Mary Magdalene, author of the fourth gospel?

[Paul]

I recently came across this paper which argues that Mary Magdalene was the author of the fourth gospel (the one which is commonly called the gospel according to John) and that furthermore she is the beloved disciple mentioned in the fourth gospel:

http://www.beloveddisciple.org/

I don't agree with the author's understanding of inerrancy (I personally believe that everything asserted in scripture is inerrant) or his interpretation of Dei Verbum but I thought what he wrote was interesting.

I just thought I'd share the paper and see if anyone has any comments about it.

[apologetics]

Several brief observations since I have not read the article fully.

1. The second sentence is quite telling....

"As far as I know -- no previously published work has made an argument in support of this hypothesis."

...but this guy has the answers? Uh-huh.....

2. Although it not surprising, based on the author's own assertion above, but the amount of cited source material is embarassing. In addition, the author completely failed to cite any material contradicting his hypothesis. This is also not surprising....seeing as though there is MUCH to contradict it.

3. For a much more reasoned, albeit not exhaustive handling of the issue, see J.P. Holding's (http://www.tektonics.org/tekton_02_02_02.html) article on the authorship of the gospels. Note his cited source material. That is how to properly cite a well-researched essay.

I'll read the article more fully and will get back here as soon as possible.

[Jaltus]

The problem is, of course, that other people have argued exactly that, but because there is no evidence for it and a lot of evidence against it, the scholarly community dismissed the idea after examing the evidence.

[Paul]

3. For a much more reasoned, albeit not exhaustive handling of the issue, see J.P. Holding's (http://www.tektonics.org/tekton_02_02_02.html) article on the authorship of the gospels. Note his cited source material. That is how to properly cite a well-researched essay.

I'll read the article more fully and will get back here as soon as possible.
Thanks. I look forward to reading what you have to say. :smile: