Gospel of Mary: Listening to the Beloved Disciple [Paperback]

The Gospel Of Mary: Beyond A Gnostic And A Biblical Mary Magdalene by Esther A. De Boer (Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement Series: T. & T. Clark Publishers) Two basic viewpoints are usually distinguished in recent scholarly work on the Biblical and Gnostic Mary Magdalene: (1) Gnostic authors have constructed a Gnostic Mary Magdalene using the biblical portrait of her as a vehicle for Gnostic teaching, and, (2) biblical authors neglected the important role of Mary Magdalene, of which Gnostic authors preserved evidence. In addition, on the one hand the Gnostic Mary Magdalene is valued as a female apostolic leader, as an advocate of women and of egalitarian discipleship, and as a revealer of Gnostic insights. On the other hand, scholars point to the specific dualism, and the subsequently negative female imagery in Gnostic writings, and reject a positive evaluation of the Gnostic Mary Magdalene.

To be able to evaluate these different viewpoints on the Gnostic Mary Magdalene, the present study focuses on the Gospel of Mary, which is considered to be the most important early witness to the esteem of Mary Magdalene in Gnostic circles. Boer investigates the following aspects:

1. The dualism involved in the Gospel of Mary: is it a specific Gnostic dualism and does it contain a negative use of female imagery?

2. Mary's teaching in the Gospel of Mary: what is the specific content of her teaching?

3. The Gospel of Mary's view on Mary Magdalene; does this gospel advocate the apostolic leadership of women, an egalitarian discipleship and a non-hierarchical way of being the church?

4. The portrayals of Mary Magdalene in the Now Testament Gospels: to what extent can the portrayal of Mary Magdalene in the Gospel of Mary, her relation to the Saviour, her position among the disciples, her function in the story, be understood from the New Testament Gospels?

By addressing these questions Boer contributes to the present debate about the Gnostic Mary Magdalene. The study begins with an introduction to the Gospel of Mary. It goes into its three incomplete manuscripts of the Gospel of Mary, the provenance of the original document, its date and composition, the persons in the story and the identification of Mary as Mary Magdalene. The chapter also provides a new translation of the nine pages from the Coptic manuscript, followed by a study of the meaning of the Gospel of Mary, and of the definition of the term `Gnostic'.

Next Boer examines the purpose of and the dualism in the Gospel of Mary and the question whether it is to be seen as a Gnostic document. Boer focuses on the author's portrayal of Mary Magdalene in the Gospel of Mary. What is her relation to the Saviour, what is her position among the disciples and what is her function in the story? The author speaks from the viewpoint of Peter, of Andrew, of Levi, of the Savior, and of Mary herself. Through the interaction of these views, through the extra knowledge and view of the narrator and dialogic structure, through Mary's teaching and through certain indications in the text, Boer examines the development of the plot in which the author's view of Mary Magdalene becomes apparent.

To be able to investigate the origin of the portrayal of Mary Magdalene in the Gospel of Mary an examination of the New Testament Gospels is elaborated, since they contain the earliest written material on Mary Magdalene. First Boer studies the portrayal of Mary Magdalene in the Gospel of Mark. Almost at the end of the Gospel, Mark for the first time declares that a considerable number of women had been following Jesus. What to think of these women? What is their function in Mark's story? And what about Mary Magdalene in their midst? In order to fully consider these questions Boer not only focuses on Mark, but also on the historical situation at the time of the Gospel witness and communities Boer also investigates the Gospels of Matthew and Luke and the Gospel of John, considering their view of women and Mary Magdalene in particular as well as possible historical contexts.

Boer wraps up with an evaluation of the portrayals of Mary Magdalene in the Gospel of Mary and the New Testament Gospels, reflecting on the substantive questions enumerated above.

Did the Church substitute the Virgin Mary for the powerful icon of the Magdalene? It would appear so by the marvelous gnostic wisdom portrayed in this book. Nothing against the Virgin who deserves great honor, but the travesty of slander and pious jealousy strewn upon the path of history towards Mary Magdalene literally brings pain to my soul. Rereading her own words over and over again literally turns on the light inside my heart. The unfortunate backing of the patriarchal force of the Nicean Council only reinforced teachings passed down by Peter and Paul. Mary's teachings should have been presented alongside theirs as a channel of deeper mysteries. Her own take on Jesus Christ as an Apostle and possible intimate companion deserve honor and recognition at last!

If you want two other books on similiar wave-lengths try reading The Woman with the Alabaster Jar by Margaret Starbird and Eclipse of Fate...my healing journey through past-life recall by Barbara Burritt. Both of these books speak about spiritual transformation coming from the nous with two completely different vantage points. Starbird takes the truths of the Magdalene and thouroughly explains the historical clues hidden in the Holy Grail and the sacred feminine teachings stemming from the Magdalene's legend in the south of France. Eclipse of Fate speaks from her first hand knowledge of gnostic truths that are in the Gospel of Mary Magdalene. Burritt took them to task and manifested her own miraculous healing from cancer.

May the sacred feminine speak from our own sub-coscious as the dispensation of the Holy Spirit is just now awakening to her full glory.

› Go to Amazon.com to see both reviews  4.5 out of 5 stars