The Sacred Embrace of Jesus and Mary: The Sexual Mystery at the Heart of the Christian Tradition

by Jean-Yves Leloup

An examination of how the teachings of Jesus reveal the essential role of sexuality in spiritual growth and transformation

• Shows that Jesus did not come to redeem humanity from the life of the flesh, but to honor it as a spiritual path

• Uses Hebrew, gnostic, and early Christian source texts to reveal the true context of the words attributed to Jesus

• Explores the spiritual and physical relationship shared by Jesus and Mary Magdalene

Of all the major religions, Christianity is the only one that has utterly rejected sexuality as one of the many paths that can lead to enlightenment and salvation. But if Jesus was indeed “the Word made flesh” and serious consideration is given to the mystery of his Incarnation, is it reasonable that physical love would have been prohibited to him?

Drawing from the canonical and apocryphal gospels, the Hebrew esoteric tradition, and gnosticism, Jean-Yves Leloup shows that Jesus did not come to save humanity from the life of the flesh but to save the life of the flesh so that it would truly transfigure all people. Leloup explains that when Saint Paul said it was good to be without women, he did not cite any words of Jesus in support of this contention. In fact, Paul’s statement utterly contradicts the words of God in “It is not good that man should be alone.” Leloup argues that the elimination of the divine feminine and sacred sexuality set in motion by Paul’s words does not reflect the true teachings of Christ, and that the transformation of Jesus into a celibate is the true heresy. His research restores Christ’s true human sexuality and shows it to be a vital part of humanity’s spirituality. Leloup contends that by understanding the sacred nature of the embrace shared by man and woman as a true reflection of humanity made in God’s image, Christianity can again become the powerful path of transfiguration Christ intended.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published February 24, 2006

About the author

Jean-Yves Leloup, an Orthodox theologian, is well known in Europe, North and South America as a popular author on spirituality and psychology. He is the founder of the Institute of Other Civilization Studies and the International College of Therapists. He has written more than fifty books and has also translated and commented the gospels of Thomas, Miriam of Magdala, Philip and John.

Reviews

[Lynn Paterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A journey into discovering what it really means to be fully human - I found this book to be difficult at times to understand but having read it now more than three times, can say that I found it to be an amazing read, full of insights into human/divine nature.

[Isaac George · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantastic followup to "The Gospel of Mary Magdalene." Highly recommend.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoughtful and cerebral read — I was delighted by this book and it’s understanding that to be fully human & therefore fully offering salvation, Jesus was not asexual and could not be. The arguments and their supported research are not only fascinating but very convincing, in my opinion. The logic is solid. I love books that feel like they’re blowing my mind wide open and this is one of those. If you love Christ but find yourself searching for a more authentic and progressive Christianity then has been institutionalized, this is a must read.

[Elyse · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Missing Half of Christianity

Jean-Yves Leloup, a scholar's scholar, meticulously synthesis the three premier gospels deliberately excised by the church "fathers" during the Council of Nicea.

Leloup convincingly describes Jesus' fully expressed humanity through physical love with Mary Magdalene. Agape love is only achieved through Erotic love.

Jesus is seen as a complete human man, the Incarnation of Logos who makes us complete through Love!

[Cindy B. · Rating 1 out of 5]

What malarky!

[MaCayla Hanks Longson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth the read if you are down the rabbit hole with Mary Magdalene like I am.

[Gabrielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Certainly interesting and thoughtful, the arguments here are probably bold for a Catholic priest/theologian, but I was hoping for more. The first chapter outlines the moments in the Gospels where we read about Mary. There are 12 of them. Leloup does not specifically return to the issue of Mary of Magdala until page 125, and there are only 136 pages in his treatise. Hence my low rating of the book. It just doesn't give enough to get me really excited. I do appreciate the compact and poetic nature of this phrase: "...his Teacher chose these women as Witnesses and Revealers of prayer in Spirit and in Truth (the Samaritan,) God's mercy and forgiveness (the adulterer), and finally, resurrection (Miriam of Magdala) indeed, as Revealers of the very essence of what would be called Christianity!" (p. 133).

[Mary Gail O'Dea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an intriguing and lovely book about the deep relationship between Mary Magdalene and Jesus. It might have been sexual, but if so, it was fully integrated into a profoundly spiritual bond.

[João Mestre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um livro sobre a intimidade, o amor o sexo e a beleza entre outras muitas questões. Bem escrito, leve qb e onde surge varias vezes o humor de quem sabe e domina o assunto.