The origin of Satan

In this book, Elaine Pagels delves into the origins and development of the concept of Satan within the Christian tradition.

She argues that the idea of Satan was used not only to persecute external enemies such as Jews and pagans but also to maintain internal control within the early Christian community.

The book examines how different generations of Christians retold Christ's life and teachings through the lens of their own experiences, influencing the writing of the Gospels and the canonization of certain texts.

Pagels also explores how the concept of Satan became a symbol for both earthly and spiritual conflicts, reflecting the broader human tendency to create an 'us versus them' narrative.