Re-discovering Mary Magdalene
This book re-examines Mary Magdalene’s devotion to Jesus and concludes that she was not only an important figure in Jesus’s life but also a leading member of the apostolic order. She was one of Jesus’s prominent female followers who was present at the crucifixion when other disciples fled in fear of authorities. She was the witness of Jesus’s resurrection, and the first to be charged with his ministry. The Gospel of Mary Magdalene discovered in 1896 in a 5th-century papyrus codex written in Coptic language is the only known book of a female apostle. Unlike the controversial the Gospel of Jesus' Wife found years later, the Gospel of Mary does not claim Mary was married to Jesus. But it also show her to be an important disciple to whom Jesus' male disciples turn for advice and wisdom. Indeed, the apostle Peter specifically asks Mary to interpret the words of Jesus. Professor Karen L. King of Harvard Divinity School illuminates on Mary’s gospel and offers a new interpretation. The Gospel of Mary focuses on Jesus' teachings as a path to inner spiritual knowledge reminiscent of the teachings of Upanishads of Hinduism. This gospel rejects his suffering and death as a path to eternal life. This gospel offers a fascinating glimpse into the conflicts and controversies of a woman who shaped earliest Christianity. In fact many New Testament scholars suggest that Mary Magdalene is the founder of Christianism as opposed to St. Paul (Saul of Tarsus) to whom Jesus appears on his way to Damascus (Acts 9:3–9).
Canonical Gospels do not mention Jesus having a wife. But the manuscripts found in 2012, known as the “Gospel of Jesus' Wife” is interpreted by Professor King as an evidence that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene. Despite all the controversies, we learn that Mary Magdalene was a comforter as well as a teacher to the other disciples. Some of the apostles respected her in that role, and yet others challenged her authority since she was a woman. There was a spiritual kinsman-ship with Jesus whom she knew intimately, she saw the light, and connected with his message.
The author of this book takes a conservative look at the life of Mary Magdalene, while Professor King takes a more modern approach to her work and her role in early Christian church. Mary Magdalene will be debated for many years to come. Historically scholars have drawn their own conclusions based on the Biblical literature. Movie making industry like Hollywood did not stay far behind in re-telling the story of Mary Magdalene. Numerous movies have been made over the years, and one of my favorite is the 1927 epic, “The King of Kings” produced and directed by Cecil B. DeMille at Paramount Studios. It examines the last weeks in the life of Jesus in the company of his close apostolic friends and Mary Magdalene.
Thursday, October 12, 2017
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Book Reviewed: The Last Christians, by Sharon Howe and Andreas Knapp
Living in a state of terror
Jews, Christians, Yezidis and other religious minorities have been ill-treated in the Muslim nations of Iraq and Syria for many centuries. Their plight became more visible and excruciating when the Islamic terror group, ISIS captured many towns and cities and systematically tortured and brutalized non-Muslim communities. In the mountain village of Maaloula that lies 34 miles from Syria's capital, Damascus, important religious buildings such as the looming Greek Catholic monastery of St. Sergius was damaged by heavy shelling. ISIS also destroyed the ancient city of Palmyra that included the 1,800-year-old Arch of Triumph and the nearly 2,000-year-old Temple of Baalshamin. The Syrian archeologist who was an expert of the history of the city was beheaded. In the ancient Armenian town of Kessab stood the Holy Trinity Armenian Evangelical church. Its library, pews and altar had all been burned, and statues were riddled with bullets and Islamist slogans were scrawled across the walls of homes and shops.
In this book, Andreas Knapp, a German priest who works with refugees from Middle East narrates his experiences with displaced people from northern Iraq and Syria. These are disturbing stories of individual survivors and their families. In the chapter 16 entitled “Through a child’s eyes” describe in simple words how a young Muslim boy displaced from Iraq tells the story of being exposed to constant shelling and bomb explosions. The book does not give graphic details of the horrors. In Chapter 11, entitled “The decline of the Christian Middle East,” the author gives a brief account how Syria was a cradle for Christianism when the church was still at its infancy. In Syria, Christians still speak Syriac, a dialect of Aramaic, the language of Jesus. It is the home of the first Gentile Christians. In fact Assyrians were the first to accept Christianity and set up the ministry of Jesus. Some New Testament scholars attribute to the experience of Paul when he was on his way from Jerusalem to Syrian Damascus with a mandate issued by the High Priest to seek out and arrest followers of Jesus, with the intention of returning them to Jerusalem as prisoners for questioning and possible execution. The journey is interrupted when Paul sees a blinding light, and communicates directly with a divine voice.
