Synopses & Reviews
The idea that Jesus was married continues to fascinate. Look no further than Dan Browns
The Da Vinci Code for evidence. Or indeed Harvard Professor Karen Kings recent discovery of the so called Gospel of Jesus Wife a piece of ancient papyrus that made the explosive suggestion in 2012 that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were man and wife. But most who address the topic either dismiss the possibility or propound conspiracy theories, often of Christian origins.
Approaching the subject from a fresh, historical perspective and without appealing to sensationalist stories or dismissing Jesus sexuality on theological grounds, Le Donne places Jesus firmly within his sociocultural context. By investigating gender and marriage norms as well as a number of social outliers who defied them he provocatively argues that Jesus might have been married before he was thirty years of age. Le Donne then points to several indicators that suggest that Jesus was a sexual non-conformist and probably was single during his public career. It is a quest that illuminates the humanity of Jesus, while also revealing important connections between ancient sexuality and modern spirituality
Synopsis
The idea that Jesus was married continues to incite fierce debate. But most who address the topic either dismiss the possibility or propound conspiracy theories. Amid the storm of controversy, Le Donne provides a haven of clarity and sense. Approaching the subject from a fresh, historical perspective, Le Donne places Jesus firmly within a socio-cultural context and, by investigating gender and marriage norms, provocatively argues that Jesus could well have been married - although not to Mary Magdalene.
About the Author
Anthony Le Donne is a visiting lecturer at the University of the Pacific, California. His books include
The Historiographical Jesus: Memory, Typology, and the Son of David and
Historical Jesus: What Can We Know and How Can We Know It?