Book description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From a renowned National Book Award–winning scholar, 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.Early in her career, Elaine Pagels changed our understanding of the origins of Christianity with her work in The Gnostic Gospels. Now, in the culmination of a decades-long career, she explores the biggest subject of all, Jesus. In Miracles and Wonder she sets out to discover how a poor young Jewish man inspired a religion that shaped the world.The book reads like a historical mystery, with each chapter addressing a fascinating question and answering it based on the gospels Jesus's followers left behind. 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?The story Pagels tells is thrilling and tense. Not just does Jesus comes to life but his desperate, hunted followers do as well. We realize that some of the most compelling details of Jesus's life are the explanations his disciples created to paper over inconvenient facts. So Jesus wasn't illegitimate, his mother conceived by God; Jesus's body wasn't humiliatingly left to rot and tossed into a common grave—no, he rose from the dead and was seen whole by his followers; Jesus isn't a failed messiah, his kingdom is a metaphor: he lives in us. These necessary fabrications were the very details and promises that electrified their listeners and helped his followers' numbers grow.In Miracles and Wonder, Pagels does more than solve a historical mystery. She sheds light on Jesus's enduring power to inspire and attract.
About the Author
ELAINE PAGELS is the Harrington Spear Paine Professor of Religion at Princeton University. In 2015 she received the National Humanities Medal from President Barack Obama, and earlier in her career was awarded a Rockefeller, Guggenheim, and MacArthur fellowship in consecutive years. As a young researcher at Barnard College, she changed the historical landscape of the Christian religion by exploding the myth of the early Church as a unified movement. Her findings were published in the bestselling book The Gnostic Gospels (1979), which won both the National Book Critics Circle Award and the National Book Award. Her subsequent books include Why Religion? Revelations, Reading Judas, Beyond Belief, The Origin of Satan, and Adam, Eve, and the Serpent. She has been profiled in Time, The Atlantic, Vogue, The New Yorker, and Newsweek's issue "Women and Power."
Friday Ferrari
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. Kudos to the developers for creating an app that caters to audiobook lovers like me. From sleek design to functional features, it's a true gem. 💎📚 Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like having a personal reading guide.
Delirious Supernova
This app has made multitasking a breeze – I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. With support for various audio formats, ListenBook ensures I can enjoy my favorite audiobooks without worries. Easy chapter navigation and beautiful design make this app stand out.
Mauve Cactus
Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences – a thoughtful feature. ListenBook Pro takes my experience to the next level. Unlimited audiobook length, noise reduction, and voice tone adjustment? Count me in! Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized.
Wiccan Trouble
Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. I'm impressed by how this app seamlessly syncs across my devices. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is a game-changer for my on-the-go listening. With this app, my audiobook library is organized and accessible, making my reading journey effortless. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional.
Blade
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Trash Master
This app is a game-changer for busy individuals who miss reading. ⭐️ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency – I'm savoring stories with ease, even on the busiest days. 🎶📖
Lady Killer
The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits – so cool! I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design – it's like a personal library right at my fingertips. With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere – it's a reader's dream come true. I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs.
Lady Fantastic
Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's design is a reader's dream. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature!
K-Tin Man
My kids are hooked on the children's audiobook collection – it's a parenting win! With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. No more hassle with formats – this app ensures my audiobook adventures are smooth, and my favorite tales are just a tap away. Highly recommended! 📚🎧 With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds convenience to my audiobook routine.
ThoughtTraveler
Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream – simple and efficient. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers is incredibly convenient. Downloading audiobooks has never been this easy. ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening. ListenBook has become my trusted companion. It's my go-to app for expanding my knowledge and enjoyment.
Moon Laser
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldn’t call it unforgettable. An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with it—the narration was fine, and the story was okay—but nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
Moonflower
This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits – truly impressive. ⏰ Starting my mornings with inspiration – audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! ☀️🎧 ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge. I'm impressed by the app's performance – it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts.
Shadow Chaser
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer – I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. This app's compatibility with different file types means that my entire audiobook collection is at my fingertips. Finally, an app that respects my busy lifestyle. Whether I'm commuting or exercising, this app's smooth playback and smart controls keep me engaged. 🏃♀️🎧 The app's compatibility with CarPlay adds an extra layer of convenience, especially during road trips. Makes listening to audiobooks so easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Zero Corn
ListenBook's extensive format support makes it the ultimate audiobook app for any audiobook lover. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Treasure Devil
I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. 🎉 Rekindling my love for stories – this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! 📖🚀 ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Washer
The ListenBook app has become an indispensable part of my daily routine, helping me learn and relax simultaneously. ListenBook has made me fall in love with my audio content all over again – it's a must-have. Audiobook enthusiasts, gather around! This app's exceptional features, from audio filters to robust support, have transformed my daily routines into storytelling moments. 🎉🎧 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically. The playback controls are so responsive. No lag at all.
Cool Whip
I'm finally making progress on my reading goals, thanks to this app's convenience. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app is your new best friend. I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile.
Trouble Mittens
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! 🚶♂️🌟 Embracing audiobooks as my companions during leisurely walks – nature and narratives, a perfect match! 🚶♂️🎧 ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise.
Sass Burst
With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. Audiobook immersion without complications – this app's ease of use is commendable. Apple Watch compatibility enhances my audiobook experience. It's a convenient way to control playback. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Overrun
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. ListenBook has all the features I need. My go-to audiobook app!
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience