The Mary We Forgot: What the Apostle to the Apostles Teaches the Church Today

Setting the Story Straight about Mary Magdalene Mary Magdalene's life was transformed when she was healed by Christ and joined his ministry from Galilee to Jerusalem. The Gospels teach that she was also a witness at the cross and the first one sent by Christ to preach his resurrection. Yet her story is often confused, scandalized, and undervalued by the church. In The Mary We Forgot , award-winning church historian and theologian Jennifer Powell McNutt unpacks Scripture and history to reveal the real Mary Magdalene: the first apostle of the good news and a model of discipleship for both men and women today. "By helping us find the real Mary, this book does what Mary's own story does. It points us to Jesus, the King and Savior who healed her and changed her life." -- Esau McCaulley (from the foreword) "At a time when we have forgotten so many biblical women, this book calls us to remember one of the most crucial. Take up and read!" -- Beth Allison Barr , professor, Baylor University; bestselling author of The Making of Biblical Womanhood "It is difficult to praise this book too highly. I commend it to all who want to follow Jesus, especially those interested in the attention, dignity, and tasks of ministry that he gave (and gives) to women in the church. Highly recommended!" -- Tish Harrison Warren , Anglican priest, former New York Times columnist, and author of Liturgy of the Ordinary and Prayer in the Night "The fanciful story of prostitute-turned-saint makes for good drama, but what does Scripture really say about this Mary? McNutt rightly dwells on what the Gospels teach: her faith and deep devotion to Jesus. This was a delight to read." -- Nijay K. Gupta , professor, Northern Seminary; author of Tell Her Story "A rich and provocative book that brings the larger biblical narrative to life again."-- Karen Swallow Prior , author of The Evangelical Imagination: How Stories, Images, and Metaphors Created a Culture in Crisis "McNutt leaves no stone unturned in her quest for the real Mary Magdalene. This book was a joy to read!"-- Carmen Joy Imes , associate professor, Talbot School of Theology; author of Being God's Image and Bearing God's Name