Customer Reviews

The Resurrection of Mary Magdalene: Legends, Apocrypha, and the Christian Testament

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I can only write this review from a non-theological point of view. I am a systems-programmer, not a scholar. Having been brought up Roman Catholic, then fallen far, far away into what might be called "unorthodox deism", I am astonished by the difference between the canonical New Testament texts I was taught, and the views Jane Schaberg expresses. So, the canonical Matthew, Mark, Luke and John aren't "history"? This is refreshing, because taken as history they don't make all
that much sense. The additional frequent allusions to the documents from Nag Hammadi and other apocrypha point the way to "the way things might have been different" from the canonical teachings, and help to look at the historical Jesus as a real person, not a simpering victim of Augustinian prudery.
This last helps support Schaberg's postulation that Mary Magdalene, among other women, may have been not distant followers of Jesus but intimate companions and the true proclaimers of his message to the apostles and to the world.

Schaberg's book is a challenging read, but should be accessable to one who reads feminist/womanist authors, Biblical scholars or both. She has meticulously reviewed and analysed the literature and film on or related to Mary Magdalene. She has summarized the limited archaeological work done at Migdal.
Perhaps I have been afraid of Virginia Woolf. Now I will read her work, and try to compare it with the work of Mary Ann Evans. I have been interested in what Evans says about religion.
I find Schaberg's discovery of allusion to 2 Kings 2 in John 20 to be breathtaking... I will be spending a lot of time with this book.

This is a masterful book. The scholarship is impressive, but it is the combination of solid learning with the personal that is unusual and engaging. Schaberg is fearlessly feminist, but this is not a polemic. She is persuasive and at times even poetic. For those interested in Mary Magdalene or Virginia Woolf this book is a must-read, but everyone interested in the origins of Christianity and the impact of patriarchy on human institutions will find a great deal of interest here.

Highest recommendation.
Join Dr. Schaberg as she guides us through centuries of passion, faith, sexism, intrigue and sabotage, as she untangles the story/stories of Magdalen with voluminous knowledge, a feminist's questioning eye, wit and, thank god, a wonderful sense of humor and irony. It truly is a epic of "biblical plus" proportions.
For those of us who are not scripture scholars, Ms. Schaberg has compiled an enormous amount of research into a readable and entertaining book. I couldn't put it down once I began reading. Dr. Schaberg style is conversational and friendly; she introduces us to and credits many scholars and writers upon whose works she builds, with whom she disagrees, and she leaves us with a treasure trove bibliography should we wish to continue our own research. Virginia Woolf joins us as mentor, as companion and co-guide in this unusual exploration. Her presence makes the journey an absolute joy, despite the fences and barriers we encounter in our climbing and excavating.
This is a book for readers who ask questions, engage in religious reflection, and like to peel away layers of cultural paint in search of women's ancestors.

This is a wonderful book if, like me, you want to explore the various modern interpretations of Mary Magdalene. The author begins by showing why the portrayal that has come down to us through the centuries of a "repentant prostitute," is not substantiated by either Biblical or historical scholarship. She then goes on to explain the various theories and possibilities to help as construct a more accurate picture of Magdalene. She does this in a scholarly way--but her writing avoids the jargon and unnecessarily long words of some other scholarly books on religion. In other words, you're not likely to fall asleep reading it. In fact, it's an eye-opener. Schaberg brings together and explains a number of different theories about Magdalene and about the events surrounding the Crucifixion. I personally didn't feel the quotes from Virginia Woolf were necessary, but I appreciate her attempt to make the material even more meaningful by using them. I would highly recommend this book to anyone seeking to unravel the Magdalene mystery.

A blend of fierce scholarship and visionary passion. Dr. Jane Schaberg's Mary Magdalene is a woman triumphant, reborn from history in this readable, laudable, fascinating book.

Although I do not often read books of this type, I found it to be a fascinating and in depth presentation -- particularly the references to and contrasts with Virginia Wolfe-
I have and will recommend it to friends- who have an interest in women's issues and the genisis of many modern attitiudes-
One does not have to be a scholar to appreciate this work-

Jane Schaberg's The Resurrection of Mary Magdalene is an adventure...at times delightful, at times profoundly sad. Her seemingly improbable juxtaposition of Mary Magdalene and Virginia Woolf is not only justified, it's necessary.
In the highest academic tradition, Dr. Schaberg displays exhaustive research and careful synthesis; in the best feminist tradition, she reveals her intensely personal journey. Best of all, she shares her journey with the reader.

Having never given much thought to Mary Magdalene, a professor suggested this book. It read well and helped me view Mary Magdalene more positively. A stronger woman than I through.

This is a prodigiously researched study of the myths and truths surrounding Mary Magdalene from a clear feminist perspective. It is not a quick or easy read. Although I found the work interesting (I am not an academician), I was put off by three elements of the book. First, the author compared the patriarchal hostility to Mary Magdalen to Virginia Woolf. At times, the author quoted so extensively from Woolf that I wondered whether her focus has shifted from theology to feminist fiction. This was way too much of a good thing. Second, I did not particularly appreciate the "shots" she took at Raymond Brown and John Dominic Crossan for perceived personal slights. I did not purchase this book to learn of the author's personal disappointments. Third, the writing is "dense." It is often difficult to understand, stylistically opaque and contains much repetition. Had the author (and her editor) worked harder at simplifying and clarifying her focus, instead of an academic treatise, she could have done for Mary Magdalen what Elaine Pagels did for Gnosticism and Sandra Schneiders did for the Gospel of John. Alas, that was not to be.