The Gospel of Mary of Magdala
Jesus and the First Woman Apostle
by Karen L. King
Polebridge Press, 2003
Notes by Travis Simpkins
Academic yet approachable, The Gospel of Mary of Magdala by Karen L. King analyzes the short and unique coptic text that had been lost for 1500 years. This important book adds further understanding of how various touchy concepts were viewed in the context of early Christianity. Professor King, of Harvard's Divinity School, states it best in her introductory pages: "This astonishingly brief narrative presents a radical interpretation of Jesus' teachings as a path to inner spiritual knowledge; it rejects his suffering and death as a path to eternal life; it exposes the erroneous view that Mary of Magdala was a prostitute for what it is- a piece of theological fiction, it presents the most straightforward and convincing argument in any early Christian writing for the legitimacy of women's leadership; it offers a sharp critique of illegitimate power and a utopian vision of spiritual perfection; it challenges our rather romantic views about the harmony and unanimity of the first Christians; and it asks us to rethink the basis for church authority. All written in the name of a woman."
Illuminating dialogue comes from the Gospel text when Jesus proclaims, "Peace be with you! Acquire my peace within yourselves! Be on your guard so that no one deceives you by saying 'Look over here! or Look over there.' For the child of true Humanity exists within you. Follow it! Those who search for it will find it. Go then, preach the good news about the Realm. Do not lay down any rule beyond what I determined for you, nor promulgate law like the lawgiver, or else you might be dominated by it."
Some other meaningful quotes from the text:
- The final goal of salvation is not the resurrection of the body at the end of the age, but the ascent of the soul to God- both in this life by following the savior's teaching, and at death when the bonds between the body and the soul are loosened beyond time and eternity.
- The text was influenced by Platonic and Stoic ideas: Become as Divine as possible. Tend to your immortal soul instead of the pleasures of the physical world.
- Anyone with two ears should listen.
- In the Gospel of Mary the "Son of Man" is the child of true Humanity, the Image of the Divine Realm that exists within every person.
- Soul's ascent: Because of the journey's extreme dangers, it was sometimes held that moral purity and righteousness alone might not be enough. Preparation was necessary to ensure safe passage. Special guidance, revealed knowledge, and ritual signs contributed to the success of the journey.
- The Kingdom is already present. Believers do not need to wait for its coming because it is present in the mission of Jesus and the establishment of the spirit-filled church.
- The Kingdom is already spread out upon the earth, if people only have the spiritual capacity to see it.
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| The Gospel of Mary of Magdala. Karen L. King. Harvard Divinity School |
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| The Gospel of Mary of Magdala. Karen L. King |
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| The Gospel of Mary of Magdala. Karen L. King: Jesus and Mary Magdalene |
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| The Gospel of Mary of Magdala. Karen L. King: Jesus and Mary Magdalene |
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| The Gospel of Mary of Magdala. Karen L. King: Jesus and Mary Magdalene |
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| The Gospel of Mary of Magdala. Karen L. King: Jesus and Mary Magdalene |
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| The Gospel of Mary of Magdala. Karen L. King: The Soul's Ascent |
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| The Gospel of Mary of Magdala. Karen L. King: Jesus and Mary Magdalene |
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| The Gospel of Mary of Magdala. Karen L. King: Mary Magdalene |
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| The Gospel of Mary of Magdala. Karen L. King. Harvard Divinity School |
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| The Gospel of Mary of Magdala. Karen L. King: Mary Magdalene |
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| The Gospel of Mary of Magdala. Karen L. King. Harvard Divinity School |
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| The Gospel of Mary of Magdala. Karen L. King: Mary Magdalene |
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| The Gospel of Mary of Magdala. Karen L. King: Jesus and Mary Magdalene |
