PCS 310 Mary Magdalene: A Leader for the First and Twenty-first Centuries
Presented by Dr. Shirley Paulson
Christians have imagined Mary Magdalene as the repentant prostitute for well over a thousand years, but now, after the discovery of the Gospel of Mary and other early Christian writings, we know there is far more to her story than we have imagined. She was certainly the one person most closely associated with the resurrection of Jesus. Was she actually one of Jesus’s disciples? Or even the first apostle? In our own complex and confusing world of the 21st century, what we learn from Mary can startle us with refreshing spiritual insights. They are profoundly relevant today for men and women who resonate with the teachings and acts of Jesus.
Shirley Paulson, PhD,
Shirley Paulson is the principal producer of Early Christian Texts: The Bible and Beyond. This website features her blog, Zoom discussions, and podcasts highlighting the work of other scholars. Shirley’s academic work focuses on early Christian writings, especially those relating to healing practices and theology. Her book is Illuminating the Secret Revelation of John: Catching the Light,(Cascade Books, 2022), and she contributed to a chapter in Westar’s After Jesus Before Christianity (HarperOne 2021). She currently serves on the Westar Institute’s Board of Directors and writes for its Fourth R magazine. Prior to this work, Shirley served as the first Head of Ecumenical Affairs for the global headquarters of the Christian Science Church and served on the Board of the North American Academy of Ecumenists.Â
Example Curriculum
Introducing the World of Mary Magdalene
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- Course Dates and Zoom Link
- 1. Introduction to Mary Magdalene: A Leader for the First and Twenty-First Centuries (5:46)
- 2. Before We Get Started (2:28)
- 3. Did Jesus Kiss Mary? (6:57)
- 4. Meeting Mary the Magdalene (6:38)
- 5. Women in Greco-Roman Society During Biblical Times (7:00)
- 6. What is the Gospel of Mary? (6:33)
- Your Thoughts Related to Section 1
- Recording of Class 1 Discussion (60:01)
Becoming Familiar with the Gospel of Mary
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- 7. What is the Gospel of Mary About? (15:00)
- 8. Your Own Relationship with the Gospel of Mary (1:20)
- 9. Who Are the People in the Gospel of Mary? (5:00)
- 10. Mary's Vision (8:40)
- 11. Evidence of Mary's Leadership (8:04)
- 12. Opposition to Mary (4:31)
- Your Thoughts Related to Section 2
- Recording of Class 2 Discussion (59:47)
Understanding the Spiritual Element of Mary's Life and Teaching
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- 13. The Rise of the Soul (9:02)
- 14. Is There No Sin? (6:47)
- 15. Mary, the One Who Does Not Waver (5:46)
- 16. Dissolving Matter (6:22)
- 17. The Power of Mind (6:18)
- 18. The Teaching of Healing (5:42)
- Self-Graded Quiz for Sections 1-3
- Your Thoughts Related to Section 3
- Recording of Class 3 Discussion (59:54)
Expanding Our Understanding of Mary Through Less Familiar Writings
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- 19. Which Mary? (7:29)
- 20. Mary Better Known in Extracanonical Texts (10:07)
- 21. Pause and Ponder: Which Texts Resonate with You? (1:41)
- 22. Peter and Mary (6:14)
- 23. Mary in the Gospel of Thomas (8:11)
- 24. Mary at Jesus's Resurrection (7:49)
- 25. What Was Going On Before the Adoption of the Nicene Creed? (6:25)
- Your Thoughts Related to Section 4
- Recording of Class 4 Discussion (62:13)
How Does Mary Magdalene Fit (Or Not Fit) with the Bible?
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Understanding Mary Magdalene from a Twenty-First Century Perspective
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- 32. When and How Did the Gospel of Mary Get Here? (10:34)
- 33. Was Mary a Gnostic? (8:20)
- 34. Mary Remembered in Art (11:04)
- 35. Mary the Successor to Jesus: New Possibilities (8:20)
- 36. What Have We Learned from Mary Magdalene? (9:13)
- Self-graded Quiz for Sections 4 - 6
- Recording of Class 6 Discussion (60:54)
Courses offered by Dr. Shirley Paulson
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