In her new book, Elaine Pagels delves into the narrative origins of Jesus's miracles, exploring their impact on faith within Judaism and Christianity. The article discusses the philosophical perspective of Abraham Joshua Heschel, who advocates for a concept called "radical amazement"—a way to find the divine in everyday life. The discussion highlights the tension between rational understanding and belief in miracles, with reference to Thomas Jefferson's rejection of miraculous elements in scripture. Ultimately, Pagels invites readers to engage more deeply with religious texts, questioning the interpretation of miracles as either literal or symbolic.
Elaine Pagels examines how the narratives of Jesus's miraculous acts shaped belief, focusing on their place in understanding faith across Judaism and Christianity.
Radical amazement, as described by Abraham Joshua Heschel, helps reconcile rationalism with a sense of the divine that infuses everyday life with meaning.
The tension between belief in miracles and rational understanding raises questions about faith's authenticity, suggesting that a faith devoid of miracles lacks depth and challenge.
Pagels probes the implications of miracles in scripture, questioning whether they should be read literally or symbolically, thus inviting deeper engagement with religious texts.
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