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Title: Adam, Eve, and the Serpent by Elaine Pagels ISBN: 0-679-72232-7 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 19 September, 1989 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.68 (19 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Accessible and fascinating...
Comment: This scholarly though very accessible text explores the early Christian interpretations of the Book of Genesis, particularly Adam and Eve's exile from paradise, due to disobeying God, and partaking of the forbidden fruit. The Fall of Man continues to be debated as to its significance, in terms of its influence on modern civilization: sexual, religious, cultural, political and sociological affect on our general attitudes and beliefs about human nature, the nature of the Divine, and our place in existence, as Pagels convincingly points out, is truly pervasive and profound.
It can be argued that the subject of theology is or has become a disciplined subject like any other 'social science', because it employs similar methods of analysis and interpretation to present its perspective arguments. The arguments on this particular point continue to rage, too, in academic circles. Because religion and the 'reading' of scripture can be tainted with prior beliefs and literal interpretations, some would argue that exegesis does not belong in the 'rigorous' systems of the secular humanities. But here we are touching upon another subject of the humanities known as hermeneutics: the interpretation of texts. In the realm of theology, the term 'exegesis' (interpretation of scripture or what one reads out of the text) and 'eisegesis': an analysis or meaning one projects into scripture, or reading into the text, as a way to justify the readers pre-conceived beliefs, is another subject of contention. (It can also be argued that all reading is subjective, and what the individual reader brings to the text is what gives the text meaning.) However, Pagels presents her method of interpretation of scripture and the historical perspectives she intends to use clearly in her introduction:
"I am interested in a process of intellectual history...in the hermeneutical process - how Christians read the story of Adam and Eve, and often projected themselves into it, as a way of reflecting upon such matters as sexuality, human freedom, and human nature." (xxi)
Pagels' text is an historical analysis of the various interpretations of The Fall, and how these interpretations were affected by cultural and historical conditions, beginning with the early Christian writers in the New Testament, including the radical interpretations of certain early Gnostic writers, ending with the highly influential interpretations of St. Augustine and the writings of John Chrysostom and the Pelagians. St. Augustine and the Pelagians hold entirely opposite views on the meaning of The Fall, where only one, interestingly, has managed to hold significance, down through the ages, for modern Christians.
On the surface, this text appears complex and written purely for an academic audience. But what makes this book brilliant is its accessibility to all intelligent readers interested in the history of Western religion and how its ideas has shaped our modern world.
Rating: 5
Summary: Reads like a suspense story
Comment: The nice thing about this book is that it is written like a suspense story. I couldnt stop it till I finished it. Very talented scholar/writer
Rating: 5
Summary: interesting, thought provoking, but is it right?
Comment: If you just have a chance to glance at the book, (1)read pg 150, this is the last page before the epilogue(and is a very concise summary of the book's topics), then read the (2)epilogue, then chapter 1 (3)"the kingdom of God is at hand".(these will give you the best idea of the type of writing and whether it means with your interests) The meat of the book is chapter 6 "the nature of nature" which is an extended argument against Augustine's view of original sin as 1)carried by semen 2)at odds with the radical moralfreedom that the early church taught 3)at odds with natural science. 4)is primarily a cynical justification of the power of religious and political organizations
I really don't know who to recommend the book to. It is written not for scholars, although rebuttal of her points would require at least as good a scholar as she is, but rather at an undergrad level. Educated laymen, interested scholars from associated disciplines, people following an interest in Augustine, early church history particular the gnostics(her speciality) would be the natural audience. I read it as part of a deliberate study on Gen 1-3 and interpretations and found it most interesting and provocative with regards to this interest.
She is a good and competent writer, holding your attention and making effort to explain difficult and esoteric historical points not only clear but relevant. A noble and achievable goal in this book. As to the content, there are only a few points that i am particularly competent to analyze as they cross my interests or knowledge base. In several of these she had misread orthodox thinking and comes close to strawman arguments, however i am not sure if this stems from her committments in the field or from my lack of historical depth. But it doesn't demolish the arguments only make them not-persuasive to me.
The book is an extended historical and theological introduction to the exegesis of Genesis 1-3, in particular, the relationship of Adam-Eve-the serpent to the questions of freewill or moral competence-to-choose. She is most detailed and fact-based when she talks about Augustine in chapter 6, but most interesting as she outlines the 4 or 5 centuries of intellectual history in chapter 1. As a secondary, but certainly interesting theme, there is the interpenetration of religious with political thinking. Why doctrines are not hand delivered from God above but rather are often the result of backroom manipulations and intrigue. It is this tension between ideas as independent creatures, like Plato's forms, and as nothing more than justifications of power structures and hierarchical institutions that supplies a movement, a dynamic that makes the book readable and engaging.
I am, of course, aware of Prof. Pagels by reputation, however this is the first book of hers i have had the pleasure of reading and as a result will be interesting in finding more, particularing in her field of Gnostic studies and the Nag Hammadi manuscripts.
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Title: The Origin of Satan by Elaine Pagels ISBN: 0679731180 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 30 April, 1996 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
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Title: Beyond Belief : The Secret Gospel of Thomas by Elaine Pagels ISBN: 0375501568 Publisher: Random House Pub. Date: 06 May, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels ISBN: 0679724532 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 19 September, 1989 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
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Title: The Gnostic Paul: Gnostic Exegesis of the Pauline Letters by Elaine H. Pagels ISBN: 1563380390 Publisher: Trinity Pr Intl Pub. Date: March, 1992 List Price(USD): $17.00 |
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Title: The Nag Hammadi Library in English : Revised Edition by James M. Robinson ISBN: 0060669357 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 21 November, 1990 List Price(USD): $21.00 |
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