The Gnostic Gospel of Mary

[_moksha]

What, exactly did you find distasteful? It sounded to me like Jesus entrusted Mary a great deal. She was, basically "second in command" of his mission, which is why Peter, in particular, wasn't happy.

I am uncertain about the wife or second in command. Could be that she was beloved because in the Jewish tradition, she would have been the least among the hierachy of Apostles. Perhaps Jesus saw through this into the reality of the greatness paradox.

[_Kishkumen]

What, exactly did you find distasteful? It sounded to me like Jesus entrusted Mary a great deal. She was, basically "second in command" of his mission, which is why Peter, in particular, wasn't happy.

You mean she outranked Peter as Jesus' righthand person.

[_Yoda]

I re-read the quoted text in the OP. I would like to point to the following verses:

Ch 5, vv 3 & 9
Ch 9, vv 8

Under the assumption that Jesus was married to the woman referenced above, we see that she is nowhere near his equal. This really sucks! This is likely the reason men have hidden any idea of a married God from us. We end up with two "unfavorable" options:

A. God is equal with her husband
B. the wife of God is an eternal servant to her husband

It is very difficult for society to grasp the opinion that God is a woman with a husband.

Let's take a look at these verses. I am obviously interpreting them differently.

This is Chapter 9, verse 8:

8. But if the Savior made her worthy, who are you indeed to reject her? Surely the Savior knows her very well.

(bold emphasis mine) Is it the bolded portion that you take issue with, Zee? I suppose the reason this wording did not bother me is that I considered the time period it was written in. Andrew is speaking to Peter, and is actually admonishing him for not accepting Mary's authority to instruct the other brethren. I interpreted "made her worthy" to mean that Christ had chosen to give Mary that authority.

Let's take a look at the other verses you mentioned:

2) Then Mary stood up, greeted them all, and said to her brethren, Do not weep and do not grieve nor be irresolute, for His grace will be entirely with you and will protect you.

3) But rather, let us praise His greatness, for He has prepared us and made us into Men.

4) When Mary said this, she turned their hearts to the Good, and they began to discuss the words of the Savior.

5) Peter said to Mary, Sister we know that the Savior loved you more than the rest of woman.

6) Tell us the words of the Savior which you remember which you know, but we do not, nor have we heard them.

7) Mary answered and said, What is hidden from you I will proclaim to you.

8. And she began to speak to them these words: I, she said, I saw the Lord in a vision and I said to Him, Lord I saw you today in a vision. He answered and said to me,

9) Blessed are you that you did not waver at the sight of Me. For where the mind is there is the treasure.

10) I said to Him, Lord, how does he who sees the vision see it, through the soul or through the spirit?

11) The Savior answered and said, He does not see through the soul nor through the spirit, but the mind that is between the two that is what sees the vision and it is

I think we have to look at the verses in context with the rest of the text in order to understand them rather than cherry pick them. First of all, let us look at verse 2:

2) Then Mary stood up, greeted them all, and said to her brethren, Do not weep and do not grieve nor be irresolute, for His grace will be entirely with you and will protect you.

Mary is addressing the brethren, offering comfort, and also being very matter-of-fact in instructing them, and bringing them a message given to her by the Lord.

Verse 3, one of the verses you were concerned about,

3) But rather, let us praise His greatness, for He has prepared us and made us into Men.

Here, Mary is remarkably speaking in a more broader sense. She is referring to Christ being the creator of all mankind when referring to her comment about "prepared us and made us into Men." And yes, she is praising his greatness because He is the Savior. She is teaching the brethren about the significance of the resurrection.

Verse 9, the other verse which concerned you:

9) Blessed are you that you did not waver at the sight of Me. For where the mind is there is the treasure.

This verse is the Savior talking to Mary. He is appearing to her in a vision. He is praising her for her faith in believing the vision, and not second guessing herself.

It is very difficult for society to grasp the opinion that God is a woman with a husband

I think that, because Christianity is so widespread, particularly in the US, you are probably correct. Ironically, there was a time period where the Goddess was more revered, and there are religions supporting that whole storyline. I would say that would be great material for another thread! I would be interested in any study you do regarding it.

[_Yoda]

What, exactly did you find distasteful? It sounded to me like Jesus entrusted Mary a great deal. She was, basically "second in command" of his mission, which is why Peter, in particular, wasn't happy.

You mean she outranked Peter as Jesus' righthand person.

Yes, I think that is apparent, at least, according to these Gnostic works. I believe that is probably one of the main reasons that mainstream Christianity finds them heretical.

[_MCB]

Lix, the possibility that Mary Magdalene was more important in Jesus' ministry than we can see in the Canon of Scripture is not heresy. It is "only" a cause of scandal, in the assumptions that there was a sexual relationship. As BY did. And we know what kind of a**hole he was.

[_Kishkumen]

This is Chapter 9, verse 8:

8. But if the Savior made her worthy, who are you indeed to reject her? Surely the Savior knows her very well.

(bold emphasis mine) Is it the bolded portion that you take issue with, Zee? I suppose the reason this wording did not bother me is that I considered the time period it was written in. Andrew is speaking to Peter, and is actually admonishing him for not accepting Mary's authority to instruct the other brethren. I interpreted "made her worthy" to mean that Christ had chosen to give Mary that authority.

Of course, according to the teachings of the Gospel of Philip, making Mary worthy would mean, essentially, making her spiritually male in some way.

[Guest]

Of course, according to the teachings of the Gospel of Philip, making Mary worthy would mean, essentially, making her spiritually male in some way.

Once people let go of sexuality, gender becomes much less important. So, yes. I think males are also somewhat that way, too. Less sexuality, more genderless in behavior.

You know, celibate males don't need a woman to do their ironing, cooking, housecleaning, etc.

[_Yoda]

Of course, according to the teachings of the Gospel of Philip, making Mary worthy would mean, essentially, making her spiritually male in some way.

Yes!

Again, I know that we are dealing with an aspect that insults Zee's sensibilities here, and I understand that.

I just find it really intriguing that there is an ancient text which places women in a more dominant role in a male-dominant society.

[_Yoda]

Lix, the possibility that Mary Magdalene was more important in Jesus' ministry than we can see in the Canon of Scripture is not heresy. It is "only" a cause of scandal, in the assumptions that there was a sexual relationship. As BY did. And we know what kind of a**hole he was.

Just saw this! I agree!

[_zeezrom]

Yes! :biggrin:

Again, I know that we are dealing with an aspect that insults Zee's sensibilities here, and I understand that.

I can't exactly put my finger on it. Maybe it was a certain tone that I picked up from the text. It spoke to me in a way that sounded as if Mary were worshiping her husband. That sucks!

I just find it really intriguing that there is an ancient text which places women in a more dominant role in a male-dominant society.

I suppose it is a baby step.