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Given the explosive popularity of Dan Brown's ``The Da Vinci Code,'' it should be no surprise that publishers now are turning out books on Mary Magdalene.
Nor should it be surprising that this fascinating biblical character bears little resemblance to the provocatively imaginary woman Brown dreamed up as part of his jaundiced tale, which, not surprisingly, seemed to have a special appeal to theological and historical illiterates.
Among the new Magdalene books:
-``The Passion of Mary Magdalen,'' by Elizabeth Cunningham. This novel gives readers what Brown's does not - freedom from a false claim that all the historical elements in the book are factual. So the story can be taken as, well, story, featuring a strong-willed woman.
Thus, when she and Jesus make love, some may think it sacrilegious in the way they thought ``The Last Temptation of Christ'' was sacrilegious, but it's all fiction. And yet there is engaging language, too, such as her intriguing description of Jesus as "a man who broke Sabbath rules like fingernails."
-``Searching for Mary Magdalene,'' by Jane Lahr. Drawing on the Bible as well as non-canonical writings, art and other resources, Lahr (yes, she's the daughter of Bert Lahr, the cowardly lion in "The Wizard of Oz") has produced a lavishly illustrated coffee table book that almost certainly won't just sit unread. The book is worth looking at just for the varied artistic renditions of Mary.
-``Peter, Paul & Mary Magdalene,'' by Bart D. Ehrman. The author, a University of North Carolina professor, is no apologist for Christianity. So expect an academic - not a faith-based - approach. He does, however, say that none of the current "exaggerated claims" about Mary - that she was Jesus' closest disciple, his most intimate companion, his wife, the mother of his children - holds up to historical scrutiny.
-``The Complete Idiot's Guide to Mary Magdalene,'' by Lesa Bellevie. I wish this "Idiot's" series had a more refined name, because many of the books are well done, including this one, in which the author also takes a swipe or two and Dan Brown's inaccurate historical statements.
-The Way,'' by Josemaria Escriva. Speaking ofThe Da Vinci Code,'' Doubleday has republished this work by the founder of Opus Dei, the Catholic organization Dan Brown skewers. Reading Escriva's words may give you a better sense of what he had in mind for Opus Dei.
Now some books on other subjects:
-``Secrets in the Dark: A Life in Sermons,'' by Frederick Buechner. One of the most insightful spiritual writers of our age has collected his best sermons in this volume - a must for Buechner's many fans.
-``Leaving Church,'' by Barbara Brown Taylor. A wonderfully gifted Christian writer and speaker, Taylor writes about her decision to resign from the parish ministry so she could figure out what God really wanted her to do. She calls it "a love story."
-``No Small Miracles,'' by Norris Burkes. The author is a pediatric chaplain as well as a military chaplain who also writes a syndicated column about his experiences doing that fascinating work. (I met Burkes through the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, which has honored his work.) This book is a fine collection of some of his columns.
-``The Hidden Beauty of Everyday Life,'' by Kent Nerburn. Gentle words from a gentle soul. The theological equivalent of a smooth after-dinner drink.
-``The Face Behind the Veil,'' by Donna Gehrke-White. This account of the lives of Muslim women in America by a Miami Herald journalist adds depth and insight to a widely misunderstood picture.
-``Finding Your Greater Yes!,'' by Dan Erickson. The pastor of the Lee's Summit, Mo., Community Church has written a book for Christians whose spiritual engines are in idle.
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ABOUT THE WRITER
Bill Tammeus is a columnist for The Kansas City Star. Readers may write to him at: The Kansas City Star, 1729 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. 64108-1413, or e-mail him at tammeus@kcstar.com.
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