MARY Glimpses of the Mother of Jesus (Personality of the New Testament) (Personalities of the New Testament) [Paperback]

Beverly Roberts Gaventa (Author)

Book Description

Series: Personalities of the New Testament | Publication Date: January 26, 1999

In this lucid account of Jesus' mother, Gaventa emphasizes literary analysis, addressing in turn: Matthew, Luke-Acts, John, and the second-century work Protoevangelium of James. Gaventa provides the scholar with much to ponder, but in a style accessible to students and the general reader.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Author Beverly Roberts Gaventa tells us there are 85,000 books and pamphlets on Mary in the Marian Library at the University of Dayton. Why one more? A number of things make this slim yet delightful book distinctive. First, the author is both a woman and Protestant (Gaventa is the Helen H.P. Manson Professor of New Testament Literature and Exegesis at Princeton Theological Seminary and the author of numerous New Testament studies). Second, she approaches the study of Mary not from an historical point of view (searching for the facts about Mary), nor from a theological point of view, but from a literary one. As she summarizes this approach, "the primary questions to be addressed here have to do with the ways in which early Christian writers portray Mary as a character and the role or roles she plays in their re-presentations of the Jesus story." In separate chapters she explores three of the Gospels (and the Book of Acts) along with the second-century work Protoevangelium of James, concluding that what unites these various so-called glimpses of Mary is the way in which she "participates in the larger theme of the scandal of the gospel." In particular, she identifies three motifs: the vulnerability of Mary, her reflection on events (especially in Luke's Gospel), and Mary as a witness of Jesus. In this way, she concludes, "Mary remains a model for all Christians." --Doug Thorpe

From the Back Cover

"She identifies three motifs in the representations of Mary in these narratives as particularly important for our own time: the vulnerability of Mary. Mary as one who reflects on events and Mary among the witnesses of Jesus. These, she concludes, illustrate the truth that 'Mary remains a model for all Christians.' . . . This is a well-known, pleasing study which will be useful for biblical scholars, who will be quick to recommend it to nonspecialist." ---Michael Cahill Duquesne University

"Preachers and teachers will profit from Gaventa's association of Mary with discipleship." ---Robert L. Brawley McCormick Theological Seminary

" . . . offers important insights for further ecumenical discussions." ---Raymond E. Brown Union Theological Seminary

"As a Protestant reading, it is fresh and distinctive . . . The inclusion of the extra-canonical Protevangelium of James is illuminating, since it shows how the growing legend of Mary emerges . . . ." ---Adela Yarbro Collins University of Chicago Divinity School

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Fortress Press (January 26, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800631668
• ISBN-13: 978-0800631666
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #108,378 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.