Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary - by Brant Pitre (Hardcover)

About the Book

The bestselling author of "Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist" casts new light on the Virgin Mary, illuminating her role in the Old and New Testaments.

Book Synopsis

"Brant Pitre is one of the most compelling theological writers on the scene today." -Bishop Robert Barron

Bestselling author of Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist casts new light on the Virgin Mary, illuminating her role in the Old and New Testaments.

Are Catholic teachings on Mary really biblical? Or are they the "traditions of men"? Should she be called the "Mother of God," or just the mother of Jesus? Did she actually remain a virgin her whole life or do the "brothers of Jesus" refer to her other children? By praying to Mary, are Catholics worshipping her? And what does Mary have to do with the quest to understand Jesus?

In Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary, Dr. Pitre takes readers step-by-step from the Garden of Eden to the Book of Revelation to reveal how deeply biblical Catholic beliefs about Mary really are. Dr. Pitre uses the Old Testament and Ancient Judaism to unlock how the Bible itself teaches that Mary is in fact the new Eve, the Mother of God, the Queen of Heaven and Earth, and the new Ark of the Covenant.

Review Quotes

"This book is vintage Brant Pitre: clear, persuasive, readable, and above all, inspiring. It causes us not only to know more about the Mother of God, but also to love her more." -Robert Barron, Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles and author of To Light a Fire on the Earth

"Mystified by the way Catholics speak about Mary? Join the club! But if you - like me - have longed for a book that makes a good biblical case for Catholic teachings relating to Mary, then look no further! Brant Pitre has produced an absolutely riveting, page-turning read, surely the most thought-provoking and stimulating I have ever read on the subject." -Chris Tilling, Graduate Tutor and Senior Lecturer in New Testament Studies

"I did not think a single book could be written about Mary that would excite and unite Catholic and Protestant readers - scholars, clergy and laity alike. What Pitre does with the Bible and Marian typology is clear and compelling. A joy to read, this is the best biblical study of Mary I have ever read. A true masterpiece." -Scott Hahn, author of The Lamb's Supper and The Fourth Cup

"Combining detailed biblical study with his own personal reflections, Pitre explains how Mary the mother of Jesus came to be regarded as a new Eve, a new Rachel, the ark of the new covenant, heavenly queen, perpetual virgin, and mother of God. The volume is an accessible, indeed essential, guide to Roman Catholic teaching, and it should interest anyone seeking deeper understanding of Mary's role." -Amy-Jill Levine, University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies, Vanderbilt Divinity School and College of Arts and Science

"Brant Pitre takes important theological truths and makes them not only interesting, but exciting. This book will revolutionize your understanding of the most important woman in history." -Jennifer Fulwiler, author of One Beautiful Dream

"Combining rich Biblical scholarship with an engaging, easy-to-read style, this highly accessible book offers a fresh look at Mary in the Bible. Pitre clearly and convincingly shows that the Bible reveals much more about Jesus' mother than is commonly appreciated today. A must read for every Christian who takes the Bible seriously and is open to what God's Word has to say about Mary." -Edward Sri, author of Walking with Mary

"It simply is not possible to read the Christian Scriptures without reading the New Testament in light of the Old. With his rare combination of historical-critical mastery and theological erudition, Pitre illumines the whole Scriptures in pondering the figure of Mary." -Matthew Levering, James N. and Mary D. Perry Jr. Chair of Theology, Mundelein Seminary

"'Mary is not a...dogma, but a person.' This climax, towards which Brant Pitre masterfully leads the reader, is exemplified throughout his book Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary, a study which is both careful in argument and breathtaking in scope. Pitre's premise is that we must look to the Old Testament as well as the New Testament to find the Mother of God. In doing this, we follow the Church Fathers (and also the apostles!), who used typology to clarify both the person of Jesus and his mother. Readers will delight in a thorough but accessible presentation that judiciously incorporates Scripture, ancient writings, and contemporary scholars from Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, and even Jewish contexts. Especially intriguing is his convincing construal of holy Mary as a 'new Rachel' who intercedes for her children. Here is a winsome book, whose Catholic perspective will engage both Catholic and Orthodox who honor the Theotokos, and Protestants who have questions to ask about her." -Edith Mary Humphrey, William F. Orr Professor of New Testament, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

"I've spent a long time reading books, loving books, collecting books...and I've spent the last four decades evangelizing with books. So I know that this one is destined to become what the sisters call a 'bread and butter' title. That's convent talk for basic, necessary, life-giving, something you never get tired of. In other words, not a shelf-sitter or dust collector. This one's a gem and a keeper. It is absolutely clear, convincing, heartfelt mariology...and it's also something you could easily give to your bishop or your hairdresser. Brant's books have always opened doors for me, into familiar places and wonderfully unexplored places. But this one? This one is a golden door. Because he speaks of someone he loves, and you can feel it. So whether this is your first introduction to the beautiful Mother of God or whether it is a deepening of a love story already begun, this book deserves to be read and SHARED!" -Sr. Julia Darrenkamp, F.S.P., Pauline Books and Media

About the Author

BRANT PITRE is a professor of Sacred Scripture at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is the author of the bestselling book Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist: Unlocking the Secrets of the Last Supper (2011). Dr. Pitre is an extremely enthusiastic and highly sought-after speaker who lectures regularly across the United States. He has produced dozens of Bible studies on both CD and DVD, in which he explores the biblical roots of the Catholic faith. He has also appeared on a number of Catholic radio and television shows, such as Catholic Answers Live and programs on EWTN. He currently lives in Louisiana with his wife, Elizabeth, and their five young children.