The Mary Magdalene tradition : witness and counter-witness in early Christian communities / Holly E. Hearon.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hearon, Holly E.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mary Magdalene, Saint.

Mary Magdalene.

Women--Religious aspects--Christianity.

Women.

Physical Description:

xi, 236 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Collegeville, Minnesota : Liturgical Press, [2004]

Summary:

By examining the rhetorical function of the post-resurrection appearance to Mary Magdalene traditions in early Christian communities, Holly E. Hearon draws connections between these ancient communities and the life of the Church today. Beginning with a reconstruction of the practice of storytelling in the world of antiquity, Hearon situates the Magdalene narratives in this oral, storytelling environment. Focusing on the fluid nature of storytelling, Hearon explores how the traditions were used to further arguments by storytellers with respect to women's leadership in Christian communities.

Contents:

Previous Studies of the Magdalene Tradition 2

Context and Commitments 17

Chapter 2 Storytelling in the World of Antiquity 19

Literary Remains of Storytelling in Greco-Roman Texts 22

Literary Remains of Storytelling in Jewish Texts 32

Literary Remains of Storytelling in Christian Texts 36

Chapter 3 The Written and the Oral Text 43

Analysis of Mark 16:9-11 47

Analysis of John 20:1-18 57

Analysis of Matthew 28:9-10 66

Chapter 4 Functions of the Mary Magdalene Tradition in Storytelling Circles 77

Storytellers and Audiences in Context 78

The Magdalene Tradition as Story 81

The Intersection of Storyteller, Story, Audience, and Context in Performance 90

Chapter 5 Storytelling Strategies in Matthew: The Function of the Mary Magdalene Tradition in Its Literary Context 101

Weaving the Tradition into the Gospel Narrative 103

Storytelling Strategies: The Characterization of the Women 106

Storytelling Strategies: The Women and the Disciples 113

Chapter 6 The Mary Magdalene Tradition and Matthean Communities: The Function of the Tradition in Response to Historical Circumstances 121

Women in the Gospel of Matthew 122

Speaking for Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew 133

Chapter 7 Storytelling Strategies in John: The Function of the Mary Magdalene Tradition in Its Literary Context 147

Weaving the Tradition into the Gospel Narrative 148

Storytelling Strategies: The Characterization of Mary Magdalene 151

Storytelling Strategies: Mary Magdalene and the Disciples 161

Chapter 8 The Mary Magdalene Tradition and Johannine Communities: The Function of the Tradition in Response to Historical Circumstances 169

Women in the Gospel of John 170

The Disciples in the Gospel of John 183

A. Storytelling by Women in Greco-Roman Texts 199

B. Storytelling by Men in Greco-Roman Texts 201

C. Storytelling in Jewish Texts 204

D. Storytelling in the Second Testament 209

E. Appearance Stories in Greco-Roman Texts 214

F. Appearance Stories in the Talmud 216

G. Appearance Stories in the Second Testament 218.

Notes:

"A Michael Glazier Book."

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0814651208

OCLC:

55022182