Customer Reviews

Hail, Holy Queen: The Mother of God In the Word of God

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For anyone who needs to see it in the Bible to believe it, this book explains the biblical basis of Catholic beliefs about Mary. Written by a former Presbyterian minister, now Catholic; it is THOROUGHLY biblical, also easy to read, written in simple laymen's language. It is amazingly insightful and interesting, and is an indispensable tool to broaden any Christian's -Catholic or Protestant- understanding and appreciation of Mary. A must read!

Dr. Scott W. Hahn writes like he speaks. He uses wit and an engaging style to drive home essential teachings of the Christian faith. His ability to hold and enlighten an audience is similar to that of the late Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen of a generation or two ago. Likewise blessed with a strong intellect and good judgment in his use of entertainment, Scott Hahn is living proof that dogma need not be presented as dull or overbearing.

Hahn's "Hail, Holy Queen" is an important and lively book. It is important because it presents the ancient and once-universally-accepted Christian teachings on the person and role of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In AD 431, at the Council of Ephesus (the third of the generally accepted early ecumenical councils; the seventh was in AD 787), Mary was acknowledged by the proper title "Theotokos" or "Mother of God" (literally: "birth-giver of God"). Christian theology was still very much in flux and the bishops at Ephesus saw in this affirmation an important piece of the puzzle of how Jesus' divine nature integrated fully with the human in the one divine Second Person of the Holy Trinity. In his book, Hahn teleports the reader back to the fifth century, to a time of rejoicing over this breakthrough insight into the mystery of Christ's Incarnation.

Hahn delivers this and much more in "Hail, Holy Queen." God is not a slave driver but wants us to be in His family, as brothers and sisters "from the same womb" (cf. Greek "adelphos"), through a covenant of persons. Mary has a motherly role in this family, a role that is relationally derived from being the mother of Jesus Christ. She is of course a creature, but a most excellent one at that. Hahn makes all of this very clear -- and very encouraging for the reader who is willing to accept it!

And Hahn's effort is lively, because he does it with panache. Not in the least deadly dull, Hahn mixes in a dash of humor here and there to make his points. I especially enjoyed his chapter and section headings: "Cutting the Unbiblical Cord," "Maternity Warred," "Venerators of the Lost Ark," etc. I thought the Hahn couple's book "Rome Sweet Home" was really good, because I can empathize with it, but this one is even better. As they say in some circles, "It doesn't get any better than this!" Keep up the great work, Scott! Rev. Dennis J. Mercieri

For any Christian trying to understand the importance of Mary in their devotion to Jesus, this is an excellent study. Not only does this book explain what Catholics mean by honoring (not worshipping) Mary, it also explains why it should fit into the lives of all Christians as an ecumenical factor.
This book will answer many bilblical questions about Mary.
Hahn has put an excellent theological study at the fingertips of every common person. It is easy to read and understand.

Based on Hahn's wonderful book, A Father Who Keeps His Promises, we decided to study another in our mothers' ministry group. There are several sites available with discussion questions for Hail, Holy Queen also. We weren't disappointed - this is a great book too! I would recommend this for mothers' ministries, study groups, and just as a personal reading book to anyone, not just Catholics. Hahn has a way of relating to his audience and opening up areas for a fresh view. Thanks to his books, I have a better understanding of God's word and a deeper faith as a Catholic.

If I remember correctly from Rome Sweet Home, Scott Hahn has a Masters in Theology from a Protestant college and then eventually converted to Catholicism. One of the questions I have from a Protestant perspective is the Mariology of the Catholic Church, sure I'll admit that often Protestants don't give her the respect she deserves, but at the same time I don't understand all of the attention Catholics give her, so to help with my questions I went to this book. For a book written by someone who used to preach about the problems with the Catholic Church and has a masters degree, I figured I would find some sound arguments to the questions I had, sadly I was mistaken.

My biggest disappointment from Mr. Hahn's book is that he writes it only as a devotional with straw man arguments. Someone who comes from the protestant side and is seriously trying to understand the mariology would quickly see through his arguments (or with a little bit of research). From a book by someone like Hahn who himself had to struggle with the doctrines of Mary, I expected something more. If you're looking for a Mary devotion this book is okay, but its terrible for protestant apologetics.

For example one issue I had was on page 66 he mentions the greek word "adelphos" and says this
"literally means `from the same womb'. From John and Irenaeus through Ephrem and Agustine, the early Christians believed that womb belonged to Mary."

He goes on to say that this means all Christians are from the same womb as Mary therefore she is the Mother of the Christians and the Church. Okay, but later when discussing the perpetual virginity of Mary he says that the "brothers" of Christ could mean cousins or close relative and therefore not technically as literal from the same womb (according to him the Hebrew didn't have a word for cousins". The problem I have with this is that with a quick look in a Strongs the word translated brothers in those passages is the same "adelphos" mentioned above, so literally this should mean from the same womb, or does it mean cousins, does it change based on the point you're trying to prove? He conveniently leaves the greek word out in this instance. Okay so the word can mean either then it's possible that the brotherhood of Christ means we are close relatives or cousins or possibly that the brothers of Christ are from the same womb.

He conveniently forgets to mention that there actually IS a greek word for cousin 'syngenes' and its used in Luke 1:36 in relation to Mary and Elizabeth, so to use his example that Hebrew doesn't have a word for cousin(p 104) completely ignores the fact that Mark was written in Greek and he could have used the word for cousin or close relative if he meant cousins. So you argue that well perhaps it was only Luke who knew the other greek word for cousin, then fine please explain Luke 8:19-21, why does he uses brothers there but cousins earlier?

Okay, maybe I'm being too picky, but from discussing Mary with a Catholic I know, I had as much information in 15 minutes than Hahn presented in 180 pages and the friend could discuss it better. Really I probably expected too much, the obvious audience of this book has to be Catholics who already accept Mary dogma and not so much as a defense to Protestant questioning the subject. To better understand this, I'll have to look elsewhere.


So here is my final question which I'm having so much trouble understand. Why? Why do these doctrines even matter? Why if I'm a catholic do I have to believe that Mary was ever virgin, sinless, a co-redeemer, that she gave him to the cross (even though Christ himself said that he alone freely gives himself), ect. In the ultimate purpose what purpose do these doctrines focusing on Mary serve? I was hoping that Scott Hahn's book would answer these questions yet I have the same ones.

Read this. I was almost 98% of the way to Rome, but I just couldn't wrap my head around "the Mary thing". This book explains it so clearly that my final objections were blown away. I'm RC now.

Scott Hahn is certainly the # 1 Theologian in Biblical Theology in USA. His education, his biblical and doctrinal foundations, the depth, richness and quality of his theological reflection touch its summit in this treatise on the Mother of Jesus. In my personal journey of Faith, the greatest reward from having learned the English language is the spiritual and intellectual delight I experience when I meditate on Scott Hahn writings. As a Christian, I see the conversion story of Scott Hahn as important and meaningful for our times and for the USA as it was the one of the apostle Paul in his historical context.

Answer to Joseph Arechiga

Poor Biblical Theology

"Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?" Matt. 13:55 (King James Version to reassure Protestants)

This Scriptural passage is taken by Protestants as a clear Scriptural evidence against the Perpetual Virginity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and as a proof against the truthfulness of the Magisterial and Traditional Teachings of the Catholic Church.
But it's precisely this Protestant understanding of Scriptures which self reveals the limited knowledge that Protestants have of the Bible and the weaknesses and inconsistencies of the Protestant Method.
That is why the best of Protestant Theologians, like Scott Hahn, convert to Catholicism.
The Protestant Method is "Sola Scriptura": by Scripture alone. Protestants make of Scriptures what Scriptures do not make of themselves. As a matter of fact, the Holy Scriptures themselves point to the Catholic Church as the source of truthful interpretation: 1 Timothy 3:15 "The Church is the Pillar and Foundation of the Truth." Scriptures don't say anywhere that they are the Pillar and Foundation of the Truth. That means that if you want to have truth from Scriptures you cannot separate them from the Catholic Church.

But for the sake of this argument and to prove how Protestants contradict themselves let us use the Principle "Sola Scriptura" and apply it to this Protestant argument:

Based on a Protestant reading of Matt. 13:55, Jesus had blood brothers.

Well, in light of a comparative study of the Scriptures themselves this assertion is completely false.

1) Thanks to the letter of the apostle Paul to the Galatians and to the Letter of the apostle Jude, we know that 2 out of 4 of these "so called brothers" are apostles: James and Judas Thaddeus (or Jude).

"But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother" (Galatians 1:19).
"Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James" (Jude 1:1).

2) Thanks to the lists of the names (and "last" names) of the apostles in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, we know with Scriptural certainty that there are no James son of "Joseph" or son of the "carpenter". James and Jude are sons of "Alpheus" and the other James is the son of "Zebedee".

SCRIPTURAL CONCLUSION: "James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas (Matt.13:55)" are not the children of Joseph the Carpenter. Consequently they are not the children of Mary. Period. Even a child can prove this point!!!

