From Gary... Are you going down the right road?

I think this picture comes from New Jersey; on the road leading to Pennsylvania. Anyway, today, as I am looking at the picture I realize how unambiguous the message here is.  And that message on the right is priceless!!!!  Although this seems a bit ridiculous, I am sure some people will misconstrue the meaning of the left two signs and just scratch their heads in bemusement!!! This reminds me of a passage from the book of Acts, which man people have twisted beyond belief. Read on...

Acts, Chapter 2 (WEB)

14  But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke out to them, “You men of Judea, and all you who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words.  15 For these aren’t drunken, as you suppose, seeing it is only the third hour of the day.  16 But this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel: 

  17 ‘It will be in the last days, says God,

that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.

Your sons and your daughters will prophesy.

Your young men will see visions.

Your old men will dream dreams.

  18 Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days,

I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy.

  19 I will show wonders in the sky above,

and signs on the earth beneath;

blood, and fire, and billows of smoke.

  20 The sun will be turned into darkness,

and the moon into blood,

before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes.

  21 It will be, that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

  22  “Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in your midst, even as you yourselves know,  23 him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed; 24 whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it.  25 For David says concerning him, 

‘I saw the Lord always before my face,

For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved.

  26 Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced.

Moreover my flesh also will dwell in hope;

  27 because you will not leave my soul in Hades,

neither will you allow your Holy One to see decay.

  28 You made known to me the ways of life.

You will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

  29  “Brothers, I may tell you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,  31 he foreseeing this spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was his soul left in Hades, nor did his flesh see decay.  32 This Jesus God raised up, to which we all are witnesses.  33 Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this, which you now see and hear. 34 For David didn’t ascend into the heavens, but he says himself, 

‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit by my right hand,

  35 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’

  36  “Let all the house of Israel therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 

  37  Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 

  38  Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  39 For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.”  40 With many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” 

The apostles had just spoken in tongues (the original word for tongues which means known languages) Peter explains what is going on, why and what they must do. They didn't need to be told to believe in God, or to confess there sins, they already understood these things. They just needed to be told how to be saved- '“Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ..."'

Many people teach that 2:38 is unnecessary for salvation; if this is true, then why did Peter preach it? Good question, isn't it?  Your salvation depends upon understanding this correctly, so read all this very carefully and do what is right!!!  Or, do I really need to make a sign like that above....????

From Gary... Bible Reading February 25

Bible Reading  

February 25

The World English Bible

Feb. 24

Exodus 5

Exo 5:1 Afterward Moses and Aaron came, and said to Pharaoh, "This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, 'Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.' "

Exo 5:2 Pharaoh said, "Who is Yahweh, that I should listen to his voice to let Israel go? I don't know Yahweh, and moreover I will not let Israel go."

Exo 5:3 They said, "The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us go three days' journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to Yahweh, our God, lest he fall on us with pestilence, or with the sword."

Exo 5:4 The king of Egypt said to them, "Why do you, Moses and Aaron, take the people from their work? Get back to your burdens!"

Exo 5:5 Pharaoh said, "Behold, the people of the land are now many, and you make them rest from their burdens."

Exo 5:6 The same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,

Exo 5:7 "You shall no longer give the people straw to make brick, as before. Let them go and gather straw for themselves.

Exo 5:8 The number of the bricks, which they made before, you require from them. You shall not diminish anything of it, for they are idle; therefore they cry, saying, 'Let us go and sacrifice to our God.'

Exo 5:9 Let heavier work be laid on the men, that they may labor therein; and don't let them pay any attention to lying words."

Exo 5:10 The taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spoke to the people, saying, This is what Pharaoh says: "I will not give you straw.

Exo 5:11 Go yourselves, get straw where you can find it, for nothing of your work shall be diminished."

Exo 5:12 So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw.

Exo 5:13 The taskmasters were urgent saying, "Fulfill your work quota daily, as when there was straw!"

Exo 5:14 The officers of the children of Israel, whom Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, "Why haven't you fulfilled your quota both yesterday and today, in making brick as before?"

Exo 5:15 Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, saying, "Why do you deal this way with your servants?

Exo 5:16 No straw is given to your servants, and they tell us, 'Make brick!' and behold, your servants are beaten; but the fault is in your own people."

