Perhaps no figure in biblical scholarship has been the subject of more controversy and debate than Mary Magdalene. Also known as Miriam of Magdala, Mary Magdalene was considered by the apostle John to be the founder of Christianity because she was the first witness to the Resurrection. In most theological studies she has been depicted as a reformed prostitute, the redeemed sinner who exemplifies Christ's mercy. Today's reader can ponder her role in the gospels of Philip, Thomas, Peter and Bartholomew - the collection of what have come to be known as the Gnostic gospels rejected by the early Christian church. Mary's own gospel is among these but until now it has remained unknown to the public at large. Orthodox theologian Jean-Yves Leloup's translation of the Gospel of Mary from the Coptic and his thorough and profound commentary on this text are presented here for the first time in English. The gospel text and the spiritual exegesis of Leloup together reveal unique teachings that emphasise the eminence of the divine feminine and an abiding love of nature over the dualistic and ascetic interpretations of Christianity presented elsewhere. What emerges from this important source text and commentary is a renewal of the sacred feminine in the Western spiritual tradition and a new vision for Christian thought and faith throughout the world.
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There are some fascinating glimpses at gender politics between the earliest followers of Jesus and the enigmatic personage of Mary Magdalene. -- KJ, Napra ReView, May/June 2002
About the Author
Jean-Yves Leloup is the founder of the Institute of Other Civilization Studies and the International College of Therapists. His other books include Absurdity and Grace, Lack and Fullness, and a commentary on the Gospel of Thomas. He lives in France.
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135 of 140 people found the following review helpful
By Peter Kenney
Format:Paperback
It is always interesting to look at the scriptures which were rejected by the early church leaders. In this instance it seems that two of the more threatening elements are probably the special emphasis placed on the Presence to be discovered and allowed to grow within us as well as the central position accorded to Mary Magdalene.
The format of the text is done in a highly readable style. You don't have to be an academic to understand it. The commentary is particularly good. The author highlights both the unique aspects of this gospel and also its similarities to the four canonical Gospels. Anyone interested in learning more about Mary Magdalene and the development of early Christianity will enjoy reading THE GOSPEL OF MARY MAGDALENE.
37 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Part of the fascination for this book comes from the fact that it is one of those (many) gospels that didn't make it into the canon of (only) four that we've come to know. The other is, of course (in the days of Dan Brown and teh Da Vinci code), that it has to do with Mary Magdalene. However, those seeking some enlightenment on the relationship between Jesus and Mary in the tone of gossip magazines, be warned - this book is not for you.
The book is in fact highly complex, which is small wonder as the text of the gospel itself is very short and then only fragmentary. Leloups tries to explain the message of the fragment, and does this admirably well, including diagrams. At times I had the feeling that he was using the text only as point of departure for his own religous musings, which is why I deducted one star. Also, the diagrams were not always clear and often I was not too sure what Leloups was trying to get at.
Apart from these slight criticisms, the gospel of Mary Magdalene paints a very interesting and wholly different view of Christianity, a view which will sound strange to most Christian ears. This is both a tribute to the force of Jesus' message and an indication of all that Christianity has left behind in the course of its development.
Surprisingly, the book has the original koptic text facing a prose translation. While I don't pretend to even be able to understand the koptic, this does give the reader a certain feeling of authority over the text and adds to the authenticity - a nice touch that.
Despite its difficulties this is a book well worth reading if you are interested in early Christian texts, what Christianity might have been and the books that didn't make it into the canon. If you are not that committed to these questions then just reread the gospel according to St. John and bear in mind that the (unnamed) disciple Jesus loved most is probabaly Mary Magdalene and that this gospel therefore is a later and 'purified' gospel of Mary Magdalene.
38 of 43 people found the following review helpful
By calmly
Format:Paperback
Given the relative neglect of Mary Magdalene by the orthodox Church, her role for the Cathars, and given that this gospel's text intrigues me, a helpful commentary of this Gospel would be welcome.
It's not this one: the commentary is mostly LeLoup's advice, not particularly gnostic and not focused so much on this gospel. There seems to be little attention to any relevant conditions of the times when the Gospel was written. At times the commentary sounds like pop psychology. I'm afraid I didn't learn anything from Leloup's commentary.
Fortunely, an outstanding commentary on the Gospel of Mary exists: "The Gospel of Mary of Magdala: Jesus and the Woman Apostle" by Karen King of Harvard Divinity School.
It's not this one: the commentary is mostly LeLoup's advice, not particularly gnostic and not focused so much on this gospel. There seems to be little attention to any relevant conditions of the times when the Gospel was written. At times the commentary sounds like pop psychology. I'm afraid I didn't learn anything from Leloup's commentary.
Fortunely, an outstanding commentary on the Gospel of Mary exists: "The Gospel of Mary of Magdala: Jesus and the Woman Apostle" by Karen King of Harvard Divinity School.
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Mary Magdalen
The friend to whom I sent this was delighted.She will lend me the book,and then I can comment.I can only say htta my friend received it swiftly and is pleased.
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. S. A. Charlewood
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing
This book was absolutely amazing. The interpretation which accompanies this highly spiritual text provides a fantastig insight both from the theological and psychological point of... Read more
Published 5 months ago by stella
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Gospel of Mary Magdalene by Jean Yves Le Loup
Although it is a short Gospel it provides the feminine a place of profound status that has been lost from the Bible. Read more
Published on 16 May 2010 by N. Moss
3.0 out of 5 stars
The secret remains unmoved - Thank goodness.
Given the extraordinary hype and semi-delerious corpus of literature generated by the Gospel of Mary Magdalene (some of it entering the stratospheric realms), this is a fairly... Read more
Published on 15 Aug 2009 by J. G. Knebel
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Interesting Insight
This book presents an interesting journey of discovery. If you are Christian & never questioned why women are valued less then men in most religions, then let this be the first... Read more
Published on 28 July 2009 by Mr. E. Holness
1.0 out of 5 stars
What a load of tosh!!!
Gospel??? Pure fiction an distortion. Talking about taking out of context. The absence of any attempt at highlighting the 'true words' to extricate fantasy makes the whole book... Read more
Published on 6 Dec 2007 by K. L. Diong
5.0 out of 5 stars
A heartfelt communion between Jesus and Magdalene
This is a book that you will not wish to lend to your friends, because it is one that will not be returned. Read more
Published on 3 Dec 2007 by Kim
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant-excellent link to Course in Miracles, Gary Renard etc
I am thorougthly enjoying this book and can sincerely recommend it to anyone who is insterested in the spiritual quest.
Published on 29 Aug 2006 by Dr. Mary F. Hunt
5.0 out of 5 stars
enlightened
This gosple reveals an insight into the true gender politics within the early christian church, in this gosple Mary is a companion to Christ and a chief disciple, she is very... Read more
Published on 20 Aug 2006 by simo
5.0 out of 5 stars
i liked this
I think the people buying the book now,many of them will have read the davinci code and want to look further into the subject(maybe not). Read more
Published on 19 Aug 2006 by mikey
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