Biblical Time Machine

The Weird and Wonderful "Gospel of Mary"

Sep 16, 2024

In this discussion, guest Sarah Parkhouse, a religious historian specializing in early Christianity, dives into the fascinating "Gospel of Mary," written in the 2nd Century CE. She explores its Gnostic themes and the diverse interpretations that marked early Christian thought. Uncovering its intriguing origins and the significance of its missing sections, Sarah highlights how this text reshapes our understanding of Mary Magdalene’s role. The conversation also touches on dialogue gospels and their contributions to theological discourse in ancient Mediterranean societies.

43:32

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Episode guests

Sarah Parkhouse

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The Gospel of Mary exemplifies the rich diversity of early Christian thought, highlighting Gnostic influences and varying interpretations of sin and salvation.

Mary Magdalene is presented as a pivotal figure, challenging traditional gender roles and emphasizing women's contributions in early Christian theological discourse.

Deep dives

The Context of Early Christianity

The podcast delves into the diverse landscape of early Christianity, particularly in the second century, where various groups were interpreting the teachings of Jesus. During this period, many texts were being written, leading to an abundance of different ideas about what it meant to follow Jesus. This environment of theological exploration resulted in the emergence of numerous gospels, many of which remained obscure for centuries. The discussion highlights that these early followers were shaping their identities amidst a Roman world while grappling with significant questions about faith and doctrine.

Intro

2min

Unveiling the Gospel of Mary

16min

Exploring the Paraclete and Dialogue Gospels in Early Christianity

5min

Unraveling the Gospel of Mary

19min

Exploring Ancient Sites and Discussing Early Christianity

2min

Written in the 2nd Century CE, the non-canonical "Gospel of Mary" gives us a taste of the wild diversity of Early Christianity. Religious historian Sarah Parkhouse joins Helen and Dave in the Time Machine to explain the significance of this mysterious Gnostic tribute to Mary Magdalene.

For more, check out Sarah's book, Eschatology and the Saviour: The Gospel of Mary among Early Christian Dialogue Gospels.

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BTM BOOK CLUB

We're excited to announce the first meeting of the Biblical Time Machine Book Club! Members of the Time Travelers Club are invited for a live Zoom discussion of Helen and Joan Taylor's book, Women Remembered: Jesus' Female Disciples. Grab your copy of the book and we'll see you on Saturday, September 28 at 10am EDT and 5pm UK.

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