description: The Gnostic Gospels provides engaging listening for those seeking a broader perspective on the early development of Christianity. Author and noted scholar Elaine Pagels suggests that Christianity could have developed quite differently if Gnostic texts had become part of the Christian canon. Without a Gnosticism celebrates God as both Mother and Father, shows a very human Jesus's relationship to Mary Magdalene, suggests the Resurrection is better understood symbolically, and speaks to self-knowledge as the route to union with God. Pagels argues that Christian orthodoxy grew out of the political considerations of the day, serving to legitimize and consolidate early church leadership. Her contrast of that developing orthodoxy with Gnostic teachings presents an intriguing trajectory on a world faith as it "might have become."
language: English
title: The Gnostic Gospels
titlecomplete: The Gnostic Gospels
characters: Mary Magdalene
genres: History, Mythology, Christianity, Religion, Philosophy, Gnosticism, Spirituality, Theology, Nonfiction, Christian
ratings_count: 17703
awards: awardedAt: 315561600000
name: National Book Award
category: Religion/Inspiration (Hardcover), awardedAt: 284025600000
name: National Book Critics Circle Award
category: Criticism
publisher: Random House Audio