Elaine Pagels, a renowned historian and professor at Princeton, dives deep into the life of Jesus of Nazareth, examining the political and spiritual turmoil surrounding him. She explores the radical insights of the Gnostic Gospels, contrasting them with traditional teachings. The conversation highlights the significance of resurrection and collective belief, delves into the artistic legacies of Jesus’ story, and reflects on the evolving themes of messianic identity. Pagels’ insights challenge conventional narratives and invite listeners to rethink spirituality and faith.
44:31
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Jesus Story's Enduring Power
The Jesus story holds spiritual power that transcends its historical uncertainly and simple narrative form.
This power keeps inspiring people across centuries, making it perpetually alive and urgent in various expressions.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Born Again Experience
Elaine Pagels recounts being born again at a Billy Graham crusade but later experiencing the effects wearing off.
Despite this, the deep draw of the spiritual experience and cosmic drama keeps pulling her back to the story.
insights INSIGHT
Gnostic Gospels Reveal Mysteries
The 1945 discovery of Gnostic Gospels revealed secret teachings of Jesus to his disciples, expanding beyond orthodox texts.
These texts offer mature, mystical insights, inviting deeper spiritual knowledge beyond the public sermons.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Set in 19th-century Russia, 'The Brothers Karamazov' is a novel that delves into the lives of the Karamazov family, focusing on the three brothers—Dmitri, Ivan, and Alyosha—and their complex relationships with their father, Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov. The novel is a murder mystery, a courtroom drama, and an exploration of erotic rivalry, faith, doubt, and reason. It examines the human psyche, moral dilemmas, and the search for meaning in a world fraught with suffering and uncertainty. The story revolves around the murder of Fyodor Pavlovich and the subsequent trial of Dmitri, accused of the crime, while exploring deeper themes of Russian life, social and spiritual striving, and the clash between faith and reason[2][5][4].
The Gospel according to Luke
S. A. Worcester
The Gospel of Luke, attributed to Luke the Evangelist, is the third canonical gospel in the New Testament. It presents a detailed account of Jesus' life, ministry, death, and resurrection, emphasizing themes of compassion, social justice, and salvation for all people. Luke's Gospel is known for its meticulous historical detail and its inclusion of parables and teachings unique to its narrative. It also features a prominent role for women and marginalized individuals, reflecting Luke's concern for the social and political context of Jesus' ministry. The Gospel of Luke is considered a crucial source for understanding the historical Jesus and the early development of Christianity.
Resurrection Man
Charlotte MacLeod
The last temptation of Christ
Nikos Kazantzakis
We’re considering the Jesus story with the historian Elaine Pagels. Her new book is a marvel, crowning a lifetime of bestselling scholarship, sifting the sources and retuning the narrative in and around the Christian Gospels. The title is Miracles and Wonder: The Historical Mystery of Jesus.
Elaine Pagels.
By the way, we’re in history class, not Sunday school, but she’s tackling the big questions about just what happened to this restless young rabbi, Jesus of Nazareth, who got crucified for his ambition in his battle with the chief priests of the temple and the Romans who ruled Jerusalem at the time.
Open Source with Christopher Lydon 
