Mary Through the Centuries: Her Place in the History of Culture
by Jaroslav Pelikan
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Description
The Virgin Mary has been an inspiration to more people than any other woman who ever lived. For Catholics, Protestants, Jews, and Muslims, for artists, musicians, and writers, and for women and men everywhere she has shown many faces and personified a variety of virtues. In this important book, a world-renowned scholar who is the author of numerous books - including the best-selling Jesus Through the Centuries - tells how Mary has been depicted and venerated through the ages. Jaroslav show more Pelikan examines the biblical portrait of Mary, analyzing both the New and Old Testaments to see how the bits of information provided about her were expanded into a full-blown doctrine. He explores the view of Mary in late antiquity, where the differences between Mary, the mother of Christ, and Eve, the "mother of all living," provided positive and negative symbols of women. He discusses how the Eastern church commemorated Mary and how she was portrayed in the Holy Qur'an of Islam. He explains how the paradox of Mary as Virgin Mother shaped the paradoxical Catholic view of sexuality and how Reformation rejection of the worship of Mary allowed her to be a model of faith for Protestants. He considers also her role in political and social history. He analyzes the place of Mary in literature - from Dante, Spenser, and Milton to Wordsworth, George Eliot, and Goethe - as well as in music and art, and he describes the miraculous apparitions of Mary that have been experienced by the common people. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
A truly excellent introduction to the place of the Virgin Mary in the Christian Faith and the various ways she has been seen throughout history. Perhaps the most interesting parts of the book were those in which Pelikan shows how undermining the doctrines regarding Mary, such as her place as "Theotokos," essentially undermines the doctrines of Christ. I recommend this book for those who are looking for a better understanding of the place of the Blessed Virgin in the Christian Faith and why she is more than deserving of that place.
Fascinating look at the way theology can develop through art prior to being articulated in argument.
This is an excellent book that details how the perception of Mary has changed over time in Christianity and Islam (Islam is focused on to a lesser extent). It doesn't attempt to describe the historical person of Mary, just how her role or persona has changed with the attitudes or concerns of the people.
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Author Information
109+ Works 15,827 Members
Jaroslav Pelikan (1923-2006) was Sterling Professor of History Emeritus at Yale University. He authored many books, including Whose Bible Is It? A History of the Scriptures through the Ages and Credo: Historical and Theological Guide to Creeds and Confessions of Faith in the Christian Tradition.
Awards and Honors
Awards
Common Knowledge
- People/Characters
- Mary, mother of Jesus (Luke 2)
Classifications
- Genres
- Religion & Spirituality, Nonfiction, History, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 232.91 — Religion Christianity Jesus Christ and his family Family and life of Jesus Mariology, Mary (mother of Jesus)
- LCC
- BT610 .P45 — Philosophy, Psychology and Religion Doctrinal Theology Doctrinal Theology Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ. Mariology
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 665
- Popularity
- 43,181
- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (3.83)
- Languages
- Dutch, English, German, Portuguese
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 5
- UPCs
- 1
- ASINs
- 2
