“The first-century church was inclusive and democratic, even including a proto-feminist wing and texts. The Gospel of Philip, a Gnostic text from the third century, declares of Mary Magdalene: “She is the one the Savior loved more than all the disciples.” Likewise, the Gospel of Mary (from the early second century) suggests that Jesus entrusted Mary Magdalene to instruct the disciples on his religious teachings.”
Why is he quoting gnostic texts to bolster his case?
“Why is he quoting gnostic texts to bolster his case?”
The only “gnostic” text that is worth quoting is maybe the Gospel of Thomas... and that is because there is a possibility that it was written early... the rest were written way late...
Any female-led early churches withered away. So are the present ones doing, that have women as pastors.