NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
From a renowned National Book Award–winning scholar, comes an extraordinary new account of the life of Jesus that explores the mystery of how a poor young man inspired a religion that reshaped the world.
“This is a brilliant and necessary book. Sober, wise, respectful, and fearless." —Jon Meacham, author of The Soul of America
"Pagels’s story is for believers and non-believers alike.” —Tara Westover, author of Educated
"The depth of spirituality she uncovers is profound.” —The New York Times Book Review
Early in her career, Elaine Pagels transformed our understanding of the origins of Christianity with her groundbreaking work in The Gnostic Gospels. Now, after decades of scholarship, she tackles the biggest subject of all: Jesus. In Miracles and Wonder, Pagels embarks on a journey to uncover how a poor young Jewish man became the foundation of a religion that shaped the world.
A Historical Mystery Unfolds
The book reads like a gripping historical mystery, with each chapter addressing fascinating questions based on the gospels left by Jesus's followers:
- Why is Jesus said to have had a virgin birth?
- Why do we say he rose from the dead?
- Did his miracles really happen, and what did they mean?
A Thrilling and Tense Narrative
Pagels brings not just Jesus to life, but also his desperate, hunted followers. She reveals how some of the most compelling details of Jesus's life were explanations crafted by his disciples to address inconvenient facts:
- Jesus wasn’t illegitimate—his mother conceived by God.
- His body wasn’t left to rot in a common grave—he rose from the dead and was seen whole by his followers.
- Jesus wasn’t a failed messiah—his kingdom is a metaphor: he lives in us.
These fabrications, though necessary, electrified their listeners and helped grow the movement.
In Miracles and Wonder, Pagels does more than solve a historical mystery. She illuminates Jesus's enduring power to inspire and attract, making this a story for believers and non-believers alike.
