The Gnostic GospelsThe Gnostic Gospels
Score Classic
What it's about
In 1945, farmers in Egypt dug up a jar of ancient texts, including gospels that had been lost for centuries, like the Gospel of Thomas. Elaine Pagels shows what these 'Gnostic' gospels reveal about early Christianity: a far more varied movement than the church later allowed, with different ideas about God, Jesus, women and authority, and how the orthodox church came to win.
Why it's worth reading
It won the National Book Award and is on the Modern Library list of the best nonfiction. It's clear, short and changed how many readers see Christian history.
You'll love it if you liked
The Varieties of Religious Experience
The Name of the Rose
Children of GebelawiGood to know
It's scholarly but readable. Some later scholars question the term 'Gnostic' and parts of Pagels's interpretation.
By the numbers
- Readers35 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics93 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller9 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
Why it made the list
Reads as
Moving
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Quick answers
Is The Gnostic Gospels worth reading?
Yes. It won the National Book Award and is on the Modern Library list of the best nonfiction. It ranks #959 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 73.4 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Gnostic Gospels about?
In 1945, farmers in Egypt dug up a jar of ancient texts, including gospels that had been lost for centuries, like the Gospel of Thomas. Elaine Pagels shows what these 'Gnostic' gospels reveal about early Christianity: a far more varied movement than the church later allowed, with different ideas about God, Jesus, women and authority, and how the orthodox church came to win.
How long does it take to read The Gnostic Gospels?
About 5 hours (184 pages), or about 10 days at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has The Gnostic Gospels won?
National Book Award (Nonfiction) winner (1980).
What should I read after The Gnostic Gospels?
If you liked it, try The Varieties of Religious Experience by William James, The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco or Children of Gebelawi by Naguib Mahfouz.