God’s Woman Trouble b/w The Bible’s Lost Stories (Newsweek Articles)

Newsweek ^ | Dec. 8, 2003 | Kenneth L. Woodward and Barbara Kantrowitz and Anne Underwood

[rwfromkansas]

I don't know where the article gets the idea that 100 years ago, they got rid of the idea she was a prostitute.

My former pastor and my new one both say she was!

[rwfromkansas]

I think she may have played a greater role, but I hope you are not implying that the Bible is in error for not mentioning that if true.

The Holy Spirit writ into Holy Word what the Father determined, what was perfect and all that was needed for us to be "complete," as Scripture puts it.

[MississippiMan]

I recently took THE DaVINCI CODE with me on a Hawaiian cruise as my primary read. I was reading on my balcony when I got to that passage quoted in the top of this post. I threw the book in the ocean.

MM

[Hal1950]

"He was a member of the Priory of Sion . ."

Not if "the original Priory of Sion was founded in 1956 . ." as alleged here.

[MissAmericanPie]

I don't understand that, there is nothing scriptural about that claim. All that is said of her is that she was cleaned of seven devils, for all we know that would be the spirit of depression, or greed, or any number of ailments.

She is listed among those women who gave out of their wealth to support the ministry of Jesus. The fact that her home town was attached to her name means she was a person of importance. Joseph of Aramethia was a very wealthy man who placed the body of Jesus in the expensive tomb that he had built for himself.

The only reason I can think of is the church may have lumped a few Marys together to make a moral story. It seems 80% of the female population was named Mary at the time, lol.

[cookcounty]

"Then, a half-century ago, Biblical scholars recognized that she was a victim of mistaken identity:"

Be not deceived. These are not "biblical scholars."

[Drammach]

The Holy Spirit writ into Holy Word what the Father determined, what was perfect and all that was needed for us to be "complete," as Scripture puts it.

Excepting perhaps, for the First Council of Nicaea, (325 AD) at which Constantine, First Christian Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, placed his imprimature upon the Christian religion.
This was done partly to consolidate and standardize the stated beliefs of Christianity, and partly to insure that the official state religion conformed to the beliefs of Constantine. (and his mother, the true influence in Constantine's conversion.)

This was only the FIRST of the ecumenical councils that determined what was christian belief, what was revealed, and what was concealed, who was anathematized, (excommunicated) and who ultimately, lived or died. (the inquisition)

But I applaud you for your faith.

[Drammach]

How do we know this was Mary Magdalene?

My mistake.
I did a little research, and found that the passage refers to Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus. (yes, that Lazarus)

In the first reference, Jesus relates the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Mary, the younger sister, sits at the feet of Jesus and learns the lesson, while Martha the older sister, complains that there are household chores to be done, and why doesn't Jesus chastise Mary for not helping?
Jesus replies that it is Martha that does not understand what is truly important.

In the second reference, a turn-around.
The occasion is Lazarus' illness and death.
Jesus tarries, and reaches the house after Lazarus has already died.
Martha rushes from the house and thanks Jesus for coming, professing her belief in His power to intercede with God, and save Lazarus.
Mary remains in the house, but upon Jesus arrival, complains that Jesus has arrived too late, as Lazarus is dead.

Lastly, and to the point, the washing of the feet.
It is Mary, the younger sister that seemingly understands that Jesus will soon make the final sacrifice for man, and ministers to Jesus, washing and drying his feet with her own hair to honor him.
Just as Jesus will in turn, wash the feet of His own disciples.

This is why I love these sort of discussions.
It's a chance to learn again those things I had forgotten, or recall imperfectly.

[Drammach]

It's the mint.

It's not spearmint, it's mint. The good stuff.

[MediaMole]

"And God's triumph sounded through Israel."

So after resisting the tempation of Lucifer, he succumbed to the temptation of the other prince of darkness, Lucas.

[.45MAN]

They will support anything that supports what they want to believe to make it easier for them..

[Unassuaged]

While I am sure many people will continue to believe whatever they were taught, I for one find that Christians historic treatment of women as a sex undermines their message of salvation. No doubt various kooks and new agers will jump on this controversy, that does not mean that it should not be looked at. Many will call me a pagen, but I cannot believe that God is male and only male. The life of Jesus is beutiful, the resultent church is at times, as ugly as the baseness of Man

[The Grammarian]

Be not deceived. These are not "biblical scholars."

A history professor at my university is a member of this so-called "Jesus Seminar," and I thought it quite interesting in discussing her with a friend, that she said, "She [the so-called biblical scholar] knows what she's talking about" in that field. According to whom? Not according to anyone without a negative bias toward the subject material!

Unfortunately, the friends in that particular clique are exclusively irreligious and/or interested in the occult.

[MissAmericanPie]

God is Spirit, when He said, let us make man in our image after our likeness, that is exactly what He did. We are phantoms of the real thing. The Spirit of God is what we refer to as masculine, it's misnamed because man is the copy of Him, the emotions we have are copies of His emotions except now ours are corrupted. Woman is one step removed and is a copy of man, created to be his friend, companion, helper and to stir in each other an example of God's love for us.

In a perfect fleshly human world, woman is not under a mans heel, she is his partner, has her own business, manages her own affairs, and runs the household. The man provides the household with safety, leadership, example, and means.

If a woman chooses not to marry, she would be treated no differently than a man in running her business affairs. Be that construction, house cleaning, or being a CEO of a corporation. God did not cheat woman out of having a sharp mind, he did not make her incapable of attaining great things. The spirit housed inside that flesh is just as important to God as the spirit housed in male flesh.

Does she, like man, have the same emotions as God, yes, is her personality refered to as masculine? No. Only in so far as she is just as capable as man of using her intelligence to prosper, has the same emotions, but under the sway of the influence of the particular harmones that neccessarily aid that spirit in fulfilling it's earthly role in this flesh era.

The spirits placed in each type of container are under the influence of harmones that help each body type fulfill it's earthly role, effects the spirits emotions and to a degree dominates mental processes, ie maternal instincts, but that is the only difference and a temporary one.

When Christ returns all change in the twinkling of an eye from mortal bodies to immortal ones. They are neither male or female, they are not given or taken in marriage, they are completely equal. Where that body spends eternity should be foremost on the minds of all but like God said, the flesh is a terrible distraction.

What this means to me personally is that I have been given the most wonderful,one time,opportunity to experience and explore all it means to be female in a flesh body. Motherhood, being a wife, being educated and focused on the nurturing the Holy Spirit, and worshipping God. He gave me, what I consider, a plum assignment. I'm really greatful. I don't know what assignment I may be given in the coming eons of time, but it's hard to believe I will enjoy them as mush as I am enjoying this one.