Fortress Press, 1999
Beverly Roberts Gaventa
If you are interested in how a Protestant woman, who is also a New Testament scholar, might view Mary, the mother of Jesus, this is the book to read. Beverly Gaventa here examines each of the four gospels and the Protoevangelium of James, with a view to studying Mary as a "literary character," that is, tracing Mary's role in the stories told. This method prevents any exchanges among the stories and yields a bare bones portrait of the mother of Jesus. It is also, as is to be expected, a reading that is completely compatible with Protestant exegetical and theological principles.
In her conclusion, Gaventa highlights three motifs that she considers important for our time. They are Mary's vulnerability; her practice of pondering or reflecting on what happens; and her role as witness to Jesus. Mary's vulnerability connects her to all creatures of God's making. Her practice of reflecting on events initiates Christian reflection. And her witness, especially at the cross, lives out "a simple and yet eloquent form of faithfulness." In all of this, Gaventa considers Mary to be a model for all Christians.
Mary Aquin O'Neill, RSM