Did Jesus Christ Have a Girlfriend?
Some Academic Scholars think Maybe He Did.
Whether Jesus had an intimate relationship with Mary Magdalene has been debated among scholars and laypeople. While the canonical Gospels do not explicitly mention a romantic connection between the two, several non-canonical texts have raised the possibility of a more intimate relationship between them.
One such text is the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, discovered in the late 19th century in Egypt. This Gospel, along with other Gnostic Gospels, was not included in the New Testament but provided insight into the beliefs and practices of some early Christian communities.
In this text, Mary Magdalene is portrayed as a spiritual leader and disciple of Jesus who receives divine revelations and teachings from him. The Gospel of Mary Magdalene also suggests that Mary had a close relationship with Jesus that went beyond that of a mere disciple.
This Gospel contains passages that hint at a romantic relationship between the two. For instance, in one section, Mary tells the other disciples that she had seen the Lord in a vision, and he had kissed her. Some scholars interpret this as a symbolic reference to a spiritual union, while others suggest that it may indicate a more physical and intimate connection.
Another non-canonical text used to support the relationship between Jesus and Mary is the Gospel of Thomas, one of the texts found in the Nag Hammadi Library.
This text contains sayings attributed to Jesus, many of which are not found in the canonical Gospels. One of the sayings in this text has been interpreted as suggesting that Jesus may have had a romantic relationship with Mary.
The saying in question is logion 114: “Simon Peter said to them, ‘Let Mary leave us, for women are not worthy of life.’ Jesus said, ‘I shall lead her to make her male, so that she too may become a living spirit, resembling you males. For every woman who will make herself male will enter the kingdom of heaven.’”
Elaine Pagels, a leading scholar of early Christianity and the Gnostic Gospels, has written extensively on Mary Magdalene’s role in early Christianity. In her book “The Gnostic Gospels,” Pagels discusses the significance of Mary Magdalene’s role as a teacher and leader, challenging the patriarchal structures of early Christianity.
Pagels also argues that Mary’s relationship with Jesus was likely more complex than is portrayed in the canonical Gospels. In her book “Beyond Belief,” Pagels suggests that the Gospel of Philip, another Gnostic text, contains passages that indicate that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married.
Despite the evidence presented in these non-canonical texts, the idea of a romantic relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene remains controversial. Some scholars have argued that the texts in question are unreliable historical sources, while others suggest that the references to intimacy may be metaphorical rather than literal.
Nevertheless, the idea of a relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene continues to captivate the popular imagination. It remains a fascination and debate among scholars and the general public.
In conclusion, while the idea of Jesus Christ having a romantic relationship may seem controversial, the Gnostic texts found in the Dead Sea Scrolls and other sources suggest that there is more to the story of Jesus than what is presented in traditional Christian scripture. Elaine Pagels and other scholars have brought to light the existence of these texts, which provide insight into the diverse range of beliefs and practices that existed among early Christian communities.
While the texts themselves may be subject to interpretation, what is clear is that they challenge traditional notions of gender roles and relationships and offer a more complex and nuanced understanding of the life of Jesus and his followers.
Whether or not Jesus had a girlfriend or was married, these texts remind us that history is often more complicated than we initially assumed and that we should be open to exploring new perspectives and ideas.
As the poet Rumi once wrote, “When you let go of who you are, you become who you might be.”
In the same way, by letting go of our preconceptions about Jesus and the early Christian community, we can open ourselves up to new possibilities and a deeper understanding of the past.
Works Cited:
King, Karen L. “The Gospel of Mary of Magdala: Jesus and the First Woman Apostle.” Polebridge Press, 2003.
Meyer, Marvin, ed. “The Nag Hammadi Scriptures: The International Edition.” HarperCollins, 2007.
Pagels, Elaine. “The Gnostic Gospels.” Random House, 1979.
Pagels, Elaine. “Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas.” Vintage, 2003.
Robinson, James M., ed. “The Nag Hammadi Library.” HarperCollins, 1990.
Turner, John D. “The Gospel According to Mary Magdalene.” Trinity Press International, 2004.