The Gospel of Philip: Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and the Gnosis of Sacred Union - Softcover

Leloup, Jean-Yves

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1594770220 ISBN 13: 9781594770227

Publisher: Inner Traditions, 2004

Synopsis

Rare Book

About this title

Review:

“In this rich and lucid translation, Jean-Yves Leloup unlocks mysteries of the enigmatic bridal chamber found in the Gospel of Philip and sheds new light on their associations with Jewish esoteric tradition.” (Margaret Starbird, author of The Woman with the Alabaster Jar: Mary Magdalene and the Holy Grail)

“For scholars and seekers alike, every page of this book opens profound new dimensions in the teachings of Jesus.” (Jacob Needleman, author of Lost Christianity and The American Soul)

"This book displays new and profound facets and dimensions in the teachings of Jesus." (East and West Series, Vol. 48, No. 2, Feb 2006)

From the Back Cover:

CHRISTIAN STUDIES / MYSTICISM "In this rich and lucid translation, Jean-Yves Leloup unlocks mysteries of the enigmatic bridal chamber found in the Gospel of Philip and sheds new light on their associations with Jewish esoteric tradition." --Margaret Starbird, author of The Woman with the Alabaster Jar: Mary Magdalen and the Holy Grail "For scholars and seekers alike, every page of this book opens profound new dimensions in the teachings of Jesus." --Jacob Needleman, author of Lost Christianity and The American Soul The mainstream position of the Christian church on sexuality was perhaps best summed up by Pope Innocent III (1160-1216) when he stated that "the sexual act is so shameful that it is intrinsically evil." Another Christian theologian maintained that "the Holy Ghost is absent from the room shared by a wedded couple." The apostle Philip, however, records in his gospel that Christ said precisely the opposite: The nuptial chamber is in fact the holy of holies. For Philip the Holy Trinity includes the feminine presence--God is the Father, the Holy Ghost is the Mother, and Jesus is the Son--and neither man nor woman alone is created in the image of God. It is only in their relationship with one another--the sacred embrace in which they share the divine breath--that they resemble God. The Gospel of Philip is best known for its portrayal of the physical relationship shared by Jesus and his most beloved disciple, Mary Magdalene. Because it ran counter to Church dogma, however, which condemned "the works of the flesh," Philip's gospel was suppressed and eventually lost until rediscovered at Nag Hammadi in 1947. Orthodox theologian Jean-Yves Leloup's translation of the gospel from the Coptic and his analysis of this scripture are presented here for the first time in English. What emerges from this important source text is a restoration of the sacred initiatic union between the male and the female principles that was once at the heart of Christianity's sacred mystery. JEAN-YVES LELOUP, an Orthodox theologian and professor of theology, philosophy, and psychology, is the founder of the International College of Therapists. His other books include The Gospel of Mary Magdalene and a forthcoming translation and commentary on the Gospel of Thomas. He lives in France.

About this edition

• Publisher: Inner Traditions
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 1594770220
• ISBN 13: 9781594770227
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 192