In Quest of the Jewish Mary
in this book, Mary Christine Athans draws on the latest historical research, the fruits of post-Vatican II Jewish-Christian dialogue, the insights of feminist theology, and contemporary spiritual reflection to rediscover the Jewish Mary—a woman of enormous courage, strength, and prayer.
Jesus, as is well known, was born and raised as a Jew in first-century Palestine. A great deal of theological study has focused on the Jewish cultural and religious context of his life and ministry. It is only natural that this attention should lead us to a new approach to his mother, Mary of Nazareth. To some extent, this quest for the Jewish Mary involves excavating beneath centuries of devotional reflection and artistic depictions that have presented a mythologized Mary, detached from history and from her specific Jewish identity.
Published by Orbis Books. Distributed by New City Press.
Reviews
"Biblically rich and deeply moving, this is a book of rare originality and creativity that will inspire faith and invigorate religious dialogue."
National Catholic Reporter, December 2013
"A key aim of post-Vatican II Jewish-Christian dialogue is to understand Judaism on its own terms and subsequently to plumb the wisdom of the Jewish tradition as a source for greater Christian self-understanding. A.'s work not only achieves this goal, but it is also ultimately an edifying spiritual reflection deeply informed by a life of research, teaching, and implementing ecumenical and interreligious dialogue. It is to be read, A. avers, 'with both the head and the heart'"
Theological Studies, March 2014
"Few works deliver on the promise of their title with such success as Mary Christine Athans’s book. . . . The scholarship is solid, the prose accessible and her personal reflections engaging. The book can also be provocative, since discussions of Mary lead to questions about the contested role of women in the church....”
Dr. Sidney Callahan, in America magazine.
About the Author
Mary Christine Athans, BVM, is a Sister of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, professor emerita at the Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity of the University of St. Thomas (Minnesota) and currently adjunct faculty at Loyola University Chicago and the Catholic Theological Union.
| Price | $19.00 |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Publication Date | Dec 31, 2012 |
| Author | Mary Christine Athans |
| Format | Paperback |
| Page Count | 160 |
