Mary Magdalene's image

I have resisted reading The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, however, I believe some of the discussion generated from this best-seller is worthy of consideration. In the article excerpted below, the author argues that the myth of Mary Magdalene the whore has had a great impact on the way women were viewed culturally by both the secular and religious world. As we consider some of the historic representations of Mary Magdalene, what we see is a wanton prostitute repenting at the feet of Jesus. Mary Magdalene and the story of the prostitute forgiven by Jesus have been linked in the minds of many due to these artistic renderings. A closer look at the scriptures denies that link. These were two separate women; still, we often confuse Mary Magdalene with this woman. Watt believes this whore myth of Mary Magdalene has served to denigrate her unique position as a close companion of Jesus in her own right and has further served to reduce the status of women in the church. The myth perpetuates the fallacy that women are second-class citizens in need of rescuing from their uncontrolled sexual passion. He even goes on to state that the early church fathers used this myth to their advantage in advancing a patriarchal attitude toward women that placed women as inferior beings in need of guidance and overseeing.

As noted in earlier posts, it is important to examine the social factors that contributed to the status of women today in the religious world. This is just one example among many of how biblical truth was twisted by men to suit their need to control women and place them in subservient roles. It is important to examine the real role of Mary Magdalene in the ministry of Christ on earth. While I vehemently reject the notion that Mary Magdalene was the wife of Jesus, I just as strongly reject the image of her as depicted in many of the images of classic art. Jesus elevated the role of women during his walk on earth and Mary Magdalene is a prime example of this. She was a strong supporter and friend of Jesus and carried an esteemed position in his ministry. Consider the following excerpt from John Watt's article on the influence that the distorted image of Mary Magdalene has had on us today.

The Strange Fate of Women in Christian Culture (excerpt)by John Watt © 1997
Editor's note: "The Strange Fate of Women in Christian Culture" is a chapter in a larger, unpublished work called "In Search of the Covenant: Rediscovering Biblical Ethics," and only a portion of it is excerpted below. The author outlines some of the relevant history of Mary Magdalene, and discusses the complexities in discovering her place within Christianity. The section in which he discusses Magdalene's depiction in art is not to be missed.

"There is a great need in contemporary Christianity to rethink and reformulate from the ground up the role of women as bearers of religious and spiritual tradition. In terms of progress in this matter among the general public, we are still close to zero. The appointment of a few women to ministerial positions does little more than tinker with a closed system and does not get at the question of women as bearers and transmitters of divinity. The language, culture and traditions of modern Christianity are still fundamentally patriarchal. This was evidently not the intention of its founder. The renewal of Christianity will occur when the energy, language, spirituality, and recognition of women as carriers of divinity are fully engaged, as Jesus had intended."

The full article can be viewed by clicking on the link with the author's name.