Mary of Nazareth: The Mother of Jesus as Remembered by the Earliest Christians

(Paperback)

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A theology of Mary's role in the incarnation as it was understood by the earliest Christians. A central figure in Christian tradition, Mary of Nazareth, the mother of Jesus, is both pivotal in theologies of the incarnation and a source of theological controversy. In this volume, bible scholar and priest Christopher Bryan examines the role of Mary in the theology of the first generations of Christians. Considering every reference to Mary in the New Testament in the order that the biblical texts were written, Mary of Nazareth situates biblical texts' treatment of Mary within first-century culture and examines changing theologies of Mary and the incarnation among the earliest generations of Christians. The book concludes with Bryan's reflections on Christian memories of Mary and their implications for some historical theological controversies. Ideal for Bible study or group discussion, Mary of Nazareth makes current biblical scholarship accessible and engaging. Study questions conclude each chapter, and further notes in the back of the book invite interested readers to dig deeper.

Reviews

"This book will be very useful to anyone interested either in the first century context of the Marian references in the New Testament, or in the history of their interpretation down to the present day." * Thomas Crean, O.P., Librarian, St Dominic's, London *
"Bryan winsomely combines deep scholarship, theological insight, profound piety, and accessible prose. This work is a moving meditation on Mary of Nazareth as she exists in the pages of the New Testament and the Christian imagination." * Robert MacSwain, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Theology, The School of Theology, The University of the South *
"Christopher Bryan's book on Mary is of a piece with his other works: historically critical, the result of wide scholarly research, and the work of a wise Anglican catholic spirit. It is written for a wide audience, far beyond the guild, and I for one am deeply glad to have been part of that world." * William S. Stafford, Ph.D., D.D., Emeritus Dean of The School of Theology, The University of the South *

Author Bio

Christopher Bryan is an Anglican priest, New Testament scholar, and novelist. Educated at Oxford and Exeter University, Bryan was ordained a priest in the Church of England and has also served in the Episcopal Church. Now retired, he has taught at Salisbury Theological College and the School of Theology at Sewanee: The University of the South, where he was the C. K. Benedict Professor of New Testament. Bryan is the author of Son of God: Reflections on a Tradition, Listening to the Bible: The Art of Faithful Biblical Interpretation, The Resurrection of the Messiah, Render to Caesar: Jesus, the Roman Superpower, and The Early Church, and God Spoke: The Authority of the Bible for the Church Today, as well as numerous novels. He lives in Exeter, England.