Mary Magdalene

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Try this one.

THE TRUTH BEHIND THE DA VINCI CODE by Richard Abanes

Harvest House Publishers
Eugene, Oregon

Less than $8.00 and well worth the money.
At your local bible book store

[Pahuanui]

In his second book he contends that Mary Magdalene was married to Jesus, but that Constantine ommitted any books from the Bible that made reference to this.

OK. Look at his sources.

Even better, study biblical history. If you're concernced about books being ommitted from the current bible, you're on the right track.

Has anyone else heard of this? Is this a veiled attack on Christianity?

No such thing exists. A 'veiled attack'? Please.

The contention is that women were liberated prior to Christianity and that it was Constantine's version of Christ's history that stole that liberation away from women.

That's a rather unique take on things. Women have been liberated from day one, hour one.

Or, haven't you noticed?

[Lord Nelson]

That's what I have always believed - that Christianity made strides to elevate women. Sure, but today's standards they weren't elevated as they are now, but that is an unfair comparison. Just like by todays standards American democracy was still evolving prior to the civil war - blacks had no right to vote - yet we would never say that period of democracy had no value (well, some would I guess)

[Lord Nelson]

Didn't those hippie dudes also steal the Victory symbol from Churchill and Nixon; and made it their nauseating peace symbol. Another groups stole our rainbow.

[madison10]

There are several books out rebutting the DaVinci Code:

Cracking the Da Vinci Code... (Garlow & Jones)

Breaking the Da Vinci Code (Bock)

The Truth Behind the Da Vinci Code(Abanes)

And more...

All are at www.christianbook.com & other such places

[Lord Nelson]

Cool. I will look for those at my local Christian bookstore.

[restornu]

Do you have some thing against paragraphs?

[Tucker39]

The DaVinci Code starts out with a false and unproven premise, and goes downhill from there. Fools, religious dillettantes, Kool Aid drinkers and fools will be hoodwinked by it, but anyone who has a personal relationship with the Lord and knows His Word will not.

[Hank All-American]

Of course not. What I wrote is a perfect example of one.

[Ostlandr]

<< Oh and yes, Christianity's impact in "liberating women" was huge. I'm not a historian of women's issues, but from what little I know it was a decided improvement over the defective morality of paganism. >>

I beg your pardon? I suggest you read up on what the early fathers of the Christian churches had to say about women- some of their comments will shock you.
Then I suggest you read up on the "witch hunts" of the middle ages, where innocent Christian men and women were burned alive because "All witchcraft stems from carnal lust, which is in women insatiable." (from the 'Malleus Maleficarum', the book used as a manual by the witch hunters.)
Then, when you know the history of Christianity's attitudes towards women, you can make more sound statements.

[dmz]

I found it to be quite a fun read, actually. As soon as my wife finishes the first one, I'm gonna read that also.

It did not and will not impact my thinking about the church in any way shape or form.

You're right, though, you'll find it in the fiction section.

[concretebob]

Breaking the Da Vinci Code was a rebuttal. History Channel just last night ran a special on the subjects which were covered, including the Knights Templar, and DaVinci's painting of the Last Supper.
The subject was the Holy Grail, and it's absence from the painting, if indeed the Grail is the cup from which Christ drank.
The Holy Grail is supposedly in the picture, but it's not a chalice, it's a woman.
Before anyone turns up the flame-thrower, I'm not submitting this as my opinion, just the subject matter of the History Channel's program.

[MHT]

By the same token, it would have been unlikely for a 30-year-old Jewish male to not be married at some point of his life. I read an article in Time in the mid-60's that there speculation that Jesus may have been married as a young man but widowed, which would be common given female mortality rates.

The History Channel did a very good special last year about Mary Magdalene indicating that she may have been an unmarried woman, not necessarily a prostitute. Also, there are several references which confuse which Mary is which.

There are also some committed Christians who believe that some books which were not included in the Bible could have been, such as the Gospel of Thomas. Also, years ago Rush Limbaugh spoke on why his Methodist minister contended that Revelation should not have been included.

Whatever one's opinion, it is wonderful that thanks to the Passion and books like this that Jesus' life is being discussed.

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

I had always believed that ancient societies to the most part put women at the bottom of society almost exclusively.

It depends on which ancient society and which area. Though slaves of either sex were at the bottom of society, Roman pagan women had the right to draw up contracts without husband’s permission, divorce rights, and the right to keep their dowry assets if they divorced, as well as some other privileges. I would infer that female Christian converts of the empire would have the same rights. Jewish women in Judea may have been more restricted. Since most of the early Christian converts were indeed women, they did indeed have leadership roles in the early church before the gender balance changed. One of the Paul’s lettera is addressed to a female deaconess.