There are many well written books about the recent events in war-torn Iraq and Syria. This work comes from the personal experiences of the author after working with refuges coming to Germany from Iraq and Syria.
Jews, Christians, Yezidis and other religious minorities have been ill-treated in the Muslim nations of Iraq and Syria for many centuries. Their plight became more visible and excruciating when the Islamic terror group, ISIS captured many towns and cities and systematically tortured and brutalized non-Muslim communities. In the mountain village of Maaloula that lies 34 miles from Syria's capital, Damascus, important religious buildings such as the looming Greek Catholic monastery of St. Sergius was damaged by heavy shelling. ISIS also destroyed the ancient city of Palmyra that included the 1,800-year-old Arch of Triumph and the nearly 2,000-year-old Temple of Baalshamin. The Syrian archeologist who was an expert of the history of the city was beheaded. In the ancient Armenian town of Kessab stood the Holy Trinity Armenian Evangelical church. Its library, pews and altar had all been burned, and statues were riddled with bullets and Islamist slogans were scrawled across the walls of homes and shops.
In this book, Andreas Knapp, a German priest who works with refugees from Middle East narrates his experiences with displaced people from northern Iraq and Syria. These are disturbing stories of individual survivors and their families. In the chapter 16 entitled “Through a child’s eyes” describe in simple words how a young Muslim boy displaced from Iraq tells the story of being exposed to constant shelling and bomb explosions. The book does not give graphic details of the horrors. In Chapter 11, entitled “The decline of the Christian Middle East,” the author gives a brief account how Syria was a cradle for Christianism when the church was still at its infancy. In Syria, Christians still speak Syriac, a dialect of Aramaic, the language of Jesus. It is the home of the first Gentile Christians. In fact Assyrians were the first to accept Christianity and set up the ministry of Jesus. Some New Testament scholars attribute to the experience of Paul when he was on his way from Jerusalem to Syrian Damascus with a mandate issued by the High Priest to seek out and arrest followers of Jesus, with the intention of returning them to Jerusalem as prisoners for questioning and possible execution. The journey is interrupted when Paul sees a blinding light, and communicates directly with a divine voice.
There are many well written books about the recent events in war-torn Iraq and Syria. This work comes from the personal experiences of the author after working with refuges coming to Germany from Iraq and Syria.
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Book Reviewed: A History of New Testament Times in Palestine, 175 B.C. – 70 A.D. by Shailer Mathews
New Testament and ancient Israel
This book condenses the history of ancient Israel during the times of New Testament. It covers a vast amount of literature in a small volume, and the text does not contain any references to original articles that would help readers verify the accuracy of the historical facts. The author jumps from one political event to another too quickly without focusing on the historical, religious and cultural ramifications.
A brief summary of the history of the pre-Christian times in the Middle East is as follows: Judaism first appears in Greek records during the Hellenistic period (323 BCE – 31 BCE) as a religion, and Hebrew literature narrates the story of Judaic population back much further to 1200 BCE. The Jewish diaspora began with the Assyrian conquest and continued on a much larger scale with the Babylonian conquest. Jews were also widespread throughout the Roman Empire, and this carried on to a lesser extent in the period of Byzantine rule in the central and eastern Mediterranean. Antiochus IV Epiphanes imposed laws banning certain Jewish religious rites and traditions. Consequently, the orthodox Jews revolted under the leadership of the Hasmonean family (also known as the Maccabees). This revolt eventually led to the formation of an independent Jewish kingdom, known as the Hasmonaean Dynasty, which lasted from 165 BCE to 63 BCE. When Hebrews wanted to be governed by Jewish rabbis, Roman campaign to conquer Judea soon followed by the Roman General Pompey in 63 BCE, and reorganized as a client state. Later, Herod the Great was appointed "King of the Jews" by the Roman Senate, supplanting the Hasmonean dynasty. The empire was harsh in its treatment of its Jewish subjects. In 66 CE, the Jews revolted against the Roman rulers of Judea. In the Siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE, the Romans destroyed the Tabernacle.
