Adapted from Eric Svendsen's doctoral dissertation, this work debunks the Marian mythology and superstition that so permeates Roman
Catholic piety, apologetics and theology today. Who Is My Mother? The
Role and Status of Mary in the New Testament and Roman Catholicism
by Eric Svendsen
Adapted from Eric Svendsen's doctoral dissertation, this work debunks the Marian mythology and superstition that so permeates Roman
Catholic piety, apologetics and theology today.
The reviews are in . . .
"While many North American Catholics today play down their tradition’s
historic devotion to Mary, pronouncements about her exalted status remain
official Catholic dogma and prove highly influential on most other continents.
Svendsen painstakingly examines every biblical reference to Mary, in dialogue
with major apologists for traditional Catholicism, and convincingly demonstrates
how little biblical support there is for treating Mary differently from any
other believer. No other work available today surveys this landscape in quite
this way."
Craig L. Blomberg, Ph.D.
Professor of New Testament,
Denver Seminary
". . . By solid exegesis and judicious theological judgments, Eric Svendsen
both demystifies the later Marian dogma . . . , and shows Mary to be a faithful
Christian disciple, like many of her generation, from whom we can learn a great
deal about everyday, consistent, biblical piety. In so doing, Svendsen is able
to show by clear and careful biblical scholarship that later Roman Catholic
Mariology is not, as it claims, a natural theological development of the
biblical data, but rather an unfortunate and tendentious distortion."
Peter Jones
Professor of New Testament
Chairman of the Dept. of Biblical Studies
Westminster Theological Seminary
"Today, as much as ever, Christians need to understand the difference between Roman Catholicism and Biblical Christianity, and in this discussion the Biblical teaching regarding the person and role of Mary looms large. Indeed, I have found that in the minds of many sincere Roman Catholics, this is the issue that divides them from the Evangelical faith of their friends. For this discussion, Svendsen has given us more information than is available in any other single book and has provided a reliable reference on the subject. His exegetical work is thorough, his conclusions are objective, and his writing is clear, helpful, and non-offensive. It is a pleasure to commend this most timely book."
Fred G. Zaspel
Pastor, Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville, PA
and Emanuel Church, Minersville, PA
Adjunct Lecturer in New Testament
Penn State University
Author of The Theology of Fulfillment
"This is a promising and stimulating piece of research, clear and well
thought out. It will be of value to both students and academics."
Gerald Hughes, Ph.D.
Greenwich School of Theology, U.K.
"Dr. Svendsen's study of Mary illustrates a basic theorem of Christian theology, that any addition to the truth is always a subtraction from it. Is Jesus Christ the church's only, sufficient Savior and Mediator, yes or no? And was Mary fully like us, sin included, yes or no? There's a lot at stake in our answer to these questions. Who is My Mother? helps both Roman Catholics and Protestants respond with a biblical yes to both. What better way to honor both Jesus and Mary?"
Dr. Nelson D. Kloosterman
Professor of Ethics and New Testament
Mid-America Reformed Seminary
"Anyone would be sorely hard pressed to derive, from the New Testament data, a valid exegetical basis for the Co-Redemptress, Co-Mediatrix, perpetual virginity, and spiritual maternity of Mary--the mother, servant, and disciple of Jesus Christ. Dr. Svendsen correctly states in his book, Who is My Mother?, that there exists a "great disparity between the biblical data and Roman Catholic dogma." This work exemplifies a fine, respectful piece of exegetical and apologetic scholarship concerning the person and status of Mary, the wife of Joseph. Dr. Svendsen writes clearly and crisply, leveling arguments which are pithy, sound, and balanced. His approach evidences neither mere dogmatic declaration, nor personal, presumptuous pontification. He defers to an honest, detailed treatment of the biblical texts, and not to historical theological and traditional development. He engages opposing views soberly, thoroughly, and knowledgeably, exposing fallacious and untenable thinking in the differing perspectives. Theological integrity and intellectual honesty characterize this commendable work; and I am sure that it will be recognized as a significant contribution to the Mariology debate. With this work, Dr. Svendsen serves notice to Roman Catholic exegetical scholarship, and provides welcomed direction to Protestant New Testament reflection."
Dr. Brian Allison
Professor of Apologetics
Toronto Baptist Seminary and Bible College
Senior Pastor, Unionville Baptist Church, Unionville, ON
"No single subject better illustrates the differences
between Protestants and Roman Catholics on the interpretation and