The Meaning of Mary Magdalene: Discovering the Woman at the Heart of Christianity

The author of The Wisdom Jesus takes readers on a journey to discover the real Mary Magdalene--and finds a powerful, ancient model for 21st-century spirituality

Mary Magdalene is one of the most influential symbols in the history of Christianity--yet, if you look in the Bible, you'll find only a handful of verses that speak of her. How did she become such a compelling saint in the face of such paltry evidence?

In her effort to answer that question, Cynthia Bourgeault examines the Bible, church tradition, art, legend, and newly discovered texts to see what's there. She then applies her own reasoning and intuition, informed by the wisdom of the ages-old Christian contemplative tradition. What emerges is a radical view of Mary Magdalene as Jesus's most important disciple, the one he considered to understand his teaching best. That teaching was characterized by a nondualistic approach to the world and by a deep understanding of the value of the feminine. Cynthia shows how an understanding of Mary Magdalene can revitalize contemporary Christianity, how Christians and others can, through her, find their way to Jesus's original teachings and apply them to their modern lives.

Author: Cynthia Bourgeault
Publisher: Shambhala
Published: 09/14/2010
Pages: 256
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.89lbs
Size: 8.58h x 5.60w x 0.81d
ISBN13: 9781590304952
ISBN10: 1590304950
BISAC Categories:
- Religion | Biblical Biography | New Testament
- Religion | Christianity | Saints & Sainthood
- Religion | Biblical Studies | History & Culture

About the Author
CYNTHIA BOURGEAULT is a modern-day mystic, Episcopal priest, and theologian. She divides her time between solitude at her seaside hermitage in Maine and traveling globally to promote the rediscovery of the Christian contemplative path. She is a core faculty member at the Center for Action and Contemplation and founding director of an international network of Wisdom Schools. Cynthia's articles and essays have appeared in many journals and publications, and she is the author of numerous books, including The Wisdom Jesus, The Meaning of Mary Magdalene, The Holy Trinity and the Law of Three, and The Heart of Centering Prayer.