Rating: 
Summary: a catholics interpretation
Review: Pagels is, by far, one of the worlds best writers on early christian history. She presents, with no bias, a clear and consise picture of the usage of satan in the new testament. Though, probably not for those who are fundementally minded, it is by no means an attack on the faith( I am myself a devout Catholic). It purpose is to show how one Jewish sect( Christianity) demonized another Jewish sect (Rabbinic Judaism) which had ostacized them. This expoeses how a strictly religous argument( anti judasim) became racial( anti semitism) as the churh became more gentile. It also shows how, once the church came to power, it used these same techniques against the Pagans and Gnostics. Another good book on this subect is Who Killed Jesus, by John Dominic Crossan.
Rating: 
Summary: Very good, but lost in the middle
Review: The primary flaw with this book is that it is an attempt to reach two audiences, and as a result fails fully to satisfy either. Fundamentally, I bought Pagels' thesis of the "intimate enemy" and the use of the character Satan as a polemical device, and I enjoyed the same combination of scholarship and clear, concise writing that characterize Pagels' earlier books. The book itself clearly synthesizes both technical scholarship with a general overview of the characters involved in early Christianity (Tertullian, Origen, etc.) to give a good introductory picture of how texts written for a variety of purposes many centuries ago still reverberate in the modern Christian mind.However, this is also the weakness of the book, in that is both too litle scholarship and too little an introduction to this immensely important era. To fully understand Pagels' argument, the reader needs some previous knowledge of the early Church and some understanding of the modern scholarly approach to texts--or else the book comes acoss (as is evident from some of the reviews below) as a nit-picking polemic itself. Likewise, the book inspires many technical questions, specifically about specific Greek terms, which are outside of the popular focus of the book. Simply, this book doesn't stand by itself. This is far from a fatal flaw, but it is a weakness. Anyone who reads this book should be aware that to fully appreciate it, they will need to delve into the books suggsted in Pagels' chapter notes.
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Summary: The Truth Shall Set You Free
Review: Pagel's book is one of the most lucid expositions of early Christianity available to the general reader. In this work she goes step by step through the four cannonical gospels to show how the Christian Devil evolved into a unifying symbol of hatred. Her tretis is not really nuetral, but in light of the Inquisition, the 700 Club, and Bob Larson, nuetrality would be the sign of a numbed psyche. If nothing else, Pagels shows how the concept of Satan in Christianity has marred its message with filth and morbitity. For those Christians still deluded enough to believe literally in the Bible, it would be too much of a shock to read this book. This book is for people who wish to rise above the fear they were subjected to in childhood. (its part of our society. No one escaped it.) It is not for the "faithful".
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting but oddly titled
Review: This is an interesting survey of how the four gospels, and some of "Paul's" letters were written, as well as a basic survey of developments within Christian and quasi-Christian thinking through the second century. Pagels shows how the gospels are embedded in their social and historical situations (especially the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans) and the ways in which the various gospels respond to the growing Jesus movement's strained relations with the Jewish community. Although interesting, there is very little that is new here. Indeed, much of the book is a basic rehashing of received ideas by scholars for some time. Oddly, there is virtually nothing about Satan at all (other than a brief overview of the appearance of the name in the Hebrew Bible). This is certainly not a scholarly investigation of the "origin" of the figure of Satan in the Bible or the culture(s) that produced it. In that sense, it's extremely disappointing. But for anyone unfamiliar with the ways in which the New Testament was written, this can be an easy and interesting introduction to Christian thought.
Rating:
Summary: Misleading Title but an Engaging Read
Review: This book's title is misleading in many ways is a common consensus. The book seems to discuss Satan very little, and the Judeo-Christian culture more, but that is the central truth of the book. How has this culture morphed a seemingly unimportant angel of the old testament, an angel whom appears to be a part of God's heavenly retinue, to the red pitchfork toting demon of present times.
