New Perspectives On Mary … McKnight to offer something of a third way?


Scot McKnight is one of the most prolific bloggers I read over at Jesus Creed. He is, according to Theopedia,

Scot McKnight is the Karl A. Olsson Professor in Religious
Studies at North Park University. The author of more than ten books and
numerous articles and chapters in multi-authored works, McKnight
specializes in historical Jesus studies as well as the Gospels and the New Testament.
As an authority in Jesus studies, McKnight has been frequently
consulted by Fox News, WGN, US News & World Report, Newsweek, TIME,
as well as newspapers throughout the United States. [1]  McKnight is also an advocate of the New Perspective on Paul.

Fellow blogger Steve McCoy spent some time with McKnight about a year ago. I have had an e-mail exchange with Scot about the potential for an ETREK Course. He will serve at Visiting Professor of New Testament at Biblical Seminary in the spring of 2007. I am personally excited about Scot and the relationship with Biblical.

Scot wrote, The Real Mary. The book is published by Paraclete Press. Copies should be on their way for both review and for sale. In a recent e-mail to those of us who have agreed to help publicize Scot’s new book he wrote,

"… I believe we have what may turn out to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to
open up a conversation about Mary. For years Protestants have ignored Mary, but
recent Hollywood movies — along with a younger generation that seems to be
finding Mary fascinating — are asking us once again to probe the Bible to see
what it says. I do hope The Real Mary opens up genuine conversation about
what the real Mary was like and what the Bible really does say about her. No
one, I contend, tells the story of how 1st Century Jews came to faith as the
story of Mary does."

You may download a sample of the table of contents and two chapters here

. Some 85 folks are on board to hold forums and discuss Scot’s new book on or around December 3 to coincide with the release of "The Nativity Story."

The Season of Advent is just around the corner and many in our tribe will offer at least one "Nativity" scene with our Christmas decorations. We often have a few different forms around our home. I wonder if this might be an especially important book for those who grew up like I did viewing the characters surround the manger as fairly one dimensional. We tip our hats acknowledging something of the discomfort for both Joseph and Mary. Our posture was more reaction than assertion. We left Mary alone because Roman Catholics had done too much with her.

McKnight offers a third way, something of a way between the two poles marked out by theological controversies. In response to the question, "Why a book about Mary by a Protestant?" Scot notes,

Because the real story of Mary has never been told. The Mary of the Bible has been hijacked by theological controversies whereby she has become a Rorschach inkblot in which theologians find whatever they wish to find. In the midst of this controversy, the real Mary as been left behind. It is time to let her story be told again. (p.5)

I await my copy to offer more of a review. For now, know I am looking forward to see just how Scot helps the story of Mary unfold in such a way we may find a fresh perspective on Mary to illustrate for us another illustration of the way forward following Jesus.

About the Author
Husband to Patty. Daddy to Kimberly and Tommie. Grandpa Doc to Cohen, Max, Fox, and Marlee. Pastor to Snow Hill Baptist Church. Graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Reading. Photography. Golf. Colorado. Jeeping. Friend. The views and opinions expressed here are my own and should not be construed as representing the corporate views of the church I pastor.

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