Mary Magdalene Disciple of Christ [Paperback]

Judith A. Sutherland (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 22, 2001

In a style reminiscent of earlier literary writers, Dr. Sutherland portrays the astonishing life of Mary of Magdala. The petulant and beautiful 18-year-old, seeking the meaning of her dream, encounters the mysterious and mystical Essenes and learns their secret teachings. In her exuberance she enters into collaboration with the Zealots, encounters a Roman Tribune and becomes influenced by the darkness of error. The healing by Jesus initiates her life as favored disciple and mystical leader of the others who followed him. It is Mary's penetrating discernment, which allows her mastery of Jesus' teachings. During her ministry, she understands that Jesus is from another realm attempting again to tell humankind its true nature and purpose. She repeatedly explains what others do not understand. Though confrontations with Peter begin a never resolved schism, Mary Magdalene was indeed, the Beloved Disciple of Christ.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Judith A. Sutherland, Ph.D. She is a Registered Nurse with a Master's degree in psychiatric nursing from U.C.L.A. and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Texas, Austin. As a professor at a large state university she was the principle investigator on numerous research grants. Two of the most significant were the Department of Health and Human Services grant funded for $493,000 which focused on minority women and men and their educational needs titled Affirming At-risk Minorities for Success (ARMS). The second grant funded by the Texas Research Development division for $43,000.00 examined the needs of White and Hispanic women in recovery from substance abuse. This research titled Women in Substance Abuse Recovery: Measures of Resilience and Self-differentiation was published in the prestigious Western Journal of Nursing Research. Sutherland has 33 articles published in juried and refereed journals and books. Her love of writing caused her to venture beyond the boundaries of academic publications in the genre of non-fiction New Age texts, historical novels and short-stories. In 1989 she published the mystical and self-help non-fiction book Abraham the Initiator on Spirit, Will and Ego, soon followed by The Gnostic Practitioners Workbook. Sutherland s 2001 historical novel, Mary Magdalene Disciple of Christ, is based on the translation of ancient codices found in Nag Hammadi, Egypt in 1945 revealing Mary Magdalene s significant contribution to the development of early Christianity. In 2003 her short story Pallet in Front of the Stove was published by Moondance receiving positive reviews.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Additive Creations, INC.; First edition (July 22, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0962524115
• ISBN-13: 978-0962524110
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,047,947 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Picasso said: "If it doesn't come easy to you - it does not belong to you." Writing has always been easy for me and since my transtion from research and conceptual publications (I have 33 professional publciations) into historical fiction, writing is now exciting. I can move into and live in the world of my characters. My most recent publication is titled Back Ward and is based on the barbaric treatment of women in post World War II state hospitals and asylums as treatments such as ice-pick lobotomy and electro-convulsive therapy were being replaced by the new psychotropic drug Thorazine.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great historical novel, November 4, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Mary Magdalene Disciple of Christ (Paperback)

Sutherland weaves together tantalizing hints from the Gnostic gospels and the New Testament gospels to create a new portrait of one of the great women of the Bible. From these fragmented sources, Mary Magdalene is revealed as a woman of passion, intelligence and faith, and a new perspective is provided on some of the enigmatic teachings of Jesus. Through vivid descriptions and characterizations, the ancient past is brought into the present as Mary Magdalene is revealed as a powerful member of Jesus's band of disciples and the spread of Christianity. I highly recommend this book to others interested in the mysteries of faith and the place of women in the Bible.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Mary Magdalene Book Ever !, August 9, 2001

By 

"murrays3" (Arlington, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mary Magdalene Disciple of Christ (Paperback)

This is an excellent historical novel. I don't normally read historical novels, but I was devouring this one whenever I had a spare minute. I became very involved in many of the characters in the book and couldn't wait to see what happened to them. The characters and settings are described in such a way as to create pictures of them in your mind while you are reading. This book gave me an outstanding view of the life and teachings of Jesus and Mary Magdalene and taught me things about both that I had never learned elsewhere. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a glimpse of the past.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Imagining Mary Magdalene, August 8, 2001

By 

donna bucar (Dover, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mary Magdalene Disciple of Christ (Paperback)

Dr. Sutherland has done a masterful job of combining myth, legend, and imagination in this novel about the life of Mary Magdalen. She starts with Mary Magdalene in her family home and takes us through to well after the death of Christ. Drawing from biblical teaxts and the Nag Hammadi Library to create the dialoge and action surrounding Mary Magdalene, Dr, Sutherland creates a vivid image of MM as she might have been. Mary Magdalene is portrayed as a strong, independent woman, given to visions and gifted with a unique understanding of the teaching of the Savior. She is a woman worthy of our respect and attention for her own merits, not how she is used by others. If your are ready for a new image of Saint Mary Magdalene, I highly recommend this book to you. It is highly readable yet contains much information on Gnostic thought as well as the land and times of Mary Magdalene.