“The Real Mary: Why Evangelical Christians Can Embrace the Mother of Jesus”
Scot McKnight, an evangelical Christian, has acknowledged two things: the first, most Protestants know next to nothing about Mary; and second, the popular conception of Mary as “hyper-pious, with her hands folded in prayer … like a nun,” has little to do with the “courageous, gutsy” young woman — “the real Mary” — of the Bible”. At that moment, McKnight vowed to “reclaim” Mary, a New Testament figure revered by Roman Catholics and largely overlooked by Protestants. McKnight is the author of, “The Real Mary: Why Evangelical Christians Can Embrace the Mother of Jesus.”
“The Nativity Story,” a movie that chronicles the lives of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus, hits theaters Friday, and Protestants around the country are using the film to re-evaluate the role of Mary within Protestant tradition.
McKnight and his publisher, Paraclete Press, have helped organize more than 60 Protestant groups around the country to host forums in early December to discuss the movie and the book.
The goal, as McKnight sees it, amounts to nothing short of a coup by the Protestant church. “There are a few of us who are in a Trojan horse,” said McKnight, 53. “It’s as if we’ve been released in the Vatican, and we’re swiping Mary and taking her back to the Protestant world.”
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There gets to be a point when protestants should just stop stealing and start becoming actual catholics. So much that thoughtful evangelicals and protestants hold dear today in terms of spirituality or devotion is catholic at its core, whether it’s a rediscovery of spiritual disciplines like fasting, an appreciation for liturgy, or a recognition of the need for community and even hierarchy. Protestantism is a spent force, and evangelicalism is shallow.
So this business of being a “trojan horse” frosts me a little, but it’s also humorous; these folks might just find themselves not wanting to leave after so many raids of the Mother Church.
Comment by Irenaeus — November 26, 2006 @ 7:21 pm
these folks might just find themselves not wanting to leave after so many raids of the Mother Church.
We can hope and pray.
Comment by shelray — November 26, 2006 @ 8:05 pm
Heck, and I’m protestant.
Comment by Irenaeus — November 27, 2006 @ 9:05 am
“The goal, as McKnight sees it, amounts to nothing short of a coup by the Protestant church.”
The Protestant church? This phrase alone is amusing.
Comment by amused — November 27, 2006 @ 10:53 pm
Very amusing. What, 33,000 denominations in North America alone?
Comment by Irenaeus — November 28, 2006 @ 9:00 am
Hmmm…Let’s see, they start thinking about Our Lady, then they might begin to venerate her. Over time, as she prays for them, their veneration becomes hyperdulia. She prays some more–
In a while, the communion of saints, who’ve been praying since Luther first had some odd thoughts, generate merit in the treasury of Merit.
Through this, great ammounts of Grace are released, and one day the Protestants realize the truth of Christian doctrin, and re-enter communion with the Church Christ founded.
Ladies and Gentlemen–this may be suicide for the protestant heresy!
Comment by ignorant redneck — November 28, 2006 @ 6:34 pm