Exo 5:17 But he said, "You are idle! You are idle! Therefore you say, 'Let us go and sacrifice to Yahweh.'

Exo 5:18 Go therefore now, and work, for no straw shall be given to you, yet you shall deliver the same number of bricks!"

Exo 5:19 The officers of the children of Israel saw that they were in trouble, when it was said, "You shall not diminish anything from your daily quota of bricks!"

Exo 5:20 They met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh:

Exo 5:21 and they said to them, "May Yahweh look at you, and judge, because you have made us a stench to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to kill us."

Exo 5:22 Moses returned to Yahweh, and said, "Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Why is it that you have sent me?

Exo 5:23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people; neither have you delivered your people at all."

Feb. 25

Exodus 6

Exo 6:1 Yahweh said to Moses, "Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh, for by a strong hand he shall let them go, and by a strong hand he shall drive them out of his land."

Exo 6:2 God spoke to Moses, and said to him, "I am Yahweh;

Exo 6:3 and I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty; but by my name Yahweh I was not known to them.

Exo 6:4 I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their travels, in which they lived as aliens.

Exo 6:5 Moreover I have heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage, and I have remembered my covenant.

Exo 6:6 Therefore tell the children of Israel, 'I am Yahweh, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm, and with great judgments:

Exo 6:7 and I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God; and you shall know that I am Yahweh your God, who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

Exo 6:8 I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it to you for a heritage: I am Yahweh.' "

Exo 6:9 Moses spoke so to the children of Israel, but they didn't listen to Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.

Exo 6:10 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Exo 6:11 "Go in, speak to Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land."

Exo 6:12 Moses spoke before Yahweh, saying, "Behold, the children of Israel haven't listened to me. How then shall Pharaoh listen to me, who am of uncircumcised lips?"

Exo 6:13 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, and gave them a command to the children of Israel, and to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.

Exo 6:14 These are the heads of their fathers' houses. The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi; these are the families of Reuben.

Exo 6:15 The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman; these are the families of Simeon.

Exo 6:16 These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari; and the years of the life of Levi were one hundred thirty-seven years.

Exo 6:17 The sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei, according to their families.

Exo 6:18 The sons of Kohath: Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel; and the years of the life of Kohath were one hundred thirty-three years.

Exo 6:19 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their generations.

Exo 6:20 Amram took Jochebed his father's sister to himself as wife; and she bore him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram were a hundred and thirty-seven years.

Exo 6:21 The sons of Izhar: Korah, and Nepheg, and Zichri.

Exo 6:22 The sons of Uzziel: Mishael, and Elzaphan, and Sithri.

Exo 6:23 Aaron took Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab, the sister of Nahshon, as his wife; and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.

Exo 6:24 The sons of Korah: Assir, and Elkanah, and Abiasaph; these are the families of the Korahites.

Exo 6:25 Eleazar Aaron's son took one of the daughters of Putiel as his wife; and she bore him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites according to their families.

Exo 6:26 These are that Aaron and Moses, to whom Yahweh said, "Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies."

Exo 6:27 These are those who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt. These are that Moses and Aaron.

Exo 6:28 It happened on the day when Yahweh spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt,

Exo 6:29 that Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, "I am Yahweh. Speak to Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I speak to you."

Exo 6:30 Moses said before Yahweh, "Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh listen to me?"

 Feb. 24, 25

Matthew 28

Mat 28:1 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.

Mat 28:2 Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky, and came and rolled away the stone from the door, and sat on it.

Mat 28:3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.

Mat 28:4 For fear of him, the guards shook, and became like dead men.

Mat 28:5 The angel answered the women, "Don't be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified.

Mat 28:6 He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying.

Mat 28:7 Go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has risen from the dead, and behold, he goes before you into Galilee; there you will see him.' Behold, I have told you."

Mat 28:8 They departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word.

Mat 28:9 As they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice!" They came and took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.

Mat 28:10 Then Jesus said to them, "Don't be afraid. Go tell my brothers that they should go into Galilee, and there they will see me."

Mat 28:11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guards came into the city, and told the chief priests all the things that had happened.

Mat 28:12 When they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave a large amount of silver to the soldiers,

Mat 28:13 saying, "Say that his disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.

Mat 28:14 If this comes to the governor's ears, we will persuade him and make you free of worry."

