University Libraries Promotion and Tenure Recognition

Others will see the work we do, but each of us must wrestle with why we do our work. Understanding our personal motivation is more important than understanding any detail of our professions. Christianity is an important guiding force in the lives of many people around the world, myself included. It is important to understand the origins of an institution as influential and widespread as the Christianity. Pagels' book provides excellent insight into one face of early Christianity. It is written with the care of a scholarly text, but is accessible to a general audience. I read this book at a time when my view of church and community was growing and changing, and I recall the discussions and insights this book initiated fondly. I hope others will also enjoy it. If we understand our motivations clearly, all else will follow.