The Gnostic Gospel of Mary

[_madeleine]

In catholic tradition, east and west, Mary Magdalene is called "the apostle to the apostles" and "friend of God". "Apostle", meaning "one who is sent". She was sent to the twelve to inform them of the Resurrection of Jesus.

by the way, it is this "friend of God" who is my avatar...she being my patron Saint. :-) The best "theology", if you can call it that, on Mary Magdalen I've seen is in a prayer, by St. Anselm. http://feastofsaints.com/anselmmarymag.htm

[_Yoda]

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!

Mary was in a unique situation. Her husband was Christ, so yes, she was worshiping him. That doesn't mean that she was thought less of by him, though. She had not been exalted yet. (OK, I am invoking LDS doctrine, here. LOL)

I think the more stirring part of what is written is the amount of trust he places in her, and the fact that he puts her in the position of instructing the other apostles. This, to me, is very telling.

[_zeezrom]

I agree this text gives a potentially unique glimpse into the personal life of Jesus. That alone is enough to give us great pleasure in pondering and consideration.

But the fact remains that their married relationship must have SUCKED.

Hopefully, Mary exalted herself really quickly in heaven so she could gain a little independence and respect for herself.

If she were my daughter, I'd tell her to go marry someone else that would treat her as her equal.

[_ludwigm]

Robert Graves in his "King Jesus" handles the topic.

The novel treats Jesus not as the son of God, but rather as a philosopher with a legitimate claim to the Judaean throne through Herod the Great, as well as the Davidic monarchy; and treats numerous Biblical stories in an unorthodox manner.

Graves wrote the story from the perspective of an official living in the time of Domitian. The novel opens with the statement, "I, AGABUS the Decapolitan, began this work at Alexandria in the ninth year of the Emperor Domitian and completed it at Rome in the thirteenth year of the same." The novel consists primarily of dialogues between the prophets and other people of the story told by the Roman hagiographer. It begins with the reign of Herod before Jesus is born and explains in a style the dynastical, quasi-secular roots of Jesus both from his mother's and his father's side, establishing a dual while terrenal - temporal- right to the throne of Israel. The second part starts with Nativity and Jesus's youth. Finally, the third part chronicles Jesus's work in adulthood as a prophet, his death on the cross, and his resurrection.

In a "Historical Commentary" published at the end of the book Robert Graves remarks, concerning the books historical basis, "A detailed commentary written to justify the unorthodox views contained in this book would be two or three times as long as the book itself, and would take years to complete; I beg to be excused the task ...[but]...I undertake to my readers that every important element in my story is based on some tradition, however tenuous, and that I have taken more than ordinary pains to verify my historical background"

I don't quote excerpts. Read the book!

It is worth of.

[_Yoda]

Robert Graves in his "King Jesus" handles the topic.

The novel treats Jesus not as the son of God, but rather as a philosopher with a legitimate claim to the Judaean throne through Herod the Great, as well as the Davidic monarchy; and treats numerous Biblical stories in an unorthodox manner.

Graves wrote the story from the perspective of an official living in the time of Domitian. The novel opens with the statement, "I, AGABUS the Decapolitan, began this work at Alexandria in the ninth year of the Emperor Domitian and completed it at Rome in the thirteenth year of the same." The novel consists primarily of dialogues between the prophets and other people of the story told by the Roman hagiographer. It begins with the reign of Herod before Jesus is born and explains in a style the dynastical, quasi-secular roots of Jesus both from his mother's and his father's side, establishing a dual while terrenal - temporal- right to the throne of Israel. The second part starts with Nativity and Jesus's youth. Finally, the third part chronicles Jesus's work in adulthood as a prophet, his death on the cross, and his resurrection.

In a "Historical Commentary" published at the end of the book Robert Graves remarks, concerning the books historical basis, "A detailed commentary written to justify the unorthodox views contained in this book would be two or three times as long as the book itself, and would take years to complete; I beg to be excused the task ...[but]...I undertake to my readers that every important element in my story is based on some tradition, however tenuous, and that I have taken more than ordinary pains to verify my historical background"

I don't quote excerpts. Read the book!

It is worth of.

Thanks for the recommendation! I am intrigued. I willl see if I can download it on iBooks, Nook, or Kindle apps on my iPad.

[_harmony]

If she were my daughter, I'd tell her to go marry someone else that would treat her as her equal.

There was no "someone else" who would treat her like an equal. Women were things, barely human.

[_Yoda]

If she were my daughter, I'd tell her to go marry someone else that would treat her as her equal.

There was no "someone else" who would treat her like an equal. Women were things, barely human.

Exactly. They were brood mares, and little more. That is why the writing is so intrituing to me.

[_zeezrom]

True. God may have performed as a husband "better" than the status quo. That's pretty damn great. I'm being sincere. It really is great to find a text portraying God treating a woman with more respect than all the other mortals around.

But why not a God that throws ALL social crap out the window and treats her perfectly? Isn't God perfect?

[_Milesius]

The Gospels are history. By way of contrast, the Gnostic Gospel of Mary is Mary Sue type fanfiction.

[_Yoda]

The Gospels are history. By way of contrast, the Gnostic Gospel of Mary is Mary Sue type fanfiction.

How did you come to that conclusion?