The Gospel of Mary Magdalene - Softcover

"Powerful, almost Taoist in range, this is an important book and should be read by anyone interested in Mary Magdalene or the early Church." * Pamela Crossland, TCM Reviews * "The commentary by Professor LeLoup is beautifully done. He is indeed a scholar of the earth Church." * John Gilbert, The Temple of Gnostic Yoga, December 2003 * "I love this gospel . . . it speaks such truth as the Church desperately needs in these times." * John Gilbert, Ph.D., Gnostic News, December 2003 * "He sets the record straight and provides ample commentary on where the historical records went astray." * New Women New Church, Summer 2003, Vol.26 No.2 * "There are some fascinating glimpses at gender politics between the earliest followers of Jesus and the enigmatic personage of Mary Magdalene. Christians have come to think of her (with no basis in biblical fact) as the repentant prostitute, while to his followers she was the one Jesus loved 'differently from other women.'" * KJ, Napra ReView, May/June 2002 * " . . . the Magdalene's gospel might be embraced by contemporary seekers, both Christian and non-Christian." * Patricia Monaghan, Booklist American Library Association, April 2002 * "One welcomes this solid telling of the story and meaning of a neglected text at the root of Christian wisdom, and of a neglected figure who had a special relationship both with the historical Jesus in his lifetime and with the Christ spirit after the death of Jesus." * Matthew Fox, author of Original Blessing * "Readers will welcome this perceptive translation of the Gnostic 'Gospel of Mary' and the insightful commentary by scholar-mystic Jean-Yves Leloup. The journey of the soul and other profound and subtle teachings of Jesus and his beloved Miriam will enlighten modern seekers." * Margaret Starbird, author of The Woman with the Alabaster Jar * "Leloup's commentary presents a scholarly translation with an inspirational and passionate interpretation. . . . Going beyond the gospels to the laws of the Torah and the philosophical writings of Kant, the author at once discovers the truer meanings of an ancient text and a message as important today as it was two millennia ago." * Steven Sora, author of The Lost Treasure of the Knights Templar * "The Gospel of Mary, taken with the inspired commentary by Jean-Yves Leloup, can help toward making the teaching of Jesus once again alive." * Jacob Needleman, author of Lost Christianity and The American Soul *

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.