Mary Magdalene: Women, the Church, and the Great Deception

Written by Adriana Valerio

Narrated by Nan McNamara

From one of Italy’s most renowned historians of religion, an exciting new portrait of one of Christianity’s most complex—and most misunderstood—figures: Mary Magdalene

Jesus’ favorite and most devoted disciple? A prostitute shunned from her community? A symbol of female leadership and independence? Who really was Mary Magdalene, and how does her story fit within the history of Christianity, and that of female emancipation?

In this meticulously researched, highly engaging book, Adriana Valerio looks at history, art, and literature to show how centuries of misinterpretation and willful distortion—aimed at establishing and preserving gender hierarchies—have stripped this historical figure of her complexity and relevance.

By revealing both the benign and the pernicious misrepresentations of Mary Magdalene, this thought-provoking essay reaffirms the central role played by women in the origins of Christianity and their essential contribution to one of the founding experiences of Western thought and society.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Everand Productions
• Release date: Nov 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9781094426525

Adriana Valerio

Adriana Valerio is a historian of religion and has taught History of Christianity at the University of Naples. One of the first Italian women to graduate in theology, for the last three decades she has researched the role and memory of women in the history of Christianity.

Reviews for Mary Magdalene

[Agne · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Religiously themed book, that focuses on women's voices and images in theology. Weardly not a bad read. Reads as a simple social feminist nonfiction witha focus on a biblical figure, with mentions of church and faith here and there.

[Merle Arrowsmith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very thought provoking and interesting - I shall read more on the topic

[NoelReneCisnerosPeña · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Valerio hace un análisis de la figura de María Magdalena, ¿qué dicen los evangelios de ella y otras fuentes de los primeros años del cristianismo? ¿Por qué se ha negado su papel como apóstol y figura cercana a cristo? ¿Cómo ha sido vista a lo largo del tiempo hasta nuestros días? Una interesante aproximación a una figura cristiana y, a través de ella, pensar el papel de las mujeres dentro del cristianismo.

[Jerry Weis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow! As a traditional Catholic man, the notion of female clergy and church leadership made me uncomfortable. But the author lays out a solid case showing the erroneous suppression of a female clergy since the beginning of the Christian church.
It was truly a fascinating read, although the mid chapters flagged a bit as she went through an exhaustive listing of Mary Magdalene’s representations in art, popular thought, and literature throughout history.
The author really did her homework, providing both insightful and informative perspectives that shed light on many previously obfuscated scripture passages.

I think it would be great if this were required reading for all theology students, as well as those pursuing ministry.

That said, this book assumes a basic understanding of the Synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) and Johannine scripture, as well as some familiarity with biblical exegesis, church history, and the apocryphal books. If you are under the impression that the Bible magically manifested in its entirety at some arbitrary point in early Church history, then this book may not be for you.

[K · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great content and overall very valuable information. I do wish that some references could be a bit more clear. For example, when quoting a verse, to name the book it comes from. Sometimes it’s not clear or it was said once and the writer/narrator assumes we know or remember every time. Especially the Gnostic books, which are way less known than the New Testament. But overall, very good read/hear

[Anthony Yap · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is well researched! The author appears to be an expert on the life story of Mary Magdalene. I do agree with many of her points; that she is one of the most controversial figure in the bible and that biblical history could have been distorted for various reasons.

[Errol Braithwaite · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Excellent academic book. Required reading for anyone serious about understanding the Jesus-defined role of women in the church, as opposed to a humanistic culturally defined one.

[Jeff Fambrough · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Uhhhh…way to not show the true lady but sure…Dan brown would be proud with the conspiracy

[Lyndon Turner · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a thought provoking analysis of the depictions of Mary Magdalenas in art history. But an artist’s work does not contradict the Holy Spirit’s inspired writings that He guided to be included in the canon of the Bible.

[Joy Med · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Content was well researched and believable. Only issue was the divergent to the argument of Mary M voice being suppressed and the argument for women priest. I would have preferred that the author stops at the well known historical tradition of the role of men and women, for better or for worst, rather than use Mary M as justification for a political argument.