Guest Author - Linda J. Paul
According to the scriptures, Jesus had a great many women followers, including his mother Mary and Mary Magdalene. In fact, Mary Magdalene was his constant companion. And, she is seen by some as being the “Apostle to the Apostles.”
That Peter and Mary had issues is a common theme in the Gnostics Gospels of both Thomas and Mary, and also the Pistis Sophia.
In the Gospel of Thomas Peter says of Mary, “Let Mary leave us for women are not worthy of life.”
In the Gospel of Mary Peter once again objects to what Mary is saying, “Did he (Jesus) really speak with a woman without our knowledge and not openly? Are we to trun around and listen to her?”
Peter again complains about Mary in the Pistis Sophia. “My Lord we are not able to suffer this woman who takes the opportunity from us, and does not allow anyone of us to speak, but she speaks many times.” And once again further in the text he complains, “My Lord, let the women cease to question, that we also may question.”
Mary speaks on the subject herself later in the Pistis Sophis. “"I am afraid of Peter," she tells Jesus . "He threatens me and hates our race.”
After the crucifixion Mary Magdalene disappears. Some say she went to France, and others say that she went back to her village.
Enter Paul.
Paul or Saul was quite well known for his vendetta against the early Christians. In fact, he brutally killed quite a few of them. But, on his famous trip to Damascus he had a “vision of the Lord,” which supposedly changed his life. Things get a bit hazy after that occurrence. One story says that he immediately went and met up with the disciples. The other story says that there was a two to three year gap between his vision and the time when he joined forces with only two of the disciples, James and Peter.
Either way, Paul began his crusade to carry on the “work of the Lord.” The only problem with this whole part of the story is the fact that Paul never met Jesus in person. His whole perspective of the teachings of Jesus were based on what the disciples told him. And, if he didn’t necessarily agree with what they were saying he would have a vision to make his point.
Is it any wonder that Mary Magdalene and women in general were considered to be “less than” the male disciples and Paul himself? The teachings of Jesus indicate that he was pro-women. There is nothing that indicates that he thought of them as subordinate or inferior to him. And, according to the Gnostic Gospels, women played a very important part in his ministry.
So, why is it that hundreds of years later, there are those who insist that women are the cause of original sin, that they should be submissive to their husbands, and that they are not “spiritual” enough to be religious leaders?
I can’t help but wonder what the teachings of Christianity would be like if Mary Magdalene had been given the opportunity to form the basis of the religion. What if Paul had not had his vision and met up with Peter? Would Christianity have a far different view of women’s roles within the church?
Those are questions that will never be answered. But, more interest is being shown in the life and times of Jesus and the role of the women, primarily Mary Magdalene, played in his teachings. And, with that interest old texts and documents are being re-examined. Women of all faiths and belief systems are beginning to review their own unique spiritual natures, and in turn are stepping into leadership positions that would not have been possible to achieve in the past.
Namaste.. May the Goddess in you see the Goddess in me.
