“In the beginning, God created humanity. But now humanity creates God. This is the way it is in the world—human beings invent gods and worship their creation. It would be more fitting for the gods to worship human beings!38” — Elaine Pagels Copy Share Image
“Only the Jews, of all the nations under Roman rule, had won the right to separate their political obligations from religious ones, to obey… — Elaine Pagels Copy Share
“Even Tacitus admitted that “whatever their origin, [the Jews’] observances are sanctioned by their antiquity,”64 and the Romans respected tradition. Christians, however, had no… — Elaine Pagels Copy Share
There's practically no religion that I know of that sees other people in a way that affirms the others' choices. But in our century… — Elaine Pagels Copy Share
He's an intimate betrayer. That's what's so troubling. Judas turned in his own teacher. — Elaine Pagels Copy Share
The Antichrist is often identified with the second beast in the Book of Revelation that arises from the land, the beast that tries to… — Elaine Pagels Copy Share
“Jesus—for example, his categorical rejection of divorce, or his statement that “if anyone does not hate his own father and mother and wife and… — Elaine Pagels Copy Share
The Gospel of Thomas claims to be the secret sayings of Jesus. There are 114 of them, so it says many things, but the… — Elaine Pagels Copy Share
I just have a sense that, you know, I'm curious about what is religion about, you know? Why do some of us still engage… — Elaine Pagels Copy Share
“Augustine reflects that “what made me a slave to it was the habit [consuetudo] of satisfying an insatiable lust.”31” — Elaine Pagels Copy Share
Contemporary Christianity, diverse and complex as we find it, actually may show more unanimity than the Christian churches of the first and second centuries.… — Elaine Pagels Copy Share
“I beseech you, my lord, why have I been endowed with the power of understanding? For I did not want to ask about heavenly… — Elaine Pagels Copy Share
The author of the Gospel of Judas wasn't against martyrdom, and he didn't ever insult the martyrs. He said it's one thing to die… — Elaine Pagels Copy Share
“gnostics celebrated as proof of spiritual maturity, the orthodox denounced as “deviation” — Elaine Pagels Copy Share
Startling as the Gospel of Judas sounds, it amplifies hints we have long read in the Gospels of Mark and John that Jesus knew… — Elaine Pagels Copy Share
