Mary Magdalene

by Lynn Picknett

Book Overview

Tradition and history have made of her "the other Mary." Even in the New Testament Mary Magdalene stands among women second only to Mary the Mother, albeit she has been reduced by the biblical Gospels... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786713119
• ISBN13: 9780786713110
• Release Date: December 2003
• Publisher: Basic Books
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.1" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Very Well Writen

Loved it. This book answered alot of questions. I don't believe every thing that was stated, But that is the main reason that i loved this book. It was nice to know that someone is willing to research and publish a book no matter on what people think. I think that is a blessing to know that Mary Magdalene was not the fallen women she was made out to be, but a founder of early christianity. If your a fundmentalist you should have never picked up this book to begin with. My thanks to the author..

seek wisdom and trust not to your own understanding

As with most books that tackle alternative religious thinking, this book seems to be inciting two extreme responses: one condemning the book (the Institutionalized Christian perspective), and the other praising it (the alternative thinking" perspective). And both responses to this book are to be expected. After all, when new ideas are suggested that conflict with entrenched, assumed history, there will always be those who defend the institution and those that refute it. For the curious who have not yet picked up this book, just knowing that this book presents an argument strong enough to invoke the reactions you're reading here should let you know that there is something to this book that will show you there are other well documented perspectives out there than the one traditionally presented in the Western world and by traditional Christianity. After having read many Gnostic texts (the book of Enoch, Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Mary, etc), as well as the biblical ones and other materials, I do believe that Lynn Pickett is on to something here. The institutional church has indeed on occasion rewritten factual history about ideas and biblical characters now assumed to be native to Christianity (See Pope Clement's letter regarding the Secret Gospel of Mark, for an explicit example of how New Testament history has been revised). Gnostic texts, historical works like the Slavonic Josephus, preserved mythological works, and the discoveries of modern archeology offer those of us who choose to not accept the dogma the opportunity to see things from the perspective of the political and religious climate that existed at the time of Yeshua (Jesus) through to the 4th century. As Lynn Picknett asserts, there is overwhelming evidence to support the idea that Jesus was as much influenced by the ancient Egyptian teachings as he was by the Jewish teachings (To see some of the Egyptian roots in Christianity, research the origins of Baptism, the word "Amen", the ankh and the cross, the introduction to the Lord's Prayer, etc). Lynn Picknett does an excellent job at the beginning of this book of describing the means by which the marginalization of Mary of Magdala has had an adverse affect on the rights of women in society and shaped the social foundation of the society in which we live today. Picknett then draws from much of the latest information in biblical scholarship to develop a rather convincing alternative point of view of Mary of Magdala's historical role. Yes, the last few chapters of the book are rife with awkward speculations and shaky ideas. And this book doesn't even BEGIN to tackle the historical origins of the secret societies that are mentioned in this book 'as needed.' But the depth of information proceeding the conclusion are more than enough to warrant a purchase and a read. Die-hard, King-James-bible-toting, Jesus-loving traditionalist will probably be easily disturbed by the information presented in this book and give it a low rating. Und

Excellent book

This truly is an amazing book. It takes the reader on a fascinating and enlightening journey, answering as many questions as it asks. A must for christians and sceptics alike. Anyone with an interest in alternative history will love this book. There's enough factual information, brutal honesty and shocking revelation to keep everyone hooked. I couldn't put it down and when i did, i picked it right back up again. Outstanding.

Controversial, but much researched

Like many another author these days, Lynn Picknett is interested in Mary Magdalene. Who was this Mary and why are there conflicting views of what she might have been? While some see her as the unacknowledged bride of Christ, Picknett suggests MM was an Egyptian priestess schooled in the mystery religions of the time which involved the pracice of 'hieros gamus' or ritual sex. Picknett says MM might have been Jewish as there were plenty of Jews living in Egypt at the time JC is supposed to have lived and preached. So MM could have been both Jewish and a practioner of the Egyptian mystery religion. The New Testament indicates that the `Holy Family' moved to Egypt when JC was quite young, so he too may have become involved in the foreign religion. Picknett uses a variety of sources to make the case that JC was an Egyptian magus, not unlike Simon Magus, and perhaps John the Baptist. The Egyptian religion was preoccupied with life and death unlike the Jewish religion of the time. According to Picknett, the Talmud suggests JC was an itinerant 'Egpytian' preacher leading people astray. In TEMPLAR REVELATIONS, Picknett and her co-author Clive Prince, demonstrated a keen interest in John the Baptist, who was thought to be the `patron' of the Knights Templar. In MM she revisits and expands this theme and re-examines the possible connections between the KT and the Mandaeans of Southern Iraq who practice a Johnnite religion centered on Baptism.At times while reading this book I thought Pickett stretched her material a bit thin to make a point. On the other hand, she raises some conflicting, disturbing and unresolved notions such as why does New Testament writing depict JC as both the advocate of the meek and mild (more feminine), and the hot tempered fellow who wrecked the Temple in Jerusalem and cursed the fig tree (more masculine)? Could it be that JC's followers combined the Johnnite message of LOVE with that of the militant JC after John died? Most disturbing of all, Picknett suggests the JC followers may have had a role in John's demise. Leonardo da Vinci apparently despised JC and revered John the Baptist. Pickett suggests Leonardo may have been aware of a rivalry between the two that cost John his life.

Good Start

The author has obviously spent several years researching this subject alone and with her co-author of other books. I like her approach in putting forth theories and letting the reader decide. In the forward a bit of anger toward the Christian Church was revealed. This was a much needed work to tie up some loose ends from her and her co-authors other books as well as those written by Baigent, Leigh and Lincoln. I do find it fascinating that Picknett and Pagels seem to read the same research with far different conclusions.I would suspect that the author will have more to say in a future book as this has just touched the surface. Certainly more needs to be revealed of the secrets held from the common layperson. Excellent bibliography!