Type of Document Master's Thesis Author Owen, Rachel D. Author's Email Address drwtowen@earthlink.net URN etd-04172007-205028 Title Mary of Magdala: The Evolution of an Image Degree Master of Arts Department Religious Studies Advisory Committee
Advisor Name Title Louis A ruprecht, Jr. Committee Chair Keywords
- Mary of Magdala
- Gnostic gospels
- Canonical gospels
- Medieval saint
Date of Defense 2006-12-03 Availability unrestricted Abstract Mary of Magdala: The Evolution of an Imageby
Rachel Owen
Under the Direction of Louis A. Ruprecht, Jr.
ABSTRACT
In this study, Mary of Magdala will be presented as a cumulative character consisting of multiple layers rather than as a concrete historical figure, for this allows one to see the opaque connections between her divergent textual and traditional (medieval) images. The “historical” Mary does, however, find a place here--she is presented only as a persistent early Christian belief in the veracity of her figure, and as the foundation for both the textual and traditional Mary.
In light of this, the textual, the “historical,” and the medieval will be examined as these comprise the materials out of which Mary’s cumulative layers were made--the understanding of one aids in the understanding of another. Ultimately, this study will examine the many layers of Mary’s character in hopes that the contradictions existing between the “historical,” the textual, and the traditional will diminish, thus giving equal consideration to all.
INDEX WORDS: Mary of Magdala, Canonical texts, Gnostic texts, Medieval saint,
Apostles, Saint Mary Magdalene, Early Christianity
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