# The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels

The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels examines alternative early Christian perspectives in texts including the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Mary Magdalene. This 224-page English reissue is a concise study for readers interested in how early Christian beliefs and practices differed.

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- Market: CA
- Language: en-CA
- Currency: CAD
- Category: Books, Music & Hobbies > Books, Music & Movies > Books & Comics
- Price: 20.57 CAD
- Previous price: 24.95 CAD
- Discount: 18%
- Price checked: 2026-11-13T12:14:19.851Z
- Rating: 4.5 / 5
- Reviews: 2574

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## At a glance

- Discusses the Nag Hammadi texts and alternative perspectives on early Christianity.
- Covers questions about church authority, spiritual discovery, resurrection, gender, and martyrdom.
- Includes discussion of the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Mary Magdalene.
- The listing identifies it as a National Book Award winner.

## Pros

- A compact 224-page study that brings several early Christian texts and debates into one volume.
- Customer feedback describes the book as informative, fascinating, and readable.

## Specifications

### Publication
- Publisher: Vintage
- Publication date: Sept. 19 1989
- Edition: Reissue
- Language: English
- Print length: 224 pages
- ISBN-10: 0679724532
- ISBN-13: 978-0679724537
### Dimensions and installation
- Dimensions: 13.11 x 1.57 x 20.14 cm
- Weight listed: 249 g

## A good fit for

- Readers exploring early Christianity, Gnosticism, and the Nag Hammadi texts.
- Readers interested in historical and theological debates about early Christian belief and authority.

## Less suited to

- Readers seeking a primary-text edition of the Gnostic gospels rather than a study of them.
- Readers looking for a comprehensive reference work rather than a concise account.

## Customer feedback

Customer feedback describes the book as fascinating, informative, riveting, and readable, while views on the writing quality are mixed. For readers seeking a concise historical exploration of early Christian texts, those reported strengths may suit the subject, though reactions to the prose vary. Aggregate ratings lean strongly positive, but they do not explain individual readers’ reasons.
- Positive themes: Readers describe the content as fascinating and informative.
- Positive themes: Feedback also highlights readability and the book’s ability to hold interest.
- Mixed feedback: Opinions on the writing quality differ, with some readers praising it and others wishing it were better written.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is this book about?
Elaine Pagels explores alternative early Christian perspectives represented by the Nag Hammadi texts and considers how they differed from beliefs that became orthodox Christianity.
### Does the book include the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Mary Magdalene?
The listing says Pagels discusses both texts as part of her exploration of early Christian writings.
### How long is this edition?
The listed print length is 224 pages.

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## Add-ons

- [Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas](https://loonieperks.com/visit/the-gnostic-gospels-elaine-pagels)
- [The Origin of Satan: How Christians Demonized Jews, Pagans, and Heretics](https://loonieperks.com/visit/the-gnostic-gospels-elaine-pagels)

## Images

![The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels — 1](https://loonieperks.com/i/8eCkS9ynA6KCBxqzCDlt-k37SQndUiOi9sofhvRAFeNWs_j_XQlDqDBo48BImbaws-nhRu-M34i9YJ_nELBWXoasQO9EAgDAFXpLAWv_6-vaNVfD_nex.jpg)

![The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels — 2](https://loonieperks.com/i/QdTh29ytaHK0yL7i0YaEodeIqHHQDust4UlC5C3wNdI7ALDRRz5uUMyY2Gkn2Fcom74h6fbVxCovP-w19GgUlxYp6xdCHfjRIVKhKX2sNltD0AGlOHBN.jpg)

![The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels — 3](https://loonieperks.com/i/S_VKwg1xrn1LfotKSCABBy-0xc9mLJHZt65aWQ3c6a9JHn9C9yVWU4NZs3ENmWzje0yY7dKY962IoTSxI2L1znv6rX4oNruUDaablNqXZhT98l1yHn-p.jpg)

![The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels — 4](https://loonieperks.com/i/lG_WwJvrAPu_-2OwImxaJHegHpVw1r5N_-4re9Fz0JYgyYLuSLqQ_S9UEt3dNsaRnTh22LzkaMLp0lcBYTwwpwSmfFc6JP5eoW5bMI1xgYzgKyCGC--l.jpg)

![The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels — 5](https://loonieperks.com/i/WAm_yq6L4o3sG-DUeTCDgD4pxN4cY6k5OHSTL7UfWpXSv6fiE_s__OT1Pc8WUE_n5levy4NuKSQFhn0612WmxqC0eJjSNBe3774akBA4oA.jpg)