The Gospel of Mary Magdalene
by Jean-Yves Leloup
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Book Summary Information
Author: Jean-Yves LeloupEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2002-03-30
ISBN: 0892819111
Number of pages: 200
Publisher: Inner Traditions
Book Reviews of The Gospel of Mary Magdalene
Book Review: WHO WAS THE GREATEST APOSTLE?
Summary: 5 Stars
March 15, 2005.
I have amended this review in response to the disrespectful tone and dismissive manner in which some reviewers have chosen to portray Mary Magdalene and her Gospel. There are two basic types of skeptics, the mocker and the doubting Thomas. "Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you". Proverbs 9:8. I am giving Mary's skeptics the benefit of the doubt. They know not what they do. With that said, I offer the following Caveat: Jesus thought very highly of Mary Magdalene. He came to Mary's defense on "numerous" occasions in the mainstream Constantine New Testament. I would think twice before I cast any stones her way. On "one" such occasion the self-serving Judas Iscariot criticised Mary's use of expensive Nard on Jesus as a ritualistic act of Consecration. Judas complained to Jesus that the money from the sale of the expensive perfume could have been given to the poor. However, Judas' true agenda was to steal some of this money for himself and now he wouldn't be able to because of Mary's overzealous attention to Jesus. John then records that Jesus, in no uncertain terms, told Judas to leave Mary alone... John 12:1-7. As he told the angry mob on one occasion, as he told her self-righteous sister Martha on another, and so on.
Attack me if you want. Criticise Leloup if you will. Ridicule alternative histories if you believe everything people in positions of authority have to say. But where Mary Magdalene is concerned I believe it wise that if a person doesn't have anything good to say about her then they should listen to the words of Jesus and "...leave Mary alone".
This book is primarily for those that want to know more about the opinion of the person that was closer to Jesus than anyone else. Jesus left us no writings of his own; and yet so much has been written by others about what they say he said. In this light, shouldn't we read what his most intimate Disciple had to say now that the hand of Providence has brought her and her words to our attention. That the Gospel of Mary Magdalene is brief should be commended, not mocked. Should we mock Moses for only writting down Ten Commandments instead of Fifty? Or should we, like Jesus, make spiritual matters as simple and clear as possible. The greatest commandment is love. Honestly, read this book unless you really don't want to hear what a woman has to say.
The Christian religion has never been monolithic. Even in the 1st Century there were differing opinions about Jesus and his message. Some called him Teacher, Prophet, Master, King, Lord, while others called him blasphemer, heretic, false-prophet, Devil... Peter felt one had to become a Jew, circumcised-etc., before one could become a Christian. Paul felt otherwise. Some claimed they had 'Secret' knowledge where Jesus was concerned, others claimed no such secret existed. "When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. Jesus told them, "The 'secret' of the Kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding;.." Mark 4:10-12. NIV. Could it be that those on the outside fail to see with the eyes of their heart? "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened..." Ephesians 1:18.
A close reading of the existing New Testament reveals that Mary Magdalene was closer to Jesus than any other Disciple. Other than the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene is the "Mary" of the New Testament. Don't let anyone deceive you on this matter. The attempts by much of organized religion, past and present, to lose Mary's identity in the 600+ pages of the New Testament have been thwarted. God's invisible hand has intervened and hidden Mary in plain sight. Though pride cannot see this, humility can. As a result those after God's heart get to watch Mary grow from sinner to Saint. Those that say that Mary could not possibly have been a prostitute betray their own hypocritical natures and/or miss the point entirely. God is telling us that we can change. That we can become close companions of God no matter who we are or what we have done. That we don't have to be the victims of our position in life, nor the prisoner of our base desires. That we can find ourself by losing ourself in God. That to serve God and others is the highest calling, and this calling is available to all. As Job came to realize, we have free choice. As Pope John Paul II often said, the good person suffers for God's sake. A sentiment one does not have to completely concur with to pretty much understand. You might want to see the Pope's Apostolic Letter "Salvifici Doloris" concerning Theodicy, the perennial question of why God allows evil in our world. In a nutshell: "If God only favored the righteous, then righteousness would not be for righteousness sake but for favor. Doing the right thing is its own reward."
THE APOSTLE JOHN CALLED MARY MAGDALENE THE GREATEST APOSTLE.
And yet there are those that go on about the legitimate lineage of a State Sanctioned Apostolic Authority that arbitrarily decided not to recognize the significance of Mary or her Gospel three hundred years after the fact. When the male Apostles were all hiding, Mary Magdalene was present at the crucifixion. Three Centuries later State supported Church leaders, Bishops originally convoked by the Roman Emperor Constantine at what came to be known as the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, were now beginning to all but deny Mary's existence. Fact is, Mary Magdalene witnessed Jesus perform numerous miracles, for others including her brother Lazarus, and for herself. Mary Magdalene had a place reserved for her at the Master's feet by the Master himself. Mary was closer to Jesus than anyone else. Come Hell or high-water, Roman Centurion and his Century or the Devil himself and all his Demons, Mary, unlike the other Apostles, would not leave her post at the tomb of her fallen Lord. She was the first to see the risen Spirit of Jesus. The first to tell others, including the other Apostles. MARY MAGADALENE WAS THE FIRST CHRISTIAN. She had inside information concerning Jesus and his most private thoughts. Some of those thoughts are to be found in this book.
Summary of The Gospel of Mary Magdalene
Restores to the forefront of the Christian tradition the importance of the divine feminine
? The first complete English-language translation of the original Coptic Gospel of Mary, with line-by-line commentary
? Reveals the eminence of the divine feminine in Christian thought
? Offers a new perspective on the life of one of the most controversial figures in the Western spiritual tradition
Perhaps no figure in biblical scholarship has been the subject of more controversy and debate than Mary Magdalene. Also known as Miriam of Magdala, Mary Magdalene was considered by the apostle John to be the founder of Christianity because she was the first witness to the Resurrection. In most theological studies she has been depicted as a reformed prostitute, the redeemed sinner who exemplifies Christ's mercy. Today's reader can ponder her role in the gospels of Philip, Thomas, Peter, and Bartholomew--the collection of what have come to be known as the Gnostic gospels rejected by the early Christian church. Mary's own gospel is among these, but until now it has remained unknown to the public at large.
Orthodox theologian Jean-Yves Leloup's translation of the Gospel of Mary from the Coptic and his thorough and profound commentary on this text are presented here for the first time in English. The gospel text and the spiritual exegesis of Leloup together reveal unique teachings that emphasize the eminence of the divine feminine and an abiding love of nature over the dualistic and ascetic interpretations of Christianity presented elsewhere. What emerges from this important source text and commentary is a renewal of the sacred feminine in the Western spiritual tradition and a new vision for Christian thought and faith throughout the world.
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