Many thanks to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of Elaine Pagels excellent new book Miracles and Wonder: The Historical Mystery of Jesus. Pagels, the Harrington Spear Paine Professor of Religion at Princeton University, has examined writing related to the New Testament in her other books. A few years ago, I had the pleasure of reading The Gnostic Gospels, which focused on writings from the early days of Christianity that were somehow stored in a cave for nearly 2,000 years. This book challenged my thinking about the New Testament as Pagels explores the theology and beliefs that were ultimately left out of the New Testament, which I hadn’t really known about before. I attended Catholic school for my entire k-12 education experience, and bible stories were an integral part of my education. It was fascinating to learn that there were decisions about which writings were included in the final draft, and that these writings were left out, as Pagels explains, due to considerations for Christianity’s growth and evangelism. In Miracles and Wonder, Pagels revisits some of these texts, but also examines the Gospels that most Christians are familiar with in order to explore the life and continued interest in Jesus. Als like The Gnostic Gospels, Miracles and Wonder opened my eyes up to reconsider the stories related to Jesus’ life and times.
In addition to being a thought-provoking book that challenges our assumptions and ideas about who Jesus actually was and what the purpose of these stories about his life mean, the book was also a personal exploration for Pagels, who starts the book with questions about why Jesus and his message still resonate with so many people after more than 2,000 years. As Pagels frames this question in different ways, it really challenged my own thinking about Jesus and his significance to others. She not only explores his life and time, but at the end of the book examines how the idea of Jesus has changed over time and especially how his life, times, suffering and death hold resonance for new Christians in other cultures, particularly for people who have been colonized, enslaved, or have experienced other instances of social, cultural, and physical violence. This last chapter, focused on how new converts, artists, and filmmakers have engaged with the idea of Jesus, was probably my favorite in the book. It was fascinating to see how different cultures and groups identified with elements of Jesus’ life or message. One of the more powerful moments is when Pagels explores James Cone’s, the founder of Black Liberation Theology, family’s experience with Jesus as someone who shared the experience of suffering due to discrimination and facing eventual state violence due to his beliefs. Other cultures and groups that Pagels mentioned identified with similar elements of Jesus’ beliefs and acceptance of those who were on the periphery of society. For example, Pagels explains how the Piro people of Peru were initially viewed as Pagans who would not receive equal status with their European colonizers or the Mestizos, yet, once they began to convert, Christianity provided them with not only the “good news” of Jesus’ message, but also with an improved status in society. Although it is sad that their original culture was ultimately displaced by their colonizers, it was still interesting to see how accepting a belief enabled them to move up in society’s standing. Pagels also examines popular depictions of Jesus in the 20th and 21st centuries, and explores how these conceptualizations of Jesus helped to further challenge our understanding, but also held personal meaning to the artists and directors. It was a fascinating chapter.
Other chapters look at different elements of Jesus’ life, his message, the miracles attributed to him, his death and resurrection, ultimately looking at both the historical context of these events, but also trying to make sense of when these events were written and possibly copied or revised by the early Christian followers. I also found these chapters to be really fascinating, especially for someone who grew up hearing these stories since I was really young and having them become such a part of my learning experiences. In school, I think we always tried to examine the meaning of these stories, looking for the moral or message, and what these events might have conveyed about how to live and treat others. However, I really appreciated Pagels’ scholarship and research in examining the historical context as well as some of the texts from the Gnostic Gospels that were ultimately left out of the New Testament. Furthermore, it’s important to understand that some of the Gospels and other books of the New Testament were written down many generations after Jesus’ death, and the stories were passed down or revised before being recorded and included in the New Testament. As Pagels explains, this most likely led to some creative license and enhancing elements of Jesus’ life. In addition, she provides some context to the struggles of the early church, and how the occupation of Judea (modern day Israel) and suspicion and persecution of early Christians led to adding details and events to these stories. What I enjoyed most, though, in Pagels’ analysis of the Gospels was how she drew parallels between these stories and other stories from the Old Testament and noted some of the tropes and archetypes found not only in the bible, but in other ancient literature. She notes similarities between Jesus’ birth and miracles he is credited with performing to those of King David, as well as the biographies of Roman emperors. This was something I also thought about when I first read Eliot’s Wasteland, which explores death and regeneration particularly looking at the myth of the holy grail. It’s interesting to think about Jesus’ life and death in this context as well, especially considering that his birth and death are placed near holidays celebrating the changes in seasons, and in particular, his resurrection, celebrated as Easter, has elements of regeneration and growth. This part of the Pagels’ book, that focuses on the Crucifixion and Resurrection, touched on the metaphorical meaning, and how it relates to the spiritual rebirth or the idea of an eternal spirit, not necessarily a physical body. I think that this was always apparent, that these events are metaphorical and allegorical, yet she also provides historical context about the nature of crucifixion in ancient Judea, and what most likely happened to Jesus’ body at the time.
