I'd recommend Fr. Sean Davidson's"Mary Magdalene Prophetess of Eucharistic Love." In this book he goes over Church tradition that say Mary Magdalene, Mary of Bethany, and the penitent woman of Luke 7:36-50 are the same woman.
One is free to believe this "identification theory" or not but personally it has helped me understand this wonderful, but somewhat controversial, saint better.
The connection of Mary Magdalene & Mary of Bethany has some real tension concerning tradition vs. Sacred Scripture. Most of the contemporary biblical scholarship that I’ve come across suggests that the traditional position is untenable with modern textual analysis which falls on the side that Mary of Bethany & Mary of Magdala are two different people.
In fact, because of this, I am of the opinion that the two are different people. In my opinion, this, in fact, highlights the uniqueness of Mary Magdalene.
I agree, I am of the opinion that they're two different people. I think the book sounds interesting, though, because I'd like to hear why the author may think the two Marys are the same and what the arguments are for that theory.
Why would it be untenable? John 11:2 identifies Mary, the brother of Lazarus as the woman who anointed with perfumed oil and dried his feet with her hair. In the past tense, as a previous event.
The woman is unidentified in Matthew & Mark. Luke features an unknown sinful woman. The patristic tradition applies the identity, the textual evidence only identifies the woman in John’s gospel & is neither supported nor contradicted by the Synoptics. The current consensus suggests the textual context makes the distinctions clear when they are made, the scene in the narrative periscope you mention doesn’t support either opinion.
I see your point. I believe I saw a comment of yours in a different post where you mention something along the lines of tradition being backed up by scripture and I can see how, based on that, Mary of Bethany and Mary of Magdalene would be two different women.
I would still recommend Fr. Sean Davidson's book if you're interested in the least. Going back to my original post, we are not bound to believe the identification theory.
I still think tradition is very strong on the point. So, I think it’s valid if one thinks they’re the same based on it. Scripture doesn’t support it, or rather, I should say it does make clear distinction when it does intends to do so.
If I were to make an argument for support, & maybe this is what the book does that you recommend, I’d look from a historical position to ante-nicene fathers who these people would still exist in the living memory of those people. So, say 2-3 generations past.
This has given me pause for thought on three levels. One, out of curiousity where was Lazarus? It is more than likely that the third Mary was Mary of Bethany. It had to be someone who lived nearby. It is reasonable that since the Bible mentions disciples not just apostles at the Last Supper, Mary of Bethany was there. She was certainly a disciple, plus the Passover was a family and close friends celebration. So where was Lazarus?Two it is a very reasonable assumption that Lazarus was very afraid, and my immediate thought was, 'how could he be so self centered '? Of course, I never would be which leads to the third realization which Jenny speaks of. Take a hard look at myself. I probably would have been right behind the apostles, disciples and Lazarus!!!!!!
I'd recommend Fr. Sean Davidson's"Mary Magdalene Prophetess of Eucharistic Love." In this book he goes over Church tradition that say Mary Magdalene, Mary of Bethany, and the penitent woman of Luke 7:36-50 are the same woman.
One is free to believe this "identification theory" or not but personally it has helped me understand this wonderful, but somewhat controversial, saint better.
The connection of Mary Magdalene & Mary of Bethany has some real tension concerning tradition vs. Sacred Scripture. Most of the contemporary biblical scholarship that I’ve come across suggests that the traditional position is untenable with modern textual analysis which falls on the side that Mary of Bethany & Mary of Magdala are two different people.
In fact, because of this, I am of the opinion that the two are different people. In my opinion, this, in fact, highlights the uniqueness of Mary Magdalene.
I agree, I am of the opinion that they're two different people. I think the book sounds interesting, though, because I'd like to hear why the author may think the two Marys are the same and what the arguments are for that theory.
Why would it be untenable? John 11:2 identifies Mary, the brother of Lazarus as the woman who anointed with perfumed oil and dried his feet with her hair. In the past tense, as a previous event.
Granted, I'm far from being a biblical scholar.
The woman is unidentified in Matthew & Mark. Luke features an unknown sinful woman. The patristic tradition applies the identity, the textual evidence only identifies the woman in John’s gospel & is neither supported nor contradicted by the Synoptics. The current consensus suggests the textual context makes the distinctions clear when they are made, the scene in the narrative periscope you mention doesn’t support either opinion.
I see your point. I believe I saw a comment of yours in a different post where you mention something along the lines of tradition being backed up by scripture and I can see how, based on that, Mary of Bethany and Mary of Magdalene would be two different women.
I would still recommend Fr. Sean Davidson's book if you're interested in the least. Going back to my original post, we are not bound to believe the identification theory.
Hope you have a Blessed Easter.
I still think tradition is very strong on the point. So, I think it’s valid if one thinks they’re the same based on it. Scripture doesn’t support it, or rather, I should say it does make clear distinction when it does intends to do so.
If I were to make an argument for support, & maybe this is what the book does that you recommend, I’d look from a historical position to ante-nicene fathers who these people would still exist in the living memory of those people. So, say 2-3 generations past.
I've never heard of that book, I'll look it up. Thanks, Walther!
This has given me pause for thought on three levels. One, out of curiousity where was Lazarus? It is more than likely that the third Mary was Mary of Bethany. It had to be someone who lived nearby. It is reasonable that since the Bible mentions disciples not just apostles at the Last Supper, Mary of Bethany was there. She was certainly a disciple, plus the Passover was a family and close friends celebration. So where was Lazarus?Two it is a very reasonable assumption that Lazarus was very afraid, and my immediate thought was, 'how could he be so self centered '? Of course, I never would be which leads to the third realization which Jenny speaks of. Take a hard look at myself. I probably would have been right behind the apostles, disciples and Lazarus!!!!!!