Kim Beyer

Engaging the Gospel of Mary Magdalene Kim Beyer

The Gospel of Mary Magdalene was penned in what most scholars identify as the 3rd century CE. Fragments have turned up over the years-tantalizing scraps of a once widely read and copied manuscript. Unlike some Gnostic texts which create a fantastic cosmology, this small piece of writing bridges vision and reality, and captures the tension between disciples enmeshed in a patriarchal culture and a woman who is sometimes called the Apostle to the Apostles. It also explores the very real death of Rabbi Yeshua (we know this man by his Western name, Jesus) and the revelation of his continued spiritual presence in the consciousness of his disciples. It is curiously "alive" and filled with strong emotional content, as well as metaphysical depth. I find myself in the good company of translators like Stephen Mitchell or Coleman Barks, working with ancient words and breathing a modern life into them. Because of this accessibility, the book is a delightful resource for small group study. As with Yeshua's Yoga, my work about the Gospel of Thomas, I write a short essay about each translated passage, followed by an original poem that lives into the questions of the text. Finally, I pose five study questions to ponder with others or in a journal. I highly recommend creating artwork with this gospel and will drop in suggestions about how to allow this work to unfold through music, dance, and visual media. I've also included a short resource page at the end of the work to further your inquiry into this complex and beautiful piece of ancient writing. Scripture of any kind is meant to be chewed with your whole being. I am challenging you to relate these pages to your past and your own evolving journey in a way both deep and intimate. This freshly edited edition of the work will be an intriguing companion on your spiritual journey.