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The Gnostic Gospels By Elaine Pagels Analysis

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Elaine Pagels, author of The Gnostic Gospels, suggests that the Christian church begins in communities with different viewpoints. The outlooks from the Orthodox Christians and Gnostics both vary through their different beliefs about the symbol of Christianity. Through discussions of politics and history, Pagels outline arguments in the development of church leadership in Early Christianity. The Orthodox Christians (Christians vs church) primary focus is on one sovereign ruler and claims to represent “true Christianity” and those who oppose their beliefs are heretics. The Gnostics focus on “secret knowledge” traditions about Jesus. Gnosticism reflects on the interpretation of God through the knowledge of oneself at an extensive level. The Gnostics

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