Mary Magdalene and Early Christian Women

This is a very interesting book but one that you might even need to take notes as you read it. Basically what it does is present information on Mary Magdalene and how she was thought of in early Christian history. There is no doubt whatsoever that she and other women that were, at one time, leaders in the Christian community over time got written out by the victors who were men.

Books were burned. Some books were copied and references to women holding positions of importance were removed. The book also covers the subject of early art and how in some pieces there is no doubt that both men and women were involved in religious rituals. Over time, though, many of those art pieces were destroyed or buried and history was rewritten, again removing women from their position of importance.

Some specific points of interest:

Early on there were different forms of Judaism and different forms of Christianity. The importance of women in these forms varied.

In 1965 Vatican II demoted Mary and her statues were moved.

There are many instances of Mary and Mary, the mother of Jesus, preaching.

There are \ other women who were also preachers/priestesses such as Thecla and Irene

There is evidence that women baptized people.

Sexual slurs were used against women who held leadership positions. This even went so far as the (absolutely insane) charge that some women put holds in babies, drained their blood and mixed it with the Eucharistic bread.

In 1916 the Holy Office prohibited any depictions of Mary garbed in priestly clothing.

One of the images that shows the importance of women (particularly in artwork) was when the women held their hands up in a prayerful pose.

There is a possibility that both Mary Magdalene and Jesus officiated at the last supper. It is also very probable that the last supper also included other men and some women.

85% of early Christian writings are gone; lost or burned.

This is just a very tiny portion of the information in this book. In addition the book includes notes, references and an index. If you want a book that shows how women were basically written out of Christianity then this is the one to buy.