In Ancient Rome, religion was an integral part of government and the Senate's declaration that Julius Caesar was god ruling the Earth. Hence, Romans demanded colonial population in the Roman Empire to recognize this fact. This was challenging the religious beliefs of minorities like Jews, Mithras (Mithraism, is a religion that worshiped God Mithras that was a viable in Roman Empire from about the 1st to the 4th century CE.,) Sabazios (the religion of Phrygians and Thracians,) Belism (worship of Mesopotamian God Bel in Roman city of Palmyra) and Christians. Jews were especially threatened since they followed the teachings of the holy book of Tanakh (Pentateuch) and did not comply with Roman decree.
After the Jewish-Roman wars (66-135 CE), Hadrian changed the name of Judaea province to Syria Palaestina; and Jerusalem to Aelia Capitolina, to erase the Jewish ties to the region. From 70 CE, Jews were allowed to practice their religion if they paid the Jewish tax, and after 135 CE, they were barred from Jerusalem except for the day of Tisha B'Av. Centuries later, the Roman Empire embraced Christianism as its religion with the Edict of Thessalonica in 380 CE. Before this, in 313 CE, Emperor Constantine I issued the Edict of Milan, which granted religious freedom for Christians.
This book condenses the history of ancient Israel during the times of New Testament. It covers a vast amount of literature in a small volume, and the text does not contain any references to original articles that would help readers verify the accuracy of the historical facts. The author jumps from one political event to another too quickly without focusing on the historical, religious and cultural ramifications.
A brief summary of the history of the pre-Christian times in the Middle East is as follows: Judaism first appears in Greek records during the Hellenistic period (323 BCE – 31 BCE) as a religion, and Hebrew literature narrates the story of Judaic population back much further to 1200 BCE. The Jewish diaspora began with the Assyrian conquest and continued on a much larger scale with the Babylonian conquest. Jews were also widespread throughout the Roman Empire, and this carried on to a lesser extent in the period of Byzantine rule in the central and eastern Mediterranean. Antiochus IV Epiphanes imposed laws banning certain Jewish religious rites and traditions. Consequently, the orthodox Jews revolted under the leadership of the Hasmonean family (also known as the Maccabees). This revolt eventually led to the formation of an independent Jewish kingdom, known as the Hasmonaean Dynasty, which lasted from 165 BCE to 63 BCE. When Hebrews wanted to be governed by Jewish rabbis, Roman campaign to conquer Judea soon followed by the Roman General Pompey in 63 BCE, and reorganized as a client state. Later, Herod the Great was appointed "King of the Jews" by the Roman Senate, supplanting the Hasmonean dynasty. The empire was harsh in its treatment of its Jewish subjects. In 66 CE, the Jews revolted against the Roman rulers of Judea. In the Siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE, the Romans destroyed the Tabernacle.
In Ancient Rome, religion was an integral part of government and the Senate's declaration that Julius Caesar was god ruling the Earth. Hence, Romans demanded colonial population in the Roman Empire to recognize this fact. This was challenging the religious beliefs of minorities like Jews, Mithras (Mithraism, is a religion that worshiped God Mithras that was a viable in Roman Empire from about the 1st to the 4th century CE.,) Sabazios (the religion of Phrygians and Thracians,) Belism (worship of Mesopotamian God Bel in Roman city of Palmyra) and Christians. Jews were especially threatened since they followed the teachings of the holy book of Tanakh (Pentateuch) and did not comply with Roman decree.
