Blessed One: Protestant Perspectives on Mary

Book Overview

Despite her prominence in the Christian narrative, Mary has largely been neglected within the Protestant church. Recent interest in such issues as feminism, spirituality, parenting, and ecumenism, however, force a serious reexamination of Mary's place in Protestant faith. In Blessed One , widely respected Protestant scholars seek to answer three basic questions: who is Mary? how does Mary's story intersect with contemporary life? and what does Mary teach us about God? This thoughtful and highly accessible book will be of great interest to all engaged in the debates of the contemporary church, Protestants and Roman Catholics alike. Contributors include Nancy Duff, Beverly Roberts Gaventa, Joel Green, E. Elizabeth Johnson, Cheryl Kirk-Duggan, Nora Lozano-Diaz, Daniel Migliore, Bonnie Miller-McLemore, Cynthia Rigby, and Katherine Sakenfeld.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0664224385
• ISBN13: 9780664224387
• Release Date: October 2002
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press
• Length: 168 Pages
• Weight: 0.63 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Protestant Cultural Revolution

I agree 100% with Nora O. Lozano-Díaz that all we belong to any culture even we Protestants. But I also do believe in Cultural Revolution and in this case not a communist one but a Christian one from a Protestant point of views or perspectives. We all Protestant must reject any cultural symbol that is against our faith and our dogmas or doctrines. So we must reject the Virgen of Guadalupe because is a symbol against our faith and tradition. I do believe in cultural revolution or cultural change and the Gospel can do it.

Something About Mary

Among the ironies of the ordination of women in mainline denominations is a renewed Protestant interest in the Catholic icon of femininity, the Blessed Virgin Mary. These essays by contemporary, mostly women theologians, examine the sparse but highly suggestive biblical references to Mary, and then interpret her importance in light of Reformed theology and their own experience. Almost to a person, the authors balk at the Catholic dogmas of the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption, but they also criticize the unofficial Protestant dogma of virtual silence about Mary. The result is a diverse yet coherent reappraisal that views Mary as the archetype of Christian discipleship. This not un-Catholic consensus may serve as the basis for further rapprochement between Protestants and Catholics regarding the humble but controversial mother of Jesus.

Reforming Our View of Mary

Blessed One: Protestant Perspectives on Mary is a thought-provoking and provocative look at a figure too often ignored by Protestants. This collection of essays, carefully edited by two top scholars in this country (one a professor of the author of this review), takes a second look at the mother of Jesus. Emphasized throughout is the scandal associated with Jesus' conception, Mary's pregnancy, and Jesus' birth and upbringing. True to the Gospels, Mary is presented here in both a positive and negative light. Mary's role as the model disciple is questioned, while recognizing and honoring her unique contribution to the history of salvation. A must-read for anyone who wants a better understanding of the role of Mary in Christianity from a Protestant perspective.