Adam, Eve and the Serpent - Elaine Pagels

Advantages: Interesting and controversial
Disadvantages: Heavily weighted in gnostic topics in some parts

Elaine Pagels is perhaps best known as the author of the popular text, ‘The Gnostic Gospels’, highlighting a lesser known arena in early Christian history. Her reputation is somewhat controversial, as is her writing, but one thing is certain – she is a good writer, interesting to read, and she will make her readers think. This particular book, ‘Adam, Eve and the Serpent’ deals with issues surrounding sexuality and gender, a hot topic in the social ...
...much of Christian history. There is a tug-of-war between ‘traditional values’ (leaving aside that there are various traditions) and ‘revisionist’ or ‘modern’ ideas, and few are in agreement over where the boundaries should be drawn. ‘Abrupt changes in social attitudes have recently become commonplace, especially with respect to sexuality, including marriage, divorce, homosexuality, abortion, contraception, and gender. Whether we welcome these changes ... Read review