Read. Watch. Discuss. Repeat.

Rebind's goal is to open challenging and inspiring books to readers.

About Elaine Pagels

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER, MACARTHUR FELLOW, PROFESSOR, REBINDER

Elaine Pagels transformed our understanding of early Christianity when she helped translate the Nag Hammadi library as a young scholar in the 1970s. As Harrington Spear Paine Professor of Religion at Princeton University, Pagels has dedicated her career to illuminating Christianity’s diverse origins through both academic rigor and accessible writing. Her groundbreaking 1979 book The Gnostic Gospels—winner of both the National Book Award and National Book Critics Circle Award—introduced general readers to these long-suppressed texts and challenged simplified narratives about Christianity’s development. As one of few women in a male-dominated field, Pagels brought unique perspective to texts that often feature prominent female disciples and divine feminine imagery.

Selections of Elaine Pagels’ Published Work

Elaine Pagels’ Accolades

Elaine Pagels In The News

Pagels’ own spiritual journey informs her approach to these ancient writings. Raised in a family that had “abandoned connection with religion,” she experienced both evangelical faith and subsequent disillusionment before turning to academic study. This personal search for meaning makes her an ideal guide through complex theological territory. Rather than approaching these texts as mere historical artifacts, Pagels illuminates their continuing relevance to spiritual seekers today. Her ability to balance scholarly precision with warmth and accessibility has made her one of the most influential voices in religious studies, helping readers navigate the fascinating intersection of history, spirituality, and human experience.

If you can open yourself to just listen to what these texts say, they're about what you experience deep within yourself and the sense that there is a connection between that and the divine sources.

This is the most creative and interesting book-related AI tech I've seen so far, and I'm happy to see big-name authors leading by example with their openness to exploring generative uses of this technology.

Rebecca Joines Schinsky

Chief of Staff at Book Riot

I am suddenly seeing what I was missing, marveling at the explosive possibility of interacting in these discussions. I didn't realize how organic the interactions can be. I only had to make one comment, read the response and then follow up, and all of a sudden I was learning unexpected things.

William

Rebind Reader

I've been reading Thus Spoke Zarathustra on Rebind, and it's magical. It's suddenly difficult to imagine reading without having this ongoing discussion where I can ask a hundred questions.

Nishant

Rebind Reader

There are a collection of books that are a little intimidating because I never approached them or spent time with them. Having this guided experienced with great context through video and an AI personality to chat with really helps with that.

Tyler

Rebind Reader

I felt like this was the best parts of a literature course, where you get the knowledge of someone who has really studied the text without the drain of having to write a paper at the end. For me, this is really kind of perfect.

Anne

Rebinder Reader

Rebind’s use of AI to honor and preserve classic literature —and facilitate our appreciation of reading these quintessential texts with personalized analysis—seems like a worthwhile exploration.

Ronit Novak

The Grain