I also didn’t realize that Jesus was like a political rebel at the time, and that his actions and followers most likely disturbed the Roman occupiers, along with the traditional Jewish leaders in Judea. As Pagels notes in the book, there were some uprisings against the Roman occupation, which were put down violently, using public crucifixions on roads into and out of town to serve as reminders to those who transgress the state. Surprisingly, Pagels explains that these rebels were never usually taken down from their punishment, left to serve as food for carrion birds and other wild animals. She also notes that there are few instances of crucified bodies found in ancient Judea, suggesting that Jesus may not have actually been buried. Nevertheless, as Pagels explains in both earlier chapters and the end of her book, the Gospel writers took creative license to share the message and meaning of Jesus’ life and help spread the word and philosophy of Christians. Similarly, other groups have taken that message and adapted it to meet their own needs or find meaning in times of struggle or change. I found this book to be fascinating and compelling to read. Although many of the stories and events were familiar to me from attending Catholic school, I think that this book could be appealing to those who don’t have as much knowledge or experience with the Gospels and Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Furthermore, I found the historical context and details surrounding ancient Judea to be incredibly helpful in thinking about the challenges that a person like Jesus might have faced. It’s almost ironic to think about how rebellious Jesus and that he was challenging not just the status quo, but also the political authority of the Romans. Yet, Pagels also notes how the stories of Jesus healing others and performing miracles showed him interacting with those who were on the periphery of society or were considered outcasts. He was willing to take care of the sick, to spend time with people we might consider mentally ill today, and to minister to the poor and downtrodden. This was a really great book, and I’m glad I’m reading it during the time of Lent, a time of contemplation and sacrifice, when we try to live a little more like Jesus. This book is a great reminder of the wonderful aspects of Jesus’ life and a great read. Highly recommended!

I'm still reflecting on the light Pagels casts on the historical Jesus. As always, impeccable scholarship brought to inform non-scholars about religious thinking on the interpretation of Jesus' life through the lens of the Gospels, taking into account how long after Jesus death each was written, and how this interpretation has changed throughout history.

Miracles and Wonder by Elaine Pagels is a captivating exploration of the historical and cultural impact of Jesus. Pagels invites readers on a journey through ancient texts and modern interpretations to uncover how a humble man from Judea became a transformative figure in global history. She examines the layers of storytelling, interpretation, and cultural adaptation that shaped the narratives of Jesus’s life and his enduring significance. With a sharp historical lens and thoughtful insight, Pagels reveals the intricate ways early followers shaped Christian beliefs to address their struggles and inspire a growing movement. The book artfully bridges the gaps between history, theology, and personal faith, making it accessible and thought-provoking for a wide audience. Rich in scholarship yet deeply human in its reflections, it highlights the mystery and wonder that have kept Jesus a figure of fascination for millennia. I highly recommend this compelling work for anyone curious about the enduring legacy of Jesus and the evolution of faith.