Gospel of Mary of Magdala

The Gospel of Mary of Magdala: Jesus and the First Woman Apostle

by Karen L. King
Santa Rosa: Polebridge Press, 2003

Reviewed by Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur

Karen L. King is a Professor of Ecclesiastical History at Harvard University Divinity School. In "The Gospel of Mary of Magdala: Jesus and the First Woman Apostle," she turns her attention to deciphering the importance of this early piece of Christian literature. The Gospel of Mary was written early in the second century A.D. but then "disappeared for over fifteen hundred years until a single, fragmentary copy . . . came to light in the late nineteenth century." Additional fragments were discovered in 1917 and 1983. The first six pages and an additional four pages from the middle of the gospel are missing. The few pages that have been found provide a very different picture of early Christianity than that which has come down to us through the established canon. King's purpose in publishing this work is not to undermine the tradition of scripture, but rather to provide a better understanding of the forces at work that helped shape early Christianity.

The entire gospel takes place after the resurrection of Jesus. He has appeared to the disciples one last time, instructing them regarding the nature of sin. Jesus tells them that sin comes from people not recognizing their true spiritual nature and instead focusing on the things of this world. After this final teaching, he directs them to go out and preach his word, and then he departs. The disciples are left, but instead of rushing out to preach, they fear for their lives. Mary Magdalene is the only one who remains steadfast and she seeks to comfort the others. Peter asks her to share any of Jesus' teaching that she alone might possess. Mary relates a vision that she had in which Jesus described the soul's departure from this world and the powers that would attempt to stop it from ascending to its final resting place. As she finishes her account, her testimony is attacked by Peter and Andrew. Peter declares that Jesus would not have given such information to a woman and that he would not have chosen her over the male disciples. Andrew questions the teaching because it appears "strange." Levi ultimately comes to her defense.

King offers a comparative study of the "Gospel of Mary." She looks at the other gospel writings, the letters of Paul, and other early Christian writings that have come to light. She also delves into the cultural framework of the day. She discusses the sources that the writer of "The Gospel of Mary" may have had at his or her disposal and the questions that the writer may have been trying to answer. In light of the male-dominated Church that has existed for most of the past two millennia, an interesting facet is the position of women as leaders. "By supporting Mary, the 'Gospel of Mary' makes it clear that leadership is to be based upon spiritual achievement rather than on having a male body."

It is also interesting to note that in a time before the Nicene Creed existed, the gospel was associated to Mary in order to claim apostolic authority for its teachings, much as the other gospel literature of the first and second centuries came to be ascribed to apostles or their followers."

"The Gospel of Mary" is interesting reading. It gives the reader a better impression of early Christianity as a fluid organism in development. These were people truly struggling to understand the Lord's teachings and how best to carry out his directives. The Church of today has much more in common with early Christianity than we might expect.

Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur is editor of The Spiritual Woman Newsletter and author of Letters to Mary from a Young Mother(iUniverse, 2004). She has a Master of Arts in Applied Theology from Elms College.


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