Nancy H. reviewed The Gospel of Mary of Magdala: Jesus and the First Woman Apostle on + 55 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Interesting documentation and commentary on words written by Mary Magdalene. Evidence of her as a true apostle.
Cynthia L. (Honeygirl62) -
A fragment copy of the Gospel of Mary first showed up around the late 1800's. This book written by Karen King translates it and even has photocopies of the page fragments. It is divided into 3 parts: Part I. The Gospel if Mary (introduction, translation, etc); Part II. The Savior's Teachng in the Gospel of Mary; and Part III. The Gospel of Mary in Early Christianity. I liked Part I and Part III the best. Part II was complicated for me and a bit over my head, perhaps better suited to a more advanced theology student. I really had to slog through it to finish it.
One of the parts that struck me the most was the reminder that Jesus didn't write about himself and most people (except for a class of elite) did not read or write. Not a lot was written about Jesus and the Disciples while he was alive. Things were passed down for many generations through an oral tradition. Many works like the Gospel of Mary started to be written centuries after the life and death of Jesus. Things weren't written as a historical record of exactly what was said or how, but as a tool by the author to prove his point of view. The book was definitely interesting to read.
One of the parts that struck me the most was the reminder that Jesus didn't write about himself and most people (except for a class of elite) did not read or write. Not a lot was written about Jesus and the Disciples while he was alive. Things were passed down for many generations through an oral tradition. Many works like the Gospel of Mary started to be written centuries after the life and death of Jesus. Things weren't written as a historical record of exactly what was said or how, but as a tool by the author to prove his point of view. The book was definitely interesting to read.
