Maria Magdalena - PAWEŁ NOWAKOWSKI (Autor) (Kraków, 2019)
https://www.znak.com.pl/ksiazka/maria-magdalena-pawel-f-nowakowski-119839
Publikacja recenzowana
We know almost nothing about Mary Magdalene. The mere snippets of information concerning her in the Gospels only indicate an important female figurę in Jesus’ circle who accompanied him in Galilee and Judaea and who was among the first witnesses of his resurrection. The only scene including a dialog berween Mary Magdalenę and Jesus, related with this very event, is not reported in the Synoptic Gospels. This may precisely be the reason why Mary Magdlenę has stimulated the imagination of biblical scholars and artists alike. The various images of the saint created over the ages have largely been an attempt to answer questions emerging from the lack of sources. Studying them is a fascinating journey through culture. Starting with interpretations of the biblical scene of Jesus being anointed by an adulteress, who has been considered by many to be Mary Magdalenę herself, we bave the opportunity to examine the authors’ intentions we need to capture along with their errors, with deliberate fabrications debunked. Historical investigation also makes it possible to reflect on what the presence of a woman near Jesus was like and whether it meant she was his disciple. Since Mary Magdalenę became a witness of the resurrection, questions arise about her relationship with Jesus and her understanding of his mission. The explanations go beyond orthodoxy to gnostic teachings and to contemporary beliefs about Mary Magdalenę as St. Peters rival in leading the Apostles. The book also considers the later fate of Mary Magdalenę, the legend of her arrival in the south of France and her hermit life there. Sensational contemporary intepretations superimposed on it build pseudo-histories upon loose associations, for example speculating on the still living offspring of Magdalenę and Jesus. With Dan Browns publishing success and the film adaptation of The Da Vinci Codę, such theories never cease to be discussed. Mary Magdalenę: Biography is intended to guide the rea der through the culturally established images of the saint. It points to their origins and important moments that formed them, suggesting the motives behind their inconsistencies and contradictions. It exposes techni cal shortcomings and obvious fabrications of modern authors dealing with the topie. The book uses a variety of sources, from the Bibie, through gnostic texts, wri tings of the Church Fathers and medieval authors, to modern paintings, contemporary literaturę and the ly rics of popular musie
Keywords: nauki o kulturze i religii