The Gnostic Gospels

Critics of The Gnostic Gospels and later historians of early Christianity have questioned the validity of the entire category of gnosticism. How does Pagels assign a cohesive identity to a wide range of communities and beliefs? What rubrics does she use to determine who does and does not belong in this category? Are these rubrics valid?

Choose one story or concept from Christianity (i.e., the creation myth from the Book of Genesis, the idea of the Devil, the crucifixion of Jesus, etc.). Drawing from both The Gnostic Gospels and original research, how do orthodox and gnostic understandings of this story or concept differ? How are they the same? What do such similarities and differences reveal about gnosticism and early Christianity in general?

Analyze one of the texts from the Nag Hammadi manuscripts, such as The Gospel of Thomas, The Apocalypse of Adam, or The Teachings of Silvanus. What does the text reveal about gnostic ideas? Does your understanding of the text lead you to agree or disagree with the presentation of gnosticism in The Gnostic Gospels?