Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas by Elaine Pagels
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Book Reviews of Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas
Book Review: An Evangelical Pastor reads interesting perspective
Summary: 3 Stars
Elaine Pagels who has spent her educational career studying the roots of Christianity provides an compelling perspective on the establishment of the New Testament canon and the perhaps "missing" Gospel of Thomas. Her goal is to ask tough questions surrounding denunciation of the Gospel of Thomas. In her book she compares this Thomas's gospel with the famous Gospel of John, and unpacks the possible implications of how Christianity may have been different if the Gospel of Thomas would not have been labeled as heresy. Unlike many Biblical and Christian critics, Elaine writes with a sense of compassion for all readers. Though unwavering in her own beliefs, she writes in a personable way. In no way is it her desire to force or offend - and that was appreciated.
As an pastor of an evangelical church, Pagels' raises serious indictments against the New Testament and the meaning behind the John's Gospel. These implications, if true, would have changed the face of Western Christianity. This book is sure to send your mind spiraling places no "Christian" book ever will. It is probably not for the faint of mind. It takes a clear conscious and additional research to navigate this text and still "believe" in the "traditional" interpretation of the Gospel of John.
If you are a believer in the message of John's gospel, and like to be poked and questioned - this is a book for you. If you are not a "believer" or unfamiliar with John's Gospel per se, this may be a fun intellectual ride. If you want more answers than questions - you may want to dodge this book.
Book Review: Still a secret
Summary: 3 Stars
First of all, this book is not about Thomas. The book is mostly concerned with explaining why early Christians like Irenaeus suppressed gospels such as the Gospel of Thomas. A lot of space is taken up discussing the Gospel of John, supposedly as a comparison, but when the Gnostic Gospels are discussed Pagels discusses just about every Gnostic Gospel except Thomas. There is no detailed discussion of Thomas nor do you get any understanding of what motivated the writer of the Gospel of Thomas, and since that is why I was reading the book, that is very disappointing. Second, the personal anecdotes do nothing for me. I didn't find them illuminating. In fact, they were quite distracting as I had to rack my brains to figure out what the story had to do with anything.Book Review: no revelation here...
Summary: 3 Stars
While Elaine Pagels book is interesting from the standpoint of some of the political possibilities for the formation of the new testament, I personally found less conflict amongst the gospels than I found consistancies. I love that Thomas teaches that the imprint of God is within us all, and that God's light shines within all. But, at the same time all the Gospels speak to me about following truly a great prophet, priest, king, and son of God that Jesus is. Although most organized religions follow certain doctrine, there is much room for the Holy Spirit to mold each individuals understanding. Far more than might have been possible during the period of time in question, and perhaps more than Elaine gives the church credit for today.Book Review: The Gospel of St John is more accurate
Summary: 3 Stars
If you want a review of the gospel of Thomas look to the references cited in this book. The end notes are an excellent source of research in early Christian texts. This book is about the gospel of St John, how the politics of the time shaped what was written and how the work of Origen and the Emperor Constantine decided what gospels would constitute the New Testament. The writing is uneven or perhaps it needed tighter editing to have the work flow in a more even pace.
This mis-naming and awkward, read as uneven, pace seems to be characteristic of Pagels, her origin of Satan had similar problems. What she clearly possesses is the desire to ferret out the details and offer a plausible explanation.
Book Review: Not as good as her The Gnostic Gospels
Summary: 3 Stars
Pagels is a widely recognized authority on the diverse non-canonical literature of early Christianity. Though this appreciation of the Gospel of Thomas is interesting, it is murky in places and marred by her moving account of her personal tragedies which unfortunately she fails to relate clearly to the subject at hand. I found her older book (much older, actually - 1979, I think) far more clearly written and much more logically organized. The present work does incorporate some more recent scholarly work, and this edition includes the complete text of the Gospel of Thomas in English translation, which is quite helpful. I recommend Pagels's The Gnostic Gospels over this one.