Matt 10:2, 4 "Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: the first Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, whose surname was Thaddeus (Judas Thaddeus);
Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him."

Luke 6:13, 16 "Simon (whom he also named Peter), and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon called Zelotes,
And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor."

Can you see why the most knowledgeable Protestants in the country are becoming Catholics?

Answer to John Fleming

John,
How much Greek do you think you know better than Doctor Scott Hahn who started as Protestant as you are but, probable, with a few more degrees than you in Biblical Theology? Deeply educated Protestants who tried to stop him from becoming Catholic turned to the Catholic Church even before he did. It's all a matter of truth and the Roman Catholic Church is the Pillar and Foundation of the truth, 1 Timothy 3, 15.
Yes, let's read Scripture in context. Go to Matthew 16, 13 and you will find that this "Assembly of believers" is built on Peter, the Rock, the first Pope and on His successors.
[Jesus]: "And I tell you, you are rock and on this rock I will build My Church and the gates of hell won't prevail". Jesus does not say "churches" (or assemblies)-. The Church is ONE or, if you prefer "the Assembly of Believers" is ONE and built on Peter who, as far as I know, went to preach to Rome, Italy, where he died - I don't think he started your assembly in the US (Forgive my passion).
I'm Italian, John, I belong to the Assembly, or Gathering of Believers (if you prefer) that the same apostle Peter started 2 thousand years ago right at the place where he died crucified upside down and leaving behind Him this Living Assembly that was trained by the same Apostle who Jesus pointed as Rock and Holder of the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt. 6, 19). This is "the Assembly" that will always prevail against hell until the second coming of Christ. You can find "my" Gathering of Believers right in the Bible, read the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans; "the Romans" is the Assembly of the apostles Peter and Paul. Well, I do belong to "the Assembly of the Romans" I'm not going to join your assembly or any assembly that was not started by one of the twelve apostles (I like purity of teaching). The apostles were sent by Christ and only the Popes and Catholic Bishops preserve this line of succession that grants the legitimate authority, power and teaching of Christ Himself. My Assembly gave you the Bible, John! Do you want to teach me about what we've being giving to the world for the last 2000 years? Is there in the Bible a letter directed by an apostle Himself to your assembly in the US?


August 15, 2011
Today is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Ark of the New Covenant in Heaven
Dear John,
In an effort to be both charitable and truthful with you, I didn't address in my previous answer your ugly blasphemy to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Being a Deacon ordained by a Successor of the Apostles like Deacon Steven and Philip in the Book of the Act of the Apostles, a Levite of the New Covenant, my duty is to defend the Ark of the New Covenant like the Levites defended the Ark of the Old Covenant. Now I speak to you through the power and authority I do have received by the imposition of hands the day of my ordination when I was conformed to Christ the Deacon.
John, believe in the Gospel of Luke 1, 35. Believe in the Heavenly Words of the Archangel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary:
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God"
This womb, holder of the Son of God for nine months, holder of Infinite Holiness, could it be the womb of a "DEAD SINNER JUST LIKE EVERYONE BEFORE AND AFTER HER? [I' m quoting you]"
She is not like me and you and like everybody else. Do you believe the Gospel? Do you believe the Gospel of Luke? Do you believe the great prophecy in Luke? Are you part of this Prophecy? If you don't actualize this Prophecy in your life you don't believe in the Gospel
GREAT PROPHECY IN LUKE 1, 48
MARY HERSELF PROPHESIZES: "ALL GENERATIONS SHALL CALL ME BLESSED"
John, how many times did you call Mary "BLESSED" in your whole life?
Do you think you can be a follower of the Gospel without observing it?
Do you think that the ONE that "all generations shall call blessed" is a sinner like me and you?
We, all generations of Catholics believers, do fulfill this prophecy of the Gospel!
You too are called to believe in the Gospel of Luke!

I have read many of Dr. Scott Hahn's books, and Hail, Holy Queen was the first I read, and remains my favorite (at least so far!) Dr. Hahn presents the information in a very readable and engaging style, as always. I would highly endorse this book for anybody who is interested in learning more about the Blessed Virgin Mary.

This is an exceptionally well written theological look at the many roles our Blessed Mother plays in our lives. Scott Hahn uses many stories from his our life to illustrate the great love Mary has for each of us, and the joy we have feel when we open our hearts to her love.
It certainly opened my eyes on so many different levels.

I think this would be a good book for someone new to reading about Mary, Our Holy Mother. It is an easy read and if you've been interested in finding out more about the truth of Mary, this will be a great introduction to get you started on your study. I also like how he explains the Rosary and how to pray it.