The Gospels of Mary: The Secret Tradition of Mary Magdalene, The Companion of Jesus

The book starts out noting that Mary Magdalene provided support for the Jesus movement which probably means financial support and maybe helping in whatever way she could. Then it goes into various very interesting points:

Peter said that Mary, as a woman, does not know her place. (Indeed, some things never seem to change.)

Pope Gregory in the 7th Century was the one who began all the nasty talk about Mary, referring to her as a prostitute even there there was no actual Biblical evidence for saying that.

The Gospel of Mark was written around 70C.E., the gospels of Matthew and Luke maybe ten to twenty years later and the Gospel of John around 90 C.E.

There are differences in their accounts of what happened at the tomb with one saying Mary saw a youth there, another account had her seeing an angel and another account had her seeing two men.

The Gospel of Mary is then covered stating with an explanation of what it is, that much of it is missing and that Peter and Andrew couldn't accept Mary's statements because she was a woman (ignoring the fact that neither of them had the guts to go to the tomb also.)

Each gospel covered is similar in that it contains first an explanation of what it's about and at the end suggestions for further reading, both of which are a very intelligent way to cover the topic.

The Gospel of Thomas is next to be discussed. It came about sometime during the first century. It's a gospel of wisdom containing sayings of Jesus. Peter, being his sexist self, says that females are 'not worthy of life.' Hey, Peter. No females, no Peter. No Jesus. No no one.

The Gospel of Phillip is next. Mary walked with Jesus. Jesus loved Mary more than the other disciples. (Maybe because she bothered to actually listen to what he was saying and practice it?)

The Dialogue of the Savior (partial) is covered next. Mary is noted as saying that the troubles of each day are sufficient, workers deserve their food and disciples resemble their teacher.

Pistis Sophia is next. This can also be titled Faith Wisdom. Mary Magdalene is very important in this one. Jesus notes that her heart is set on Heaven's Kingdom more than the other disciples. Peter (yep, him again) says that Mary gets in their way and that she talks all the time.

The Manichean Psalms of Heracleides is next. Jesus tells Mary to get the disciples together.

Mary Magdalene In the Spotlight is the last portion of the book. This notes that Jesus noted that Mary 'understood every thing.' She learned things before the others did. The regular gospels started the demotion of Mary's contributions and established the 'Mary's not important since she's a woman' trend that only in relatively recent years has begun to be corrected.