After the Jewish-Roman wars (66-135 CE), Hadrian changed the name of Judaea province to Syria Palaestina; and Jerusalem to Aelia Capitolina, to erase the Jewish ties to the region. From 70 CE, Jews were allowed to practice their religion if they paid the Jewish tax, and after 135 CE, they were barred from Jerusalem except for the day of Tisha B'Av. Centuries later, the Roman Empire embraced Christianism as its religion with the Edict of Thessalonica in 380 CE. Before this, in 313 CE, Emperor Constantine I issued the Edict of Milan, which granted religious freedom for Christians.
Thursday, October 5, 2017
Book Reviewed: The Shepherd of Hermas, by Anonymous
The sacred Scriptures of Hermas
This book is a reproduction of what is in the scared scripture of the Shepard of Hermas. There is no introduction, summary page or commentary on any of the three sections of the holy literature. The Shepherd of Hermas is a work of apocryphal literature. It was regarded as a sacred scripture in the ministry of Jesus Christ during the latter part of second and early third century, and was a part of the first New Testament, the Codex Sinaiticus. The revelation of this book has five visions, twelve mandates, and ten parables that largely focuses on obedience to god and follow the commandments in good faith and they will be rewarded in happiness of everlasting life.
The book’s first verse of first chapter start with the Vison of Hermas.
Hermas Vision 1:1 – “The master, who reared me, had sold me to one Rhoda in Rome. After many years, I met her again, and began to love her as a sister.’ So goes the recollection of a former slave and his revelations. In a state of spiritual and transcendental realm, Hermas sees the loving, blessing, and being aware of God's Grace. In Vision 2:
Hermas, Vision 2[112]:4 “Continue therefore,” said He, “in this ministry, and complete it unto the end. For whosoever fulfill his commandments shall have life; yea such a man (shall have) great honor with the Lord. But whosoever keep not his commandments, fly from their life, and oppose him, and follow not his commandments, but deliver themselves over to death; and each one becomes guilty of his own blood. But I bid thee obey these commandments, and thou shalt have a remedy for thy sins.”
Hermas, Mandate 12 1[44]:1 “He said to me; “Remove from thyself all evil desire, and clothe thyself in the desire which is good and holy; for clothed with this desire thou shalt hate the evil desire, and shalt bridle and direct it as thou wilt.”
Hermas, Parable 10 1[111]:1 “After I had written out this book completely, the angel who had delivered me to the shepherd came to the house where I was, and sat upon a couch, and the shepherd stood at his right hand. Then he called me, and spoke thus unto me.”
The name of Hermas has been mentioned in the Old Testament book of Romans. Romans 16:14 - "Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them." This book has great relevance in Abrahamic teachings and impacted early ministry Jesus Christ. In fact the text in its entirety is available free of charge from many online sources such as;
EarlyChristainWritings.com
http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/lbob/lbob26.htm
https://carm.org/shepherd-of-hermas
This book is a reproduction of what is in the scared scripture of the Shepard of Hermas. There is no introduction, summary page or commentary on any of the three sections of the holy literature. The Shepherd of Hermas is a work of apocryphal literature. It was regarded as a sacred scripture in the ministry of Jesus Christ during the latter part of second and early third century, and was a part of the first New Testament, the Codex Sinaiticus. The revelation of this book has five visions, twelve mandates, and ten parables that largely focuses on obedience to god and follow the commandments in good faith and they will be rewarded in happiness of everlasting life.
The book’s first verse of first chapter start with the Vison of Hermas.
Hermas Vision 1:1 – “The master, who reared me, had sold me to one Rhoda in Rome. After many years, I met her again, and began to love her as a sister.’ So goes the recollection of a former slave and his revelations. In a state of spiritual and transcendental realm, Hermas sees the loving, blessing, and being aware of God's Grace. In Vision 2:
Hermas, Vision 2[112]:4 “Continue therefore,” said He, “in this ministry, and complete it unto the end. For whosoever fulfill his commandments shall have life; yea such a man (shall have) great honor with the Lord. But whosoever keep not his commandments, fly from their life, and oppose him, and follow not his commandments, but deliver themselves over to death; and each one becomes guilty of his own blood. But I bid thee obey these commandments, and thou shalt have a remedy for thy sins.”
