The Complete Idiot's Guide to Mary Magdalene

by Lesa Bellevie

Who was Mary Magdalene, really?

Mary Magdalene plays a prominent role in the Bible, but who was she, really? How did her identity change from an intimate friend of Christ to a prostitute? The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Mary Magdalene explores the woman she was, who she might have been, what we know for a fact, and how the persona of Mary of Magdalene has been interpreted and reinterpreted over the last 2,000 years.
• Offers a balanced, easy-to-follow look at a very controversial subject
• Includes scriptural references throughout and a quick look-up appendix to track mentions of Mary Magdalene, as well as resources and a chronology

Genres: Nonfiction

384 pages, Paperback

First published April 5, 2005

Reviews

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had a long-abiding interest in Mary Magdalene, but not the MM persona painted by the nuns and priests throughout my child-- well, not really THROUGHOUT my childhood, since the women in the Bible were always downplayed anyway. My curiosity was tweaked when I was in my 30s (or 40s?), upon reading Elaine Pagels' THE GNOSTIC GOSPELS, in which this woman who'd been dubbed a sinner/prostitute by the Church was "outed" as one of the apostles! Not a mere disciple. An apostle. Then, sometime later, I read THE WOMAN WITH THE ALABASTER JAR by Margaret Starbird (which is one of the books referred to by Dan Brown in his best-selling THE DA VINCI CODE). I wouldn't say that this Mary is an obsession for me. But she certainly is an interest, a comfort, an inspiration, a source of anger (toward those who sought to obliterate her story) and a huge mystery.

I picked up THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO MARY MAGDALENE to add to my collection of MM books (both fiction and non-fiction) and MM-related music a while back, and it became clear to me that I needed to read it now in preparation for a women's empowerment & creativity retreat I'm planning for Fall 2014. That weekend, Magdalene will be our inspiration, our archetype.

What I love about this book - why I needed to read it in prep for the retreat - is that it covers what is really known about MM, what can/might be surmised based on available facts, what the legends are re MM (& how they might have started; if any part of them hold possible truths), how she's viewed in different faiths and cultures, and lots more. What's more: the author, Lesa Bellevie, is the author of the well-known website, Magdalene.org.

Well written, full of interesting info and insights, and not devoid of a bit of humor either! If you're into MM, or just want to learn a bit about the mystery, myth and facts re her- start with this book. You're likely to move on to more-- and there's an extensive list of suggested reading in this Idiot's Guide to keep you searching for a very long time.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent reference material. Added to my library.

[Romeo Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful information about Mary Magdalene, perfect for basic knowledge!