The Origin of Satan

work by Pagels

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July 15, 2026

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Elaine Pagels's work, The Origin of Satan, explores how the figure of Satan developed within Christian tradition, particularly focusing on the tendency to demonize opponents.1

In Abrahamic religions, Satan is understood as an adversary of God, often depicted as a fallen angel who rebelled against the divine. The Hebrew word "Satan" itself means "adversary". In the Bible, Satan is portrayed as testing human goodness and acting as a divine prosecutor.2

In Christianity, Satan evolved into the prince of evil spirits, tempting humanity and opposing God's plan for salvation. This understanding was influenced by dualistic thinking, such as that found in Zoroastrianism, leading to Satan being seen as a counter-god. Pagels's work examines how this demonization of opponents shaped early Christian thought and continues to influence religious discourse.231

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Elaine Pagels
…their way into two books: The Origin of Satan (1995), which discusses the tendency within the Christian tradition to demonize one’s opponents, and Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas (2003), which argues that the Gospel of Thomas—whose composition she dated to the mid-1st century, about a century earlier than…
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…their way into two books: The Origin of Satan (1995), which discusses the tendency within the Christian tradition to demonize one’s opponents, and Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas (2003), which argues that the Gospel of Thomas—whose composition she dated to the mid-1st century, about a century earlier than…
Read More