Published initially in 1979, Pagels' The Gnostic Gospels represents a landmark of scholarship in religious studies. It not only made the Nag Hammadi writings and Gnosticism popular topics in modern culture, it also invited scholars to rethink early Christianity from new perspectives. After The Gnostic Gospels, Elaine Pagels extended her research in various directions, from perceptions of sexuality in early Christianity and identity politics in the creation of the "Satan figure" to the role of ritual in Nag Hammadi texts, and, recently, the Gospel of Judas and ancient apocalypses. The studies included in this volume engage each stage of Pagels' vast trajectory, and provide critical evaluations of the field of "Gnosticism studies." The studies include new interpretations of the Nag Hammadi texts and fresh analyses of ancient heresiological literature.

Contributors: Harold Attridge, April DeConick, Ismo Dunderberg, John Gager, Deirdre Good, Eduard Iricinschi, Lance Jenott, David Jorgensen, Karen King, Nicola Denzey Lewis, AnneMarie Luijendijk, Hugo Lundhaug, John Marshall, Marvin Meyer, Geoff Smith, Einar Thomassen, John D. Turner, Michael A. Williams, Holger Zellentin