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Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas by Elaine Pagels If you would like to learn more about the history of early Christianity and how it was shaped this is a great book!
I could identify with lots of passages. The most marvelous wonder was that some of the things that the Spirit has taught me recently were taught to some of the early Christians! This is the book for those seeking beyond a literal interpretation of the scriptures. However, it may leave you wanting more.
The author uses ancient texts found in Egypt in 1945 and compares them to the gospels that made it into the New Testament. It is fascinating to see how diverse the primitive churches were. It also discusses how some gospels were written expressly to prove prophesy fulfilled or disprove another gospel.
Elaine Pagels is considered an expert in religious history. Her book is well documented and written. It’s also easy to read. It took me a few days to read.
Quote’s from the Gospel of Thomas:
[Jesus speaking]…the Kingdom is inside you, and outside you. When you come to know yourselves, then you will be known, and you will see that it is you who are the children of the living Father. But if you will not know yourselves, you dwell in poverty, and it is you who
arethat poverty. Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, [Jesus] answered then, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!,’ for the kingdom of God is within you.”
Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, [Jesus] answered then, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!,’ for the kingdom of God is within you.” For the kingdom of God is within you, thank you Just Me for that quote.
just me wrote:Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas by Elaine Pagels
If you would like to learn more about the history of early Christianity and how it was shaped this is a great book!
Yes, I loved this book — and many others written by her. I’ve studied quite a few author’s takes on the gnostic gospels, but I find Ms. Pagels to be one of the most compelling. Like so much in religion, many authors try to slant their interpretation to fit what their background is. IOW, a staunch Christian will find the words of Jesus that confirms his/her paradigm of religion. I heard Pagels speak about 4 years ago, and she was very confident yet humble about what she knows. It was here at Westminster College, so she had some iron rod Mormons attacking her, and she handled them tactfully.
Like many, I was enthralled in the subject of Jesus’ life after reading ‘The Davinci Code’ and ‘Angels and Demons.’ Of course they were fiction, but it really brought to light for me the possible alterations made in early Christianity of true history. I do believe in the literal Jesus, but like Pagels, I see him as an enlightened teacher, but many of the legends taught us (virgin birth, resurrection, half God, half man, etc.) were really borrowed from other traditions — mostly Paganism. But of course I could be wrong.
I haven’t read any of Elaine Pagels books yet, but I have seen her interviewed several times. She seems like an outstanding scholar, and I’ll have to put this on my (large) “to read” list. mormonheretic wrote:I haven’t read any of Elaine Pagels books yet, but I have seen her interviewed several times. She seems like an outstanding scholar, and I’ll have to put this on my (large) “to read” list.
LoL. You and me both. My list (and pile) keeps growing. I read about 2 books a week, I’m *still* falling behind…HiJolly
I loved this book! I also enjoyed the Gospel of Judas that was recently published. These scholarly works about scripture reminded me that the article of faith states “as far as it is translated correctly” and that the Bible was written hundreds of years after the facts by men who KNEW the world was flat. *laugh* we have so much to learn.
🙄 Oh yes, I love all the books I’ve read from her! I’ve read the Gospel of Judas and the one on Gnostic Paul. My reading list is engorged, too. For the first time in my life I’m trying to read 3-5 books at a time. LOL In each Pagels book there seems to be several sentences that have been revealed to me before. I love reading things like that!
Rix, the thing I love about the myths is that they contain truths which is why they have been around forever with variations. Once I was able to let go of the historicity of the scriptures whole new worlds of meaning opened up to me. Have any of you found that to be true? I think the myths mean more to me now that I don’t take them literally. It is hard to explain to a literal believer how something can be true even if not historically accurate—I wouldn’t have understood pre-paradigm shift, either.
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