Hermas, Mandate 12 1[44]:1 “He said to me; “Remove from thyself all evil desire, and clothe thyself in the desire which is good and holy; for clothed with this desire thou shalt hate the evil desire, and shalt bridle and direct it as thou wilt.”
Hermas, Parable 10 1[111]:1 “After I had written out this book completely, the angel who had delivered me to the shepherd came to the house where I was, and sat upon a couch, and the shepherd stood at his right hand. Then he called me, and spoke thus unto me.”
The name of Hermas has been mentioned in the Old Testament book of Romans. Romans 16:14 - "Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them." This book has great relevance in Abrahamic teachings and impacted early ministry Jesus Christ. In fact the text in its entirety is available free of charge from many online sources such as;
EarlyChristainWritings.com
http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/lbob/lbob26.htm
https://carm.org/shepherd-of-hermas
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Book Reviewed: The Garden on Sunset: A Novel of Golden-Era Hollywood, by Martin Turnbull
The paradise at Sunset Strip
This is a work of fiction where historical figures from the Hollywood silent era intertwine with imaginary characters. The story is set in the famous (? infamous) Garden of Allah, a haven for the Hollywood elite. This was the place where a celebrity could have nonstop, uninhibited fun to the wee hours of the morning. The Hollywood wannabees would hang out at the nearby places such as Schwab’s Pharmacy across from the Villa to be noticed by someone important so that they can live out the dreams in film industry.
This is a novel of friendship between three people who come and stay in Garden of Allah to find success as screenwriters. Marcus Adler, Kathryn Massey and Gwendolyn Brick. They meet very famous men and women; Alla Nazimova, Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, Tallulah Bankhead, George Cukor, Studio and casting directors. Adler like to make acquaintances with a quintessential personality like Nazimova. Known for her flamboyancy who lived in a grand style surrounded by lesbians, gays and couple in lavender marriages. She was also a very influential person to know if one wants to succeed in movie industry. Life at the Villa was at its fullest. Sexual experiments crossed the boundaries of gender in unrestricted form, at the Garden of Allah, a residential complex demolished in 1959.
This book recollects the history of Hollywood through the eyes of three residents. Stars like Alla Nazimova, Harpo Marx, Sergei Rachmaninoff, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Dorothy Parker, Errol Flynn, Ginger Rogers, John Barrymore, Tallulah Bankhead, Kathryn Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, and at one time even Albert Einstein stayed here. This work takes back readers with its exciting history in the form of a fictional story.
The writing of this volume is about average, and the story does not get into any exciting part of the history. This book is the first of the seven book series and it is recommended to readers interested in fiction and the history of Hollywood.
This is a work of fiction where historical figures from the Hollywood silent era intertwine with imaginary characters. The story is set in the famous (? infamous) Garden of Allah, a haven for the Hollywood elite. This was the place where a celebrity could have nonstop, uninhibited fun to the wee hours of the morning. The Hollywood wannabees would hang out at the nearby places such as Schwab’s Pharmacy across from the Villa to be noticed by someone important so that they can live out the dreams in film industry.
This is a novel of friendship between three people who come and stay in Garden of Allah to find success as screenwriters. Marcus Adler, Kathryn Massey and Gwendolyn Brick. They meet very famous men and women; Alla Nazimova, Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, Tallulah Bankhead, George Cukor, Studio and casting directors. Adler like to make acquaintances with a quintessential personality like Nazimova. Known for her flamboyancy who lived in a grand style surrounded by lesbians, gays and couple in lavender marriages. She was also a very influential person to know if one wants to succeed in movie industry. Life at the Villa was at its fullest. Sexual experiments crossed the boundaries of gender in unrestricted form, at the Garden of Allah, a residential complex demolished in 1959.
This book recollects the history of Hollywood through the eyes of three residents. Stars like Alla Nazimova, Harpo Marx, Sergei Rachmaninoff, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Dorothy Parker, Errol Flynn, Ginger Rogers, John Barrymore, Tallulah Bankhead, Kathryn Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, and at one time even Albert Einstein stayed here. This work takes back readers with its exciting history in the form of a fictional story.
