Here’s something that never stood out to me—until it suddenly became obvious while reading our April book: Scripture tells us much more about Mary Magdalene than most of the twelve disciples. (All four Gospels mention her by name multiple times, which is striking on its own—but even more so given the culture at the time.)
Here’s another: Over and over, Scripture clearly shows several important overlaps and differences between Mary and… Peter!
One more: To this day, if you mention “Mary from the Bible” in southern France, nearly everyone will immediately assume you’re talking about Mary Magdalene, not Mary of Nazareth, because she is remembered as the first evangelist of France.
If you’ve been here for a minute, you know I’m already tender toward Mary. I’ve written about her several times since 2019 or so, including a piece published in Take Heart. (You can read it here.) My in-person people can attest that the words printed in ink are very much true: I really do cry if we happen to read John 20 in Bible Study—yes, of course, I know what’s coming. But no, somehow, I can’t seem to help the tears. Everything changed at the sound of her name. Of all the things, right?! Instead of explaining how the prophecies had been fulfilled or even saying “peace, be still” as He later would for the disciples, Jesus spoke her name and instantly, she knew.
But after reading The Mary We Forgot last year, after learning even more, after diving deeper into the history and into the verses carefully laid out within the pages?
Well.
I have Some Thoughts and Some Feelings and my word, I am so looking forward to meeting her one day.
This is a terrible transition, but I’m too excited to sit here pondering a better one when I just want to jump ahead and tell you: I’m so glad you and I get to meet with church historian and theologian Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt, the author of The Mary We Forgot, to talk through her debut book!
I included it in Thursday Things #122, listed it in my 5-Star Reads from 2024 round-up, mentioned it on Instagram Stories, and have talked about it with in-person friends no less than 30 times.
When I sat down to consider different books for April, especially with our Zoom Author Chat falling during Easter week, The Mary We Forgot very quickly seemed like the exact right choice. It’s well-researched, approachable, thought-provoking, encouraging and care-fully written. (Y’all, I have 36 highlights in my copy, many of them covering entire paragraphs.) I think we’ll have such a good discussion, and if you’re (re-)watching The Chosen leading up to Holy Week, there will be another layer added in. ;)
If you’re already part of All The Things, you’ll automatically receive the Zoom link for our April Author Call (keep reading below for more on the book, quick links for reference, and suggested reading schedule).
If you’d like to join in, even just for one month so you’re there live on Zoom, I’d love to see you there! You can click below for more info (you’ll also receive everything else included in All The Things).
Our April Book: The Mary We Forgot by Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt
📒 Book description:
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 church 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.
McNutt also invites readers along on her journey through southern France, tracing the path remembered by some church traditions as where Mary Magdalene spread the gospel. Christians will learn from the disciple known as the “apostle to the apostles” how to embrace Jesus’s calling to “go and tell” with faith and courage. They’ll also be encouraged by the reminder that God calls ordinary, imperfect, and unexpected people to share the good news of Jesus Christ. The hope of remembering Mary Magdalene is ultimately to better know the one to whom she pointed, the risen Christ.
📚 Book links:
Here are several quick links for ordering, but don’t forget to check your library or local bookstore!
Amazon ebook (currently 35% off)
Bookshop.org (affiliate link)
ChristianBook (currently 24% off)
📖 Suggested reading schedule:
I know a few of y’all prefer to read the entire book the week of the Zoom call, while others space it out, reading a chapter or two each week leading up to the call. For those who will pick up the book right away and dive in quickly once it arrives, I’m including a suggested reading schedule that covers both March and April.
As always, read/listen as it works best for you!
Our Author Chat with Dr. McNutt will be the week of April 20th, right after Easter.
March 23-March 29: Foreword-Chapter 1
March 30-April 5: Chapter 2-Chapter 3
April 6-12: Chapter 4-Chapter 6
April 13-19: Chapter 7-Epilogue
Week of April 20: Author Chat (I’ll send the date, link, and password your way in April, and will also post on the private All The Things Instagram account so you have the info.)