Elaine Pagels, a historian of religion, is the Harrington Spear Paine Professor at Princeton University and an Aspen Institute Trustee. Pagels joined the Princeton faculty in 1982, shortly after receiving a MacArthur Fellowship. Perhaps best known as the author of “The Gnostic Gospels,” “The Origin of Satan,” and “Adam, Eve and the Serpent,” she has published widely on Gnosticism and early Christianity, and continues to pursue research interests on topics that include sexuality and politics, visions, and the origins of Christian anti-semitism. Her most recent books include “Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas” (was on The New York Times best-seller list) and “Revelations: Visions, Prophecy, and Politics in the Book of Revelation” (2012). Her most recent book is departure from the others. One in which she tells her own story, and why she loves investigating the history of religion: it’s called “Why Religion? A Personal Story.” In 2013 she received an honorary law degree from her alumni, Harvard University, and, in 2016, the National Medal for the Arts from President Barack Obama.
Courses – Spring 2022
REL 252/CLA 252/HLS 252: Jesus: How Christianity Began
(EC) Graded A-F, P/D/F, Audit Total Course Enrollment no limit
Professor(s): Elaine Pagels
12:30pm – 1:20pm MW Lecture Precept
Traditions Stream Requirement: Ancient Judaism, Christianity, and Greek and Roman Religions
Who was Jesus of Nazareth, and how do we know about him? Why did some interpretations of truth — and his message — win out over others? How have these particular ways of thinking influenced western culture, shaping our views of politics, race and ethnicity, sexuality and gender, civil and human rights even now? To answer questions like these, we’ll investigate the earliest gospels, letters, Jewish and Roman sources, prison diaries and martyr accounts — as well as how artists, filmmakers, musicians and theologians interpret them. Regardless of religious background, or none, you will learn a lot, and be able to contribute.
REL 526: Religions of Late Antiquity Workshop
Graded */aud Total Enrollment 15
Professor(s): Elaine Pagels
12:00pm – 1:30pm T
A weekly, year-long workshop providing students in the Religions of Late Antiquity with the opportunity to present their current research for discussion. Note: REL 525 (fall) and REL 526 (spring) constitute this year-long workshop. In order to receive credit and/or a grade, students must take the course both semesters.
Publications
Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas (2003) 2. Reading Judas: The Gospel of Judas and the Shaping of Christianity -co-authored w Karen L. King (2007)