A Journey of Inquiry
through the Gospel of Mary Magdalene
The Gospel of Mary refers to an ancient text originating from the second century CE, largely attributed to Mary Magdalene. Its existence was discovered in the late nineteenth century as part of the Berlin (Akhmim) Codex, a fifth-century papyrus manuscript containing four works often interpreted as Gnostic dialogues.
Alison Hine offers a new interpretation of the gospel in her book A Journey of Inquiry through The Gospel of Mary Magdalene. Her interpretation of the text provides fresh insights relevant to the early Christian faith as well as inspiration for a more modern audience.
Alison Hine's interpretation of this text resonates well with contemporary readers discovering a meaningful spiritual path. She highlights the differences between the Gospel of Mary Magdalene and more orthodox canonical gospels, revealing a greater diversity than previously known of the discourse that transpired during the early Christian faith.
This diversity in the discourse also extends to the role of women at a time in history that is characterized as being primarily patriarchal in nature. It is reflected in the exchange between the disciple Peter and Mary, where Peter asks of Mary for knowledge about teachings that was revealed to her by Jesus, acknowledging that Mary was a close confidant of the Saviour.
While noting the jealousy exhibited by other disciples towards the close relationship between Yeshua and Mary Magdalene, Alison Hine delves into the spiritual context found in the Gospel of Mary. She departs from a more narrative approach in discovering spiritual revelations that arise in an area existing between the soul and the conscious mind, while contemplating of the nature of reality.
A Journey of Inquiry through The Gospel of Mary Magdalene bridges the active discourse taking place during the early development of Christian faith, with more familiar contemporary social norms, and leads the reader towards a greater understanding of the role of spirituality in everyday life.