Mat 28:15 So they took the money and did as they were told. This saying was spread abroad among the Jews, and continues until this day.

Mat 28:16 But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had sent them.

Mat 28:17 When they saw him, they bowed down to him, but some doubted.

Mat 28:18 Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.

Mat 28:19 Therefore go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Mat 28:20 teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. 

From Mark Copeland... The Philosophical Case For Creation

                                     "THE CASE FOR CREATION"

                  The Philosophical Case For Creation

INTRODUCTION

1. In our introduction to "The Case For Creation", we raised several
   basic questions...
   a. Where did life come from?  How did it all begin?
   b. Is matter eternal, with life evolving through purely natural
      processes?
   c. Is matter not eternal, with life created by a supernatural 

      force?

2. We began by reviewing "The Biblical Case For Creation"...
   a. Which states that matter is not eternal, but created by a 

      Supreme Being
   b. E.g., "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" - Gen 1:1

3. Many, of course, are not content with simply accepting the Biblical claim...
   a. Wanting more reasons to believe in God and creation
   b. Leading some to consider philosophical reasons for their faith

["The Philosophical Case For Creation" presents several reasons to
believe in God and creation as the explanation for the origin of life.
Let's briefly review five, beginning with...]

I. THE UNIVERSAL SENSE OF OUGHT

   A. EXPLANATION...
      1. Everywhere people have a sense of "ought", a moral code of some sort
         a. That in certain circumstances, certain things should be done
            - cf. Ro 2:14-15
         b. Even among the most remote tribes cut off from civilization
      2. Even atheists and agnostics have a sense of justice
         a. Who are angered when it is violated
         b. As in cases of rape and murder
      -- Also called the moral or anthropological argument

   B. IMPLICATION...
      1. This moral nature in man suggests a Moral Being as the Original
         Cause of life - Ps 89:14
      2. If there is no God, there is no right or wrong, good or evil
      3. If there is no God, no atheist can object on moral grounds to
         murder or rape
      -- Life from random chance does not explain the universal sense of ought

[A similar reason to believe in God and creation as the origin of life is...]

II. THE UNIVERSAL RELIGIOUS INSTINCT

   A. EXPLANATION...
      1. "Men in all the world, and throughout all time, not only
         believe in deity, but also engage in acts of worship and
         devotion." - Ferrell Jenkins, Introduction To Christian Evidences
      2. "The religious principle is extremely potent in all nations,
         dominating their thought and history." - ibid.
      3. "Everywhere the human heart has a craving for God. There will
         be exceptions as individuals, but the exceptions do not
         invalidate the rule. The atheist is an exception in every society!" - ibid.
      -- Also called the general argument

   B. IMPLICATION...
      1. For every deep longing of man, there is something that
         satisfies it (e.g., hunger-food)
      2. There must be a reality (i.e., God) that complements our
         universal religious craving
      3. Solomon writes of God placing eternity in the hearts of man
         - Ecc 3:11
      4. Paul says a longing for God was placed in man by God Himself
         - Ac 17:26-27
      5. Only the fool and the wicked repress their religious instincts
         - Ps 14:1; 10:4; Ro 1:18,28
      -- Life from random chance does not explain the universal religious instinct

[Another reason to believe in God and creation as the origin of life is...]

III. THE PRESENCE OF BEAUTY AND SUBLIMITY

   A. EXPLANATION...
      1. This argument is based upon the presence of beauty and
         sublimity in the universe
      2. It observes that we have both...
         a. The presence of beauty in nature itself, and in art produced by man
         b. The response of man to such beauty (appreciation and awe)
      -- Also called the aesthetic argument

   B. IMPLICATION...
      1. How did this "beauty" and the "ability to appreciate" develop?
      2. Was it the result of blind chance, or did it come ?
      3. Or did it come from a Supreme Being, who Himself is artistic,
         with an appreciation for beauty? - cf. Exo 28:2; Job 40:9-10;
         Ps 19:1-2; 96:4-6
      -- Life from random chance does not explain the presence of beauty and sublimity

[Then there are two philosophical arguments that are strongly supported
by science. The first being...]

