The Gospels of Mary: The Secret Tradition of Mary Magdalene, the Companion of Jesus - Softcover

Meyer, Marvin W.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 006083451X ISBN 13: 9780060834517

Publisher: HarperOne, 2006

Synopsis

Mary Magdalene, Jesus's Closest Disciple

Marvin Meyer, one of the foremost scholars of the Gnostic Gospels:

• translates and introduces the Gnostic and New Testament texts that together reveal the story and importance of Mary Magdalene

• includes new translations of the Gospels of Mary, Thomas, Philip, and related texts about Mary Magdalene

• discloses, with Esther A. De Boer, the long-suppressed story of Mary's vital role in the life of Jesus and in the formative period after his crucifixion

• presents as authentically as possible the real Mary Magdalene

About this title

Review:

One of the foremost scholars on Gnosticism now explores the fascinating and often misinterpreted woman known as Mary Magdalene. Following the recent whirl of interest in Mary Magdalene that was generated by The Da Vinci Code, Marvin Meyer (The Ancient Mysteries) delves into the earliest texts available to reveal a disciple of great spiritual maturity who was extremely influential in the survival of Christianity. Although he is doubtful of the grand conspiracies laid out in The Da Vinci Code, Meyers does believe that it was institutionalized sexism that caused Mary to be deliberately "marginalized" as a prostitute in the New Testament. "The portrait of Mary in literature and art as a reformed whore is impressive, but it is mistaken in terms of historical accuracy and literary interpretation," he asserts. "...It was not until the late sixth century that Po! pe Gregory the Great formally identified Mary Magdalene with the prostitute of Luke 7, and the identification stuck." In fact, Meyer claims that there is no convincing documentation to link Mary with the unnamed prostitute who washes Jesus' feet with her tears. Using his scholarly authority as well as extensive research supplied by Esther A. De Boer, Ph.D. (Mary Magdalene: Beyond the Myth), he helps Mary emerge from the shadows of Orthodox Church and gain her rightful place as the highly influential disciple and apostle of Jesus. He believes that Mary had a physical love relationship with Jesus, and was probably the mysterious "beloved" disciple that is mentioned in the Gospel of John. Furthermore, he believes that Jesus may have seen Mary as the most spiritually evolved disciple. Much of the book includes quotes and interpretations of the earliest literary sources available, including the recently discovered Gospel of Mary (written in the second century), as well as the Gospels of Mark, Matthew, Luke, John, Peter, Thomas, and Phillip. --Gail Hudson

About the Author:

Marvin Meyer is one of the foremost scholars on early Christianity and texts about Jesus outside the New Testament. He is Griset Professor of Bible and Christian Studies at Chapman University in Orange, California. Among his recent books are The Gospel of Judas, The Gnostic Gospels of Jesus, The Gospels of Mary, The Gospel of Thomas, and The Nag Hammadi Scriptures.

Esther A. De Boer, Ph.D., is the author of Mary Magdalene: Beyond the Myth.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperOne
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 006083451X
• ISBN 13: 9780060834517
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 144