Mary Magdalene: Beyond the Myth

by Esther A. de Boer, John Bowden (Translator)

Much has been written recently about Mary Magdalene, mostly about who she was not. She was not the sister of Martha. She was not the fallen woman who was raised up again by Jesus. She was not the prostitute who repented and did penance for the rest of her life. The picture of Mary Magdalene cherished by the ages, which emphasized her sexuality and suppressed her weakness, lies in shreds. Who really was Mary Magadalene? The living woman behind the image is still too little known and Esther de Boer here attempts to fill this gap. Examining not only the Gospel texts and texts from the church fathers, but also examining texts discovered in the Egyptian desert during the last century that were not contained in the church's tradition (not least of which is the Gospel of Mary), de Boer presents a vivid, fascinating and attractive picture of Mary of Magdala disciple, apostle, and human being. Esther de Boer studied theology at the Free University of Amsterdam and is now a minister of the Dutch Reformed Churches in Ouderkerk aan de Amstel.

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Esther de Boer is professor in New Testament at the Protestant Theological University (Kampen). She is internationally known for her books on Mary Magdalene in biblical and extra-biblical texts.

Reviews

[Leonor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um estudo extraordinário sobre a figura de Maria Madalena, assente nas escrituras, na história, na sociologia. Uma das personagens mais controversas e mais mal lidas da nossa Biblia, frequentemente mal encaixada na história e com o lastro (erradíssimo) da mulher pecadora.
É fascinante seguir os passos ao que é possível saber-se desta mulher oriunda de Magdala, uma verdadeira discípula num tempo em que nenhuma mulher poderia ousar sê-lo e uma verdadeira apóstola num tempo em que ouvir uma mulher era impensável. Surpreendente descobrir que em 1896, um estudioso a deambular pelo Cairo, tropeçou num texto, hoje exposto em Berlim, a que foi dado o nome de Códice Berolinense e que inclui, entre outros, o Evangelho segundo Maria. Olhar para esse texto com os olhos da história e da fe é algo de extraordinário.

[Emma Kizer · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5

I liked the idea, but unfortunately, this was extremely boring. It was a short book, but I think it could’ve been even shorter.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I rarely quit a book without finishing it, unless I quit early on. I quit this book on page 93 (of 124).

[Kwana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enlightening, but not in the way I expected. I now have more questions and am going down the rabbit hole in my own search and quest!! There is so much we don't know but this read has explained much about the thought of the earliest followers that has been lost simply bc we do not live in that culture, day & time or speak their languages. A must read.

[Miekje1402 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mooi boekje over onderzoek naar de echte Maria Magdalena, naar de vrouw achter de mythes, dogma's en verhalen. Gedegen onderzoek brengt een vrouw aan het licht die mij misschien nog wel meer inspireert dan de mythes die haar omringen. Dit boekje maakt haar tot de Mens die ze was. Aanrader!