IV. EVERY EFFECT MUST HAVE A CAUSE

   A. EXPLANATION...
      1. One form of this argument has three simple steps:
         a. Whatever begins to exist must have a cause
         b. The universe began to exist
         c. Therefore the universe has a cause
      2. This argument is known as the Kalam Cosmological Argument
         a. Formulated in its present form by al-Ghazali
         b. A Muslim who lived from 1058 to 1111
      -- This argument is generally known as the cosmological argument

   B. IMPLICATION...
      1. Many scientists today believe the First Cause is the "Big Bang"
         a. Because of the evidence from astronomy
         b. But the Big Bang is itself an effect
         c. What caused the Big Bang?
      2. The Bible reveals an adequate cause:  "In the beginning God..."- Gen 1:1
         a. A common objection:  "Who caused God?"
            1) This objection fails to carefully note the first premise
               of the argument
            2) I.e., "whatever begins to exist must have a cause"
         b. By definition God is eternal
            1) He is an eternal being, possessing eternal power - Ps 90:2; cf. Ro 1:20
            2) He is a spiritual being - Jn 4:24
            3) His omnipresence illustrates how He defies laws of nature - Jer 23:23-24
         c. So the argument does not apply to Him - He is the Uncaused
            Cause of all things!
      -- God is the ultimate First Cause (not an effect that requires a
         cause)

[Finally, discoveries in molecular biology and other scientific fields strongly support...]

IV. THE EVIDENCE OF INTELLIGENT DESIGN

   A. EXPLANATION...
      1. Whatever is designed must have a Designer
         a. A watch shows design, and implies a watchmaker
         b. To credit such intricate and precise workmanship to blind
            chance is unreasonable
      2. Many things in the natural world show evidence of design
         a. Orderly movement of heavenly bodies, making space travel possible
         b. Animal instinct, such as the migration patterns of birds,
            eels, and salmon
         c. Biological machines in simplest of cells
      3. Therefore a designer exists
      -- Also called the teleological argument

   B. IMPLICATION...
      1. Intelligent design suggests a Being with intelligence possessing purpose
      2. To credit intricate and precise design to blind chance is unreasonable
      3. Contemplating on the universe and the human body rightfully
         produces awe, and points man to his Creator - cf. Ps 19:1-2;139:14; Ro 1:19-20
      -- Life from random chance does not explain the evident intelligent design

CONCLUSION

1. What reasons are there to believe that life originates from an
   Almighty Creator...?
   a. The universal sense of ought
   b. The universal religious instinct
   c. The presence of beauty and sublimity
   d. The argument from first cause
   e. The evidence of intelligent design

2. These are mostly philosophical arguments...
   a. Especially the first three
   b. But the last two depend heavily on scientific evidence

Most people today are probably persuaded by science rather than
philosophy, so in our next study we will focus more on...

                   "The Scientific Case For Creation"

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

The Real Mary Magdalene by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=10&article=1803

The Real Mary Magdalene

by	Eric Lyons, M.Min.

The name “Mary” appears 54 times in the New Testament. There is Mary, the mother of Jesus (Matthew 1:18), Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:2), and Mary, the mother of James and Joses (Mark 15:40), who is likely the same as the “other” Mary (Matthew 27:56,61; 28:1) and “the wife of Clopas” (John 19:25). Also mentioned are Mary of Bethany (John 11:1), Mary, the mother of Mark (Acts 12:12), and Mary of Rome (Romans 16:6). Obviously, Mary (Greek Maria or Mariam) was a popular name in New Testament times. It still is today (see “The Most Popular...,” 2006).

No Mary has been more popular in recent days, however, than Mary Magdalene. A plethora of new books feature her, including Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, which is based on the false notion that she gave birth to the heir of Christ, whose descendants supposedly survive to this day. Mary Magdalene, a name likely indicating affiliation with the Galilean city of Magdala (see “Mary,” 1986), has been the focus of talk shows, movies, books, magazines, and more. Sadly, modernists have greatly misunderstood, exaggerated, and distorted her role in the life of Jesus and the early church. The prevailing idea is that Mary Magdalene has finally been released from the male-dominated, “anti-sexual” religious world (see Carroll, 2006, 37[3]:119), and that the real Mary has finally been revealed. Is this true? Was Mary Magdalene Christ’s secret lover? Did she erotically wash His feet with her hair? Did she eventually become His wife and bear His child? Was she a former prostitute? Just who was Mary Magdalene, really?

