Mary for All Christians

by John MacQuarrie

One of Britain's most distinguished and well-loved Reformed theologians, Professor Macquarrie, wrote this book to explain basic Christian beliefs held about Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ. A long-time member of the Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the author intended this book for all Christians, in the hope that they might find in Mary resources for reconciliation, rather than reason for conflict. It was well received in its first edition, and has now been revised and expanded.
The book deals unflinchingly with questions that have been matters of fierce the Marian dogmas of the Catholic devotions, including current debates concerning the place of Mary in Scripture, and the meaning of her Immaculate Conception and Assumption, as well as the proposal for a new Marian dogma (Co-redemption). It explores the meaning of the feminine in Christianity, and compares the values represented by Mary in Catholic devotion with those prevalent in today's society.

Genres: Theology

160 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1991

About the author

John Macquarrie FBA TD was a Scottish-born theologian and philosopher. Timothy Bradshaw has described Macquarrie as "unquestionably Anglicanism's most distinguished systematic theologian in the second half of the twentieth century."

Reviews

[Andrew Kinney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book purports to be "for all Christians," but seems to only appeal to a certain kind of liberal Anglican. MacQuarrie's attempts to defend Mary from feminist grounds or by the authority of Augustine, Luther, and Vatican II has somewhat of a limited audience. I do not know that this book achieved what it set out to do.

Still, hearing his arguments for the Immaculate Conception, Corredemptrix, etc., described from the point of view of a non-Catholic whose faith does not hang in the balance of his Marian apologetics was refreshing. He writes well. If you are willing to read between the lines he also makes interesting arguments. However, those arguments do not establish common ground with most evangelical Protestants, so there is no common ground by which they could be convinced.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by a late Anglo-Catholic theologian, this books attempts to wrestle with the doctrines concerning Mary in the Western Theological tradition and assesses them within a positive light. His purpose is ecumenical and to illuminate the theological points about beliefs about Mary. As a protestant evangelical I didn't find most of his arguments about the perpetual virginity, immaculate conception, ascension, coredemptrix compelling but I do take his point that non-Catholics often do not endue Mary with the significance she deserves considering the role she plays in the life of Jesus.

[Rob Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps the best defence of Marian devotion is an honest one.

Macquarrie doesn’t shy away from how relatively recent some of its official formulations are, or why so many Christians struggle with the subject. That honesty gave the book a seriousness I appreciated.

Between this and my other reading for Walsingham, I’ve developed a much greater understanding, and even appreciation, of Mary’s place within Christianity. It’s surprisingly accessible for something that goes into considerable depth.

Well worth reading. Not a keeper for me, but certainly one I’ll revisit before it leaves the library. For someone moving towards Catholicism, I could see this being something of a launchpad.

[Ence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anglican take on Marian dogmas— immaculate conception, assumption, co-redemptrix, plus a wild ride first chapter about femininity and God. Really earnest precise arguments aimed at sympathetic Catholic-type Anglicans. Account of the development of his belief in the assumption is esp striking and honest — belief coming before understanding. Makes a very good implicit case for mariology & other theology being all wrapped up together. Plus a nice liturgy at the end and very funny lectionary-beef footnotes.

[Tynan Brooks]

Solid, ecunemical look at various doctrines surrounding the Blessed Virgin Mary, though Macquarrie accepts some very 80s/90s ideas about "the feminine" which I can't sign onto.