Adam And The Serpent Analysis

In Adam, Eve, and the Serpent, Elaine Pagels discusses sexual relationships, and gender roles and to how they have been influenced by the bible passage of Adam and Eve. Pagels uses historical information to justify her argument. She argues that the Christian views on sexuality have been strongly influenced as the Christians want from being persecuted to the official religion of emperors. These views changed as people interpreted the story of Adam and Eve and used their interpretations as grounds to preach about celibacy and other sexual practices.
Adam, Eve, and the Serpent starts off with background information as grounds for Pagels’ argument. She summarizes life during Jesus’ time, and how Adam and Eve have been interpreted by the Jews and …show more content…
A debate arose between Jovinian and Jerome concerning abstinence. Jovinian rejected the idea that those who are celibate are holier than those who are not, if they stay true to their baptismal vows. In the 4th century, Augustine developed what became the foundation for modern Christianity. He came up with the concept of original sin which was a result of the fall of Adam and Eve. Augustine converted to Christianity, and struggled with his sexual desire. This struggle became the grounds for his beliefs, believing that these desires are a result of Adam and Eve’s disobedience. Pagels summarized Augustine beliefs …show more content…
Pagels defends her argument throughout her book with different accounts of how people used their own interpretation of Adam and Eve to justify their own beliefs on sexuality. She was also able to illustrate the why Christians are for celibacy and sexual restraint, and are opposed to abortion, polygamy. Adam, Eve, and the Serpent, gives the reader information about why Christians have certain views in regards to sexuality. Pagels gave many examples throughout her book of how views about sexuality arose from the bible. Some examples are Jerome vs. Jovinian and Augustine vs. John Chrysostom. These debates were both concerning sexual activities and used the Bible passage of Adam and Eve as references. Her book sheds light on women in Christianity by showing the readers historical facts that show why it is a positive thing if a woman remains celibate. She gave the readers background information to why some of our moral stances on sexual matters are what they are. For example, in the Christian Church woman and man are supposed to remain celibate until marriage. Also on a bigger scale, her book shows us why our society has different views between man and