The Pistis Sophia

The Pistis Sophia, also known as the Books of the Savior, is a Gnostic text dating back to 250-300 CE. In this text, Jesus is believed to have remained on earth for eleven years after his resurrection, teaching alongside his disciples. Some of the disciples outlined in Pistis Sophia include Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of Jesus, and Martha.

The text also provides a list of 32 carnal desires to be overcome in order to achieve salvation, and describes important figures in the Gnostic cosmology.

Who is Sophia?

Sophia refers to the central female divinity of Gnosticism, which is often identified with the Holy Ghost itself. She is also referred to as the Universal Mother, the Mother of the Living, the Power on High, the Womb, and the Virgin. She also represents the feminine aspect of the divine as "the Wife of the Male" and "She-of-the-left-hand" to compliment the understanding that Christ is the masculine element on the hypothetical right.

Thus in Pistis Sophia, a male designation is revealed as the "Savior, begetter of all things" while the divine feminine aspect is designated the "All-begettress Sophia," also called "Pistis."

Mary Magdalene in the Pistis Sophia

Mary Magdalene retains her status as a preeminent disciple in the first four books of the Pistis Sophia. This is consistent with her representation in the Gospel of Mary, the Gospel of Thomas, and the Acts of Philip.

Mary is more vocal than the other disciples when asking the Savior to answer questions:

Your heart is directed to the Kingdom of Heaven more than all your brothers (26:17-20)

Mary Magdalene’s complete spiritual understanding is repeatedly confirmed in the Books of the Savior.