of the most interesting books and ephemera that were sold through Biblio in 2019 and browse the gallery of highlights.
Collect modern first editions
Biblio is showcasing the top book published every year starting in 1919. See if your favorite modern first edition made the list! Check out our collecting first editions by the year.
