The Virgin Goddess: Studies in the Pagan and Christian Roots of MariologyThe contemporary search for the feminine face of God is requiring a re-examination of the relationship of Christianity to the pagan world in which it came to birth. Stephen Benko approaches this study as both an historian and a Christian believer. Inquiring into extra-biblical sources of Marian piety, belief and doctrine, he proposes 'that there is a direct line, unbroken and clearly discernible, from the goddess-cults of the ancients to the reverence paid and eventually the cult accorded to the Virgin Mary.' Chapter by chapter he seeks to establish his conclusion that 'in Mariology the Christian genius preserved and transformed some of the best and noblest ideas that paganism developed. Rather than being a 'regression' into Paganism, Mariology is a progression toward a clearer and better understanding of the feminine aspect of the divine and the role of the female in the history of salvation.' This publication has also been published in hardback, please click here for details. |
Contents
Goddesses in the GrecoRoman World | 20 |
The Image of the Goddess in the New Testament | 83 |
The Great Mother and Montanism | 137 |
From Devotion to Doctrine | 196 |
Mary and the History of Salvation | 229 |
Mariology Past and Future A Summary | 263 |
285 | |
Other editions - View all
The Virgin Goddess: Studies in the Pagan and Christian Roots of Mariology Stephen Benko Limited preview - 2003 |
The Virgin Goddess: Studies in the Pagan and Christian Roots of Mariology Stephen Benko No preview available - 1993 |
Common terms and phrases
according Adam ancient Artemis Asia Minor Atargatis Attis Augustine Benko birth bishop book of Revelation bread Caelestis cakes called Carthage century Christological Christology church concept cosmic creation cult Cybele Demeter Dionysus divine dragon early Christian elements Epiphanius faith Father female feminine fertility festival goddess gods gospel Greek heavenly Heinemann Hierapolis Hieros Gamos History Holy Spirit honor human idea Irenaeus Isis Jesus Christ Jewish Juno Kollyridians Leipzig London Lord Lucian male Marian Mariology Mary's Montanism Montanists moon mother mysteries mythology myths Nestorius NPNF origin Osiris Oxford pagan Paul piety Press priests prophecy Queen of Heaven quoted reference Religion religious Revelation 12 rites robe role Roman Rome sacred salvation says Seth sexual similar story Tanit temple Tertullian Teubner theology theotokos tion tradition Univ University Virgin Mary W. H. Roscher woman clothed women word worship York