The writing of this volume is about average, and the story does not get into any exciting part of the history. This book is the first of the seven book series and it is recommended to readers interested in fiction and the history of Hollywood.
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Book Reviewed: The Wedding of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, by Joseph E Trainor
Ari loves Salome
This is a work of fiction about the wedding of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. The characters, settings and plots are specially created for this work. The author, borrowing a segment from a longer work “Ari Loves Salome,” weaves a story where in the fictitious characters interact with historical figures. The story is about Aristobulus of Chalcis (as Jesus), and his wife Salome, the daughter of Herodias (as Mary Magdalene). This is the love story of Ari and Salome. Much of the book describes their engagement and preparation for the big day to walk the aisle, with the guests from all over the world.
The highlights of the story is events leading to their meeting. During a conversation, Salome had to let him know of her reservation. She tells him, “You know about my family, and I know about yours, but what about Aristobulus the person? Who are you that you will now sit on my couch and eat from my table?” Ari responded. “I am he who is from the One, and the things that belong to the Father have been given to me.” Spoken like Jesus! Later during the conversation, Ari Jesh is very comforting with his words. “When the disciple is divided, there is darkness, yet when Unity happens, everywhere is Light.” Salome was convinced this is the man who makes her happy. She hugs him as he rubbed Salome Maryam’s shoulders, neck and back and embraced her in happiness, the flow carried on. “No wealth or might could bring this desire. The taste of honey and fine spices is what I long to share. I and I (you) unite in love, true and tender love.”
Each half of the royal couple fully believed in their ancestor Herod as a modern, re-incarnated David. He had rebuilt the Temple, and raised the profile of Judaism throughout the Middle East and beyond. Thus they had tremendous faith in their own divinity and destiny. Ari and Salome entered into their union with both the promise of bliss and the expectation of tribulation.
Salome depicted in this story is not the same as the historical Salome who wanted the severed head of John the Baptist on a platter. This Salome represented a temptress and a devilish character who lures everyone away from the path of salvation. In this story, she appears to be soft, restrained and subdued. Despite all this it is interesting to know that Apostle Mark mentions her by name at the time of crucifixion of Jesus. Mark 15:40, “Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome.”
This is a work of fiction about the wedding of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. The characters, settings and plots are specially created for this work. The author, borrowing a segment from a longer work “Ari Loves Salome,” weaves a story where in the fictitious characters interact with historical figures. The story is about Aristobulus of Chalcis (as Jesus), and his wife Salome, the daughter of Herodias (as Mary Magdalene). This is the love story of Ari and Salome. Much of the book describes their engagement and preparation for the big day to walk the aisle, with the guests from all over the world.
The highlights of the story is events leading to their meeting. During a conversation, Salome had to let him know of her reservation. She tells him, “You know about my family, and I know about yours, but what about Aristobulus the person? Who are you that you will now sit on my couch and eat from my table?” Ari responded. “I am he who is from the One, and the things that belong to the Father have been given to me.” Spoken like Jesus! Later during the conversation, Ari Jesh is very comforting with his words. “When the disciple is divided, there is darkness, yet when Unity happens, everywhere is Light.” Salome was convinced this is the man who makes her happy. She hugs him as he rubbed Salome Maryam’s shoulders, neck and back and embraced her in happiness, the flow carried on. “No wealth or might could bring this desire. The taste of honey and fine spices is what I long to share. I and I (you) unite in love, true and tender love.”
Each half of the royal couple fully believed in their ancestor Herod as a modern, re-incarnated David. He had rebuilt the Temple, and raised the profile of Judaism throughout the Middle East and beyond. Thus they had tremendous faith in their own divinity and destiny. Ari and Salome entered into their union with both the promise of bliss and the expectation of tribulation.
Salome depicted in this story is not the same as the historical Salome who wanted the severed head of John the Baptist on a platter. This Salome represented a temptress and a devilish character who lures everyone away from the path of salvation. In this story, she appears to be soft, restrained and subdued. Despite all this it is interesting to know that Apostle Mark mentions her by name at the time of crucifixion of Jesus. Mark 15:40, “Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome.”
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