The Gospel of Mary Magdalene
by Jean-Yves Leloup
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Book Reviews of The Gospel of Mary Magdalene
Book Review: Wishful Thinking Meets Bad Scholarship
Summary: 1 Stars
The actual gospel text contained in this book is rather interesting, if abstruse. But this gospel was probably not written by Mary Magdalene herself or even narrated by her, but only attributed to her -- an issue which the editors pass over entirely, taking the text at face value as a book that contains "authentic" teachings from the actual Mary Magdalene, who received them from the actual Christ upon his resurrection.
As for the editor's interpretation of this gospel, they have simply projected their fantasies onto the text. For example, from a very, very minimal text, the editors have concluded that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married to each other, or if they were not married, they at least had sex with one another. They conclude that Jesus passed his "secret" teachings to Mary Magdalene when he met her outside his tomb upon his resurrection (never having, I guess, gotten around during his lifetime to telling them to his other disciples, including Peter, upon whom Jesus expressly founded his church).
Piling assumption upon assumption, the editors conclude that Christ's "real" church is really to be found in Mary Magdalene's gospel, and not in all those "other" and "later" gospels (like Mark, Luke, etc.)
If I had been a Church Father, I would have burned this book and its authors -- not for heresy, but for bad scholarship and wishful thinking.
Book Review: A clear look at a sometimes confusing text
Summary: 5 Stars
Jean-Yves Leloup has written a stunning commentary on the ancient Gnostic text, The Gospel of Mary. Discovered in the late 1800's and published with the more recently discovered Nag Hammadi Library, The Gospel of Mary has puzzled many readers because of its missing pages and esoteric language. This book will take much of the mystery out of this text for general readers and scholars alike.Most notable, I think, is the translation of "anthropos" as "human" rather than "man." This was a problem with the Gospel of Thomas as well; Jesus and the disciples make comments about women turning into men before they can find the Kingdom of God. At best, these comments were mystifying, and more than a few women found them to be shocking. With this translation, however, Leloup encourages us to think of the comments as meaning that women (and men) must become more spiritually aware before understanding the mysteries of Jesus' teachings.
There is a little bit for everyone in this book, ranging from the original Coptic with facing English translation to an in-depth line by line commentary. It's more than enough to stimulate debate about Christianity's early developments, particularly relating to the authority of women.
Book Review: Beautiful and inspiring.......
Summary: 5 Stars
Think you know everything there is to know about Christianity? Well unless you have read THE GOSPEL OF MARY MAGDALENE, you don't. This book is a translation of the ancient scroll in Coptic Greek found in Egypt-before the Nag Hammadi scrolls were discovered and translated. Mary's gospel was translated by Jean-Yves Leloup into French and then into English by Joseph Rowe, who provides copious notes and footnotes.
The translation has two parts. The first part is a full translation of what remains from the original gospel text by Miriam of Magdala--whom many believe to be Mary Magdalene. The second part includes a section by section translation and commentary.
I enjoyed this book immensely, and found it inspiring and beautiful, reading a little bit every day. Readers of THE ALABASTER JAR will not be disappointed. This text is a message of love and hope from one who was close to 'The Teacher'. The reviewer who discounted the book is blind--in my humble opinion. MM is a devotional in which Mary shares what she experienced with Yeshua whom the apostles called Jesus. She inspires me to repeat her words--"Let he or she who has eyes SEE."
Book Review: Dissapointment!!
Summary: 1 Stars
Hey - everyone - If you get a chance to read this book - do yourself a favor and don't!Save your money and time for better projects. I've never been so disappointed in my life!
This was promoted as part of the Dead Sea Scroll find that had been finally translated.
1 - Translation was first into French and then into English, which might explain many segments of this book that make poor sense or no sense at all. Although why the same exact word has come to be translated 3 different ways, is beyond me. Perhaps, it was not saying what the 'author' meant for it to say? (I am not a great linguist, so this is only my opinion, but 'esprit' as 'heart' as 'spirit' as 'breath' - I can stretch my mind to all these - but as 'head'??)
2 - This 'find' was not a book - the entire found text was not even 4 pages long when I put it together typing. From this, which might have made interesting reading, the 'author/translater' has padded out a book of amazing imaginary mental convolutions.
3 - This 'find' is not even part of the Dead Sea Scroll find. It surfaced in 1896 - in Egypt - no where near Nag Hammadi
<signed> sad and disappointed!
Book Review: After the appetizer, a main course, please.
Summary: 4 Stars
If your interest is gnosticism, as it is mine, and if that interest extends to the Magdalene, as does mine, then after reading LeLoup/Needleman's fine contribution to the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, run, do not walk, to buy Ki Longfellow's The Secret Magdalene: A Novel. In The Secret Magdalene, what you've only tasted here becomes a groaning feast. Mary Magdalene is the "Woman Who Knew the All." Why is she called that? What could "knowing the all" mean? Can you think of any other disciple or follower of Jesus Christ described as such? Can you recall a single pope achieving such heights? Or a TV evangelist, no matter how popular? It seems to me that if the Magdalene knew the all, I'd want to know what she "knew." After all, it's what Christ taught. After all these years of listening to what this church teaches and what that church teaches, I'm really _really_ ready to hear what Christ teaches. Mary knew. And her day comes round again. Which is only Good News for us. Read The Secret Magdalane. You won't be disappointed.