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The Gnostic Gospels
by Pagels, Elaine
- Used
- Hardcover
- first
- Condition
- Near Fine in Near Fine dust jacket
- ISBN 10
- 0394502787
- ISBN 13
- 9780394502786
- Seller
-
Traverse City, Michigan, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
New York: Random House. Near Fine in Near Fine dust jacket. 1979. First Edition. Hardcover. 0394502787 . "A startling account of the meaning of Jesus and the origin of Christianity based on gnostic gospels" by a well-respected historian of religion who received awards for this book, including one of the "100 best books of the twentieth century" by Modern Library. Contains an index and source notes in the rear. Original maroon cloth spine with gilt spine lettering over cream paper covered boards. Stated 1st edition with 2 in the number line as was the practise at Random House in 1979. This is a nice clean, tight and unmarked book with no interior or exterior markings, no previous owner names and no bookplates. The dust jacket in similarly nice condition with no chips, tears, or markings. The dust jacket is now in a protective, removable, acetate cover. ; 8vo, 8"- 9" tall; 182 pages .
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.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Peninsula Books
(US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 20760
- Title
- The Gnostic Gospels
- Author
- Pagels, Elaine
- Format/Binding
- Hardcover
- Book Condition
- Used - Near Fine in Near Fine dust jacket
- Edition
- First Edition
- ISBN 10
- 0394502787
- ISBN 13
- 9780394502786
- Publisher
- Random House
- Place of Publication
- New York
- Date Published
- 1979
- Keywords
- 0394502787, Religion, Christianity, Gnostic
Terms of Sale
Peninsula Books
We ship every business day via US Mail as well as other shippers and all shipments come with tracking numbers. You may return your item within 7 days with prior notice if not as described. Book plates, previous owners' names, remainder marks, price clipped dust jackets, and minor cover and dust jacket flaws are not always noted -- PLEASE INQUIRE if this is important to you! We are happy to answer your questions! Every effort is made to accurately describe and price each book, however errors occur occasionally and we reserve the right to correct any mistakes made in cataloging our books. All orders shipped without insurance are sent at buyer's risk! Our advertised shipping rates are for a parcel weighing less than two pounds. If your order is heavy or oversize, we may contact you requesting additional shipping. All items listed are subject to prior sale. Institutions may be billed--please inquire.
About the Seller
Peninsula Books
Biblio member since 2023
Traverse City, Michigan
About Peninsula Books
Peninsula Books has been providing fine and rare books to collectors, institutions and the book trade since 1980. We have a select general stock of books and specialize in Americana in its many forms. We welcome your inquiries and are always happy to answer any questions about our books. Email is usually the quickest way to have your questions answered.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Cloth
- "Cloth-bound" generally refers to a hardcover book with cloth covering the outside of the book covers. The cloth is stretched...
- Number Line
- A series of numbers appearing on the copyright page of a book, where the lowest number generally indicates the printing of that...
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
- Spine
- The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
- Gilt
- The decorative application of gold or gold coloring to a portion of a book on the spine, edges of the text block, or an inlay in...
- Tight
- Used to mean that the binding of a book has not been overly loosened by frequent use.
- Jacket
- Sometimes used as another term for dust jacket, a protective and often decorative wrapper, usually made of paper which wraps...
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