To achieve any sort of historical reliability to her arguments, Pagels utilizes the information that we know about the time frames when Lucifer's aura and appearance have changed. Why did these people feel the need to think differently? What would cause this change? And finally, who would it benefit to have a different view of the Satan/Lucifer being?
While occasionally Pagels style of writing, arrogance and high horse makes the book a hard read, undoubtedly, The Origin of Satan offers a unique and fresh view on the subject. Combined with other commentaries on the subject, The Origin of Satan provides an excellent perspective on the subject of Satan in Christianity.
Rating: 
Summary: Obviously Has an Axe to Grind
Review: Maybe I'm the least qualified to write a review on this, since I couldn't get past page 4. But Pagels obviously has an axe to grind and I'd say she goes to extremes with it. I've got my own axe to grind when it comes to Christians, but even I got digusted by it, and that tells me it's completely overboard. I also believe that the title is misleading, as some other reviews stated. I was looking for a book that would trace the evolution of Satan (and the gods that correspond to him) mythologically and through holy books as a seperate entity. Maybe one of these days I'll be able to see past these two things, (I hope so b/c so many say it's an eye opening book...) but this is just a warning to those of you who are looking to buy this book.
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Summary: MISLEADING TITLE--OBVIOUSLY FOR MARKETING PURPOSES
Review: The author of this book has amazing credentials. The topics covered in this book are primarily oriented towards scriptural comparisons with the traditional four gospels and the Nag Hammadi findings. Further, too much attention is focused on Jesus, and not enough on Old Nick. Of course, had they called this book a textual and historical comparison of the gospels with the Nag Hammadi scriptures, three people would have purchased it. So...they figure to call it the Origin of Satan to bring in the masses. (No pun intended). Wanna read better stuff on the Prince of darkness? Try Jeffrey Burton Russell or Paul Carus. With them ya gets what ya pays for.
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Summary: Eye Opening: An Intersection of History and Faith Tradition
Review: An outstanding work that joins history with the rich Christian faith tradition. A credible work that illustrates the many influences that contributed to the shaping of the most transformational faith tradition the world has seen. She illustrates the politics that shaped the foundations of our current political framework. A must read for any serious truth seeker.
Rating:
Summary: Misleading Title
Review: I found this book via a search through Amazon. I was looking for a real in depth history of the legend and character of satan, his origins and developement through history. I feel the title of the book is misleading as for much of the text it concentrates on the developement of the gospels through history and how they interpret the Jesus story differently, and Satan seems to be a very background figure in the whole thing, barely earning a mention. It is much more a religious/ theological book than a study study of the character of satan, which the title seems to indicate. Having said that, it is an interesting book in it's own right, just not what I was looking for or, I feel, what the title indicates.
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Summary: Reconciliation for everyone in the Divine and Cosmic Drama.
Review: In my opinion, we modern people believe in a so-called human imperative--that is, to separate and elevate ourselves from the "other", be it animal, vegetable, mineral or situational...we love being here on earth, but we can't stand it's growing pains, it seems...everything and everything is an obstacle to win over, a foe to defeat...even if actual danger is only in our imaginations. The more different we are from those "others", the easier it appears to elevate ourselves to, say, for instance, moral superiors, the chosen ones, or gods and goddesses in our own right. This capitalistic/materialistic nation enhances that notion for certain of us. Pagels' study is more like an elucidation of how the snapping twig branch in the woods(telling us to head for the hills because there may be a bear or some wild carnivore there)-the old flight or fight response, if you will--has evolved from fears in the ancient Roman world to this Judeo/Christian, symbolic/semiotic, being/nonbeing (sorry about that) we call Satan today, and what it should mean to believers and nonbelievers. It gives history of how we came to define ourselves based on our enemies, our adversaries, and "the others", and it does so with a near archeological eye. The chapter, "The Enemy Within"--within the individual's soul and the Christian church--is compelling enough to challenge one's true faith and belief. Pagels' work here is extremely thought provoking and the book should be part of everyone's library.
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