The gospel starts off with Jesus talking with some of his followers and telling them about sins. He continues to tell his followers about the sin of adultery. After speaking for a while Jesus gets up and leaves and the people are left confused. Then comes Mary and they ask her about the words of the Savior. The rest of the story goes on with Mary explaining her talks with Jesus to the people. (Some of the pages are missing in the middle). Near the end two of the followers question Mary about whether these were truly the words of the Savior or not. Peter continues to ask, "Has the Savior spoken secretly to a woman and not openly so that we would all hear?" This shows their concern as to why the Savior would share all this with a woman and not his male followers. In the end Levi comes up and tells them that they shouldn't have doubts about the Savior, rather they should go out and convey his message.
I believe that Jesus’ character in the Gospel of Mary fits Eliade’s definition of ‘religious man’ quite well. Mircea Eliade believes that religious man is someone, for whom anything in nature could be a result of a religious experience or a religious symbol. The way Jesus tells Mary about the visions coming from the soul and the way he tells his followers about the sins of the world, his character fits in to that of the ‘religious man’ that Eliade speaks so often about. Likewise, the place where he stays to talk to his companions and give them advice could be known as his ‘sacred space’.
Showing how much the followers of the Savior cared about him and how much his opinion mattered to them is the message that this piece is trying to get through. Constantly questioning him and even asking Mary for any information on what the Savior has told her shows that they are really concerned about Jesus and the advice that he has to give them.
I need help expanding my 2nd paragraph..I'm supposed to compare the gospel of Mary to another text. So I'm comparing it to Eliade's 'the sacred and the profane'. But I need to write some more onthat. are there any other points that I can compare.?
These sites may help you.
http://www.bytrent.demon.co.uk/eliadecom02.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mircea_Eliade
Thankyou, but I already searched both of those web sites thoroughly..I was actually looking for some extra help.
Thanks though
In comparing the Gospel of Mary with Eliade's "The Sacred and the Profane," there are several additional points that can be explored:
1. Sacred Space: In the Gospel of Mary, Jesus chooses a specific location to share his teachings and wisdom with his followers. This sacred space signifies a place where the divine realm intersects with the human world. Similarly, in "The Sacred and the Profane," Eliade discusses how sacred spaces, such as temples or sanctuaries, serve as portals to the transcendent and are imbued with a sense of holiness.
2. Divine Revelation: Jesus's communication with Mary and her subsequent role as a messenger to the other disciples highlights the concept of divine revelation. According to Eliade, religious experiences involve a direct encounter with the sacred and reveal profound truths about the nature of existence. Mary's conversation with Jesus can be seen as a form of divine revelation, where she gains insight into spiritual matters and shares it with the others.
3. Religious Symbols: Eliade emphasizes the importance of religious symbols in connecting individuals to the sacred. In the Gospel of Mary, Jesus speaks about visions coming from the soul and discusses sins and moral concerns, which can be seen as symbolic representations of religious ideas. By relating these concepts to symbolic language, Jesus provides his followers with a framework to understand and engage with the religious aspects of life.
4. Gender and Authority: The interaction between Mary and the disciples raises questions about gender and authority within religious contexts. Peter's skepticism and emphasis on Jesus speaking secretly to a woman reflects societal norms and the struggle for women to be recognized as legitimate religious figures. This parallels the discussion in Eliade's work about gender roles and the power dynamics within religious institutions.
By considering these additional points, you can further explore how the Gospel of Mary aligns with Eliade's ideas on the sacred, religious experiences, symbols, and the dynamics of authority within a religious framework.
In comparing the Gospel of Mary to Mircea Eliade's "The Sacred and the Profane," there are several additional points of comparison that can be explored to enrich your analysis.
Firstly, in both texts, there is a clear distinction between the sacred and the profane. In "The Sacred and the Profane," Eliade explains that religious phenomena are seen as inherently sacred, while everyday, ordinary experiences and objects are considered profane. This differentiation between the sacred and the profane is also evident in the Gospel of Mary. Jesus's teachings and insights are viewed as sacred by his followers, and they seek clarity and understanding from Mary regarding his words. This highlights the revered status of Jesus and the significance attributed to his teachings, designating them as sacred within the context of the narrative.
Furthermore, both texts explore the notion of religious experiences and visions. In "The Sacred and the Profane," Eliade emphasizes the transcendental experiences and encounters with the divine that shape religious consciousness. These religious experiences often involve visions, dreams, and altered states of consciousness. Similarly, in the Gospel of Mary, Jesus speaks about visions coming from the soul and the significance of inner, spiritual insights. This suggests that Jesus, in line with Eliade's concept of religious experience, encourages his followers to seek transcendent experiences and engage with their spiritual selves.
Another point of comparison is the idea of a sacred space. In "The Sacred and the Profane," Eliade discusses how certain locations or physical spaces can be considered sacred and set apart from the profane world. Similarly, in the Gospel of Mary, the place where Jesus talks to his companions and imparts his teachings could be seen as his sacred space. This space becomes a focal point for religious learning and interaction between Jesus and his followers, emphasizing the importance of physical settings in religious contexts.
Lastly, it is worth examining the role of doubt and questioning in both texts. In "The Sacred and the Profane," Eliade acknowledges that doubt is an integral part of religious experience, as it encourages individuals to seek answers and deeper spiritual understanding. This can also be observed in the Gospel of Mary, where the followers of Jesus express their doubts and concerns about why Jesus would share his teachings privately with Mary instead of openly with all of them. This questioning not only reflects the followers' desire for clarity but also illustrates the complexity of religious belief and the need to reconcile uncertainties within religious experiences.
By delving deeper into these comparisons between the Gospel of Mary and Eliade's "The Sacred and the Profane," you can offer a more comprehensive analysis that highlights the shared themes and insights within both texts.