Those who have heard only of the newly made-over Mary Magdalene might be disappointed to find that the real Mary of Magdala does not fit the modern-day, dramatized version. Mary Magdalene is mentioned a total of 12 times in the New Testament—the oldest historical record mentioning her name. All 12 occurrences appear in the gospel accounts, wherein we learn the following:

• Jesus cast seven demons out of her (Luke 8:2; Mark 16:9).
• She was one of many who provided for Jesus out of her own means (Luke 8:1-3).
• She witnessed the crucifixion of Christ (Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40; John 19:25).
• She was present at His burial (Matthew 27:61; Mark 15:47).
• She arrived at Jesus’ tomb on the Sunday following His crucifixion to find His body missing (Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-7; John 20:1).
• She saw the risen Lord, spoke with Him, and later reported the encounter to the apostles (Matthew 28:9-10; Mark 16:9-11; John 20:11-18).

Where are the passages about her physical relationship with Christ? Where are the hints of erotic behavior? Where is the sexualized version of Mary Magdalene? In truth, the new version of Mary Magdalene is a figment of someone’s imagination.

First, the notion of Mary Magdalene being a former prostitute, apparently made popular as early as the sixth century by Pope Gregory I (see Van Biema, 2003), simply is unfounded. Luke did record an occasion during Jesus’ ministry when a woman “who was a sinner” (Luke 7:37, emp. added) and of poor reputation among the Pharisees (7:39) washed His feet with her tears and hair, and anointed them with oil (7:36-50). And, Luke did place this event in his gospel account just two verses before he introduces Mary Magdalene, “out of whom had come seven demons” (Luke 8:2). But Luke never specifically stated that the woman of disrepute was a prostitute, or that her name was Mary Magdalene. Other than the juxtaposition of the “sinner” at the close of Luke 7 and Mary at the commencement of Luke 8, no connection between the two women exists. What’s more, if one argues that the proximity of the two women is what links them together, one wonders why “Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others” (Luke 8:3) could not also be considered candidates, since they are mentioned along with Mary Magdalene.

Second, Scripture never hints that Mary Magdalene and Jesus were married or romantically involved in any way. Did He exercise His power over demons by casting seven of them from her? Yes (Luke 8:2; Mark 16:9). Did she (along with “many others”) financially support His ministry? Yes (Luke 8:2-3). Did she cling to Him momentarily following His resurrection? Yes (John 20:17). Was she a dedicated follower of Christ? From all that we can gather in the New Testament, we must assume that she was. Still, nothing in the Bible suggests that she was Jesus’ wife or secret lover.

Even the so-called Gospel of Mary (Magdalene), which unbelievers freely admit was not written until the second century A.D. (cf. Cockburn, 2006, 209[5]:88-89), says nothing about a sexual relationship with Christ. This non-inspired text does contend that Peter told Mary, “Sister, we know the savior loved you more than any other woman” (Meyer, 2005a, p. 38). Furthermore, in this text Levi described Jesus as loving Mary “more than us” (p. 41). Still, however, nothing sexual is mentioned. The New Testament records how Jesus “loved” Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (John 11:5); the Jews even marveled at His love for Lazarus (John 11:36). Mark wrote of how He “loved” the rich young ruler (Mark 10:21). And John repeatedly testified of one particular unnamed disciple whom “Jesus loved” (John 13:23; 20:2; 21:7; 21:20). [NOTE: Proof that this beloved disciple was not Mary Magdalene is found in John 20:2 where she spoke to Peter and the disciple “whom Jesus loved” (John 20:2).] When we read the uninspired statements from The Gospel of Mary in light of the fact that the New Testament specifically states that Jesus loved certain individuals, one can see more clearly the lack of sexual overtones.

Anyone who has read Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code is aware that his entire novel revolves around the alleged historical fact that Jesus and Mary Magdalene married and had a child together (2003, pp. 244-245). Brown bases his claim on the following brief statements from the non-inspired, gnosticGospel of Philip, which apparently was penned during the second or third century (cf. Meyer, 2005b, p. 63; Isenberg, n.d.). [NOTE: Brackets indicate missing words.]

Three women always walked with the master: Mary his mother, [] sister, and Mary of Magdala, who is called his companion. For “Mary” is the name of his sister, his mother and his companion (Meyer, 2005b, p. 57).

The companion of the [] is Mary of Magdala. The [] her more than [] the disciples, [] kissed her often on her []. The other []...said to him, “Why do you love her more than all of us?” (Meyer, 2005b, p. 63).

Brown alleges that “any Aramaic scholar will tell you, the word companion, in those days, literally meant spouse” (p. 246, emp. added). Thus, Mary Magdalene and Jesus must have been married, right? Wrong! The Gospel of Philip was not even written in Aramaic, but in Coptic, an ancient Egyptian language. What’s more, the Coptic word for “companion” is synonymous with neither “wife” nor “spouse.” Ben Witherington III, writing in Biblical Archaeological Review, addressed this very point:

The word here for companion (koinonos) is actually a loan word from Greek and is neither a technical term nor a synonym for wife or spouse. It is true the term could be used to refer to a wife, since koinonos, like “companion,” is an umbrella term, but it does not specify this fact. There was another Greek word, gune, which would have made this clear. It is much more likely that koinonos here means “sister” in the spiritual sense since that is how it is used elsewhere in this sort of literature. In any case, this text does not clearly say or even suggest that Jesus was married, much less married to Mary Magdalene (2004, 30[3]:60).

How sad to think that millions of people have been deceived about the relationship between Mary Magdalene and Jesus because The Da Vinci Code’s fiction is consumed as historical fact.

One might assume that The Gospel of Philip hints at a sexual relationship between Mary and Jesus, since Brown alleges that it states Jesus “used to kiss her often on her mouth” (p. 248, emp. added). The word “mouth,” however, is not in the text. Several words are missing from the Coptic manuscript, including those that would designate where He allegedly kissed her. Perhaps the missing word is hand, head, cheek, or nose. When the woman of Luke 7 kissed Jesus’ feet, He responded by telling Simon, “You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in” (7:45). Jesus’ statement implied that even though the woman wept at His feet, washed them with her hair, anointed them with fragrant oil, and kissed them repeatedly (7:36-39), she did not act erotically. On the contrary, she honored Jesus with humble service and adoration, unlike Simon and the others.

Finally, if Jesus did kiss Mary Magdalene, as The Gospel of Philip alleges, it hardly would justify a case for marriage. This so-called “gospel” mentions elsewhere that the followers of Christ “also kiss each other” (Meyer, 2005b, p. 57). And, according to Scripture, Christians were in the habit of greeting “one another with a holy kiss” since the church began (Romans 16:16, emp. added; cf. 1 Corinthians 16:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; see Miller, 2003). In short, kissing is not equivalent to marrying and having children.

Mary Magdalene apparently was a devout, faithful follower of Christ. Not a shred of solid biblical or extrabiblical evidence suggests she played the role of harlot, wife, mother, or secret lover. The New Testament, as the oldest, most reliable (and only inspired!) witness to her identity, testifies loudly and clearly about her genuine faithfulness to the Lord, and keeps silent about those things which twenty-first-century sensationalists allege. As in so many instances, we must learn to respect the Bible’s silence! And, there is a deafening silence concerning Mary Magdalene as our Lord’s wife or the mother of His child.

REFERENCES

Brown, Dan (2003), The Da Vinci Code (New York, NY: Doubleday).

Carroll, James (2006), “Who Was Mary Magdalene?,” Smithsonian, 37[3]:108-119, June.

Cockburn, Andrew (2006), “The Gospel of Judas,” National Geographic, 209[5]:78-95, May.

Isenberg, Wesley W. (no date), The Gospel of Philip, [On-line], URL: http://www.theologywebsite.com/etext/naghammadi/philip.shtml.

“Mary” (1986), Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Electronic Database: Biblesoft).

Meyer, Marvin, ed. (2005a), The Gospel of Mary, in The Gnostic Gospels of Jesus (San Francisco, CA: HarperSanFrancisco).

Meyer, Marvin, ed. (2005b), The Gospel of Philip, in The Gnostic Gospels of Jesus (San Francisco, CA: HarperSanFrancisco).

Miller, Dave (2003), “Veils, Footwashing, and the Holy Kiss,” [On-line], URL:http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2322.

“The Most Popular Names Chosen for Baby Boys and Girls over the Past 120 Years” (2006), [On-line], URL: http://www.thenewparentsguide.com/most-popular-baby-names.htm.

Van Biema, David (2003), “Mary Magdalene: Saint or Sinner,” Time, 162[6]: August 11, [On-line],URL: http://www.danbrown.com/media/morenews/time.html.

Witherington, Ben (2004), “Reviews,” Biblical Archaeology Review, 30[3]:58-61, May/June.

From Jim McGuiggan... BILL WAUGH DIED ON JANUARY 20TH, 2015

BILL WAUGH DIED ON JANUARY 20TH, 2015

Many years ago I arrived in Dallas and a courteous gentleman and friend of Bill's picked me up to take me to the Waugh's home. This would be my first visit and I was nervous--I had no reason to be but that's how I'm built--so I asked the man about Bill. All he had to say was good but he focused on one thing in particular--Bill Waugh's generosity and in particular his generosity with regard to enterprises that helped the needy.

My driver was an accountant as well as a devoted friend of Bill's. He spoke of someone else he did work for--someone I came to know and admire very much but I won't name him here. He said as he went through the canceled checks of the two men he was astonished at their generosity. Check after check after check was made out to someone or some enterprise they thought worthy and the kind of things they thought worthy were worthy because they helped people and helped people who helped people and they did it because their Lord, Jesus Christ, thought such things worthy. My driver said, "Bill is very wealthy but nobody knows just how generous he is; nobody will know just how much of that wealth is shared with a host and an ever-growing host of lovely endeavors."

I came to know of that generosity up close and peronal when he [with others I won't name] took care of my wee Ethel at a time when she critically needed it. Then followed many years of kindness and generosity, years of encouragement and making me feel useful to God and his purposes..

I didn't know he had died.

I read through the obituaries today and realized that though I knew him I didn't know him very well in many areas. He was more accomplished than I had known he was. I knew he was gifted as an artist and as someone of great imagination and brilliance in creating business enterprises that not only made money but generated employment for so many people and places where the clients and customers were given what Bill Waugh always insisted they should, courteous treatment and the best that could be made available. I heard him on scores of occasions speak of that to those who committed to his vision of excellence in business and relationships. God's gifts in him and his use of them went way beyond the level I had known.

Beyond all these things the one thing that comes to my mind, when he comes to my mind, is his intensity. Maybe I know half a dozen people who strike me that way--intense, I mean--but I don't think I know anyone more intense than Bill Waugh. I may have imagined it, though I doubt it, but I thought I could see it in the way he walked, the way he looked, the way he talked [even when he spoke quietly and he spoke quietly most of the time--at least I thought so, but then again I don't hear too well] and in the way he focused on what was important to him.

God was important to him! He arranged so many gatherings in his home where he had friends and their friends to listen to someone speak about God, his character and purpose. I think he took a very great joy in doing that. I think he thought he was giving us all the chance to re-vision God as we have come to know him in Jesus Christ and it thrilled him.

I'm telling the truth when I tell you that he called me at home in Northern Ireland--dozens of times--just to talk about God and life and people. He loved God, though he [I think] always felt he didn't serve Him well. He wept more than once when we talked about that. My guess is that he felt he should have been as intense in his feeling about the person of God as he did about making the world a better place in his particular area of life. I'm sure he was wrong here, for doing good things in the name of Christ to and for others is to do it to and for Christ. Bill knew the texts, of course, but maybe, like so many of us, he found them a bit difficult to believe and didn't give himself the credit for a deep personal love of the Lord Jesus which he most certainly had.

My experience with him leads me to say that he hungered intensely to please God and gain [not earn] his approval. He used the God-given rich gifts in life and the business world with an intensity I never have had the occasion to witness elsewhere, but he sought God with a greater intensity than that. He sought--of this I'm fully persuaded--what so many of us seek, God's fatherly hand placed on his bowed head, gently pushing it back until their eyes meet and he heard a peace-bringing welcome from the Holy Father to a child of His and a, "Well done, good and faithful servant." It might well have been, and I tend to think to think it was, a surprised Bill who wanted to know, "When did I do all this for you, Lord?" And to him the Lord would say, "You did it to me when you did it to the least of my brothers and sisters, when you did it for the needy everywhere." [Matthew 25].

And Bill Waugh must have heard: "Enter into the joy of your Lord." 

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, theabidingword.com