Mary Magdalene, The First Apostle: The Struggle for Authority

by Ann Graham Brock

Overview

Why did some early Christians consider Mary Magdalene to be an apostle while others did not? Some Christian texts, underlining her role as one of the very first witnesses to the resurrection, portray Mary Magdalene as the "apostle to the apostles," while other sources exclude or replace her in their resurrection accounts.

This book examines how the conferral, or withholding, of apostolic status operated as a tool of persuasion in the politics of early Christian literature. Drawing on both canonical and noncanonical literature in her comprehensive study, the author reveals some intriguing correlations between the prominence of Peter in a text and a corresponding diminishment of women's leadership and apostolicity.

This historical study of early Christian tensions has serious implications for current denominational discourse because authority, apostolic status, and the ordination of women continue to be highly disputed topics within many Christian circles today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780674009660
Publisher:	Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection
Publication date:	03/28/2003
Series:	Harvard Theological Studies Series , #51
Pages:	270
Product dimensions:	5.54(w) x 8.64(h) x 0.63(d)

About the Author

Ann Graham Brock has taught at several universities and seminaries and published extensively on the topic of the New Testament and early Christian origins. She has also appeared in documentaries on the History Channel and the BBC.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

CHAPTER ONE

The Issue of Apostolic Authority

Etymology of the Term "Apostle"

Qualifications for Apostleship

The Role of Resurrection Witness Narratives

Summary

CHAPTER TWO

Apostolic Authority in the Gospel of Luke

Lukan Supplementation of Traditions about Peter

Lukan Omission of Traditions about Peter

Lukan Modification of Traditions about Peter

The Most Significant Supplementary Tradition in Luke (24:33-34)

The Portrayal of Mary Magdalene in the Gospel of Luke

The Portrayal of Other Female Disciples in the Gospel of Luke

Summary

CHAPTER THREE

Apostolic Authority in the Gospel of John

The Portrayal of Peter

John 21: The Reinstatement of Peter

The Portrayal of the Beloved Disciple

The Portrayal of Mary Magdalene and Other Female Leadership

Summary

CHAPTER FOUR

Portrayals of Apostolic Witness: The Gospels of Mark and Matthew versus the Gospel of Peter

Mary and Peter in the Gospels of Mark and Matthew

Portrayals of Peter and Mary in the Gospel of Peter Summary

CHAPTER FIVE

Competition between Peter and Mary Magdalene in Other Texts

Portrayals of Peter and Mary in the Gospel of Thomas

Portrayals of Mary and Peter in the Gospel of Mary

Portrayals of Mary and Peter in Pistis Sophia 1-3 and Pistis Sophia 4

Identification of Mary Magdalene in the Gospel of Philip

Identification of Mary Magdalene in Pistis Sophia 1-3

Portrayal of Mary in the Dialogue of the Savior

Portrayal of Mary in Sophia of Jesus Christ

Summary

CHAPTER SIX

Advocacy of Authority and Women's Leadership: The Acts of Paul versus the Acts of Peter

Interactions with Characters in the Acts of Paul

Peter's Interactions with Characters in the Acts of Peter

Paul's Interactions with Characters in the Acts of Peter

Conformity to Familial and Social Responsibilities

Ecclesiastical Organization

Summary

CHAPTER SEVEN

The Replacement of Mary Magdalene: A Strategy for Eliminating the Competition

The Greek Acts of Philip: The Role of Mary

The Coptic Version of the Acts of Philip: The Role of Peter

Conflict between Mary Magdalene and Peter

Replacement of Mary Magdalene in Acta Thaddaei and in Syriac Texts

Replacement of Mary Magdalene in Theodoret

Replacement of Mary Magdalene in Coptic Texts

Revillout Fragment 14

Book of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ by Bartholomew the Apostle

Cooptation of Mary the Mother in the Questions of Bartholomew

Summary

CHAPTER EIGHT

Apostolic Contradictions and the Crisis of Authority

Apostles in the New Testament

Differences in Apostolic Authority between Pauline Texts and the Acts of the Apostles

Priority and Authoritative Implications

CHAPTER NINE

Conclusion: Recovering Lost Apostolic Traditions

Implicit Challenges to Apostolic Authority

Diminishing Mary's Status as a Witness

Diminishing Mary's Presence as a Witness

Diminishing Mary's Status as a Role Model

Diminishing Mary's Status as an Apostle

Explicit Challenges to Apostolic Authority

Recovering Apostolic Status

Bibliography

Index of Modern Authors

Index of Ancient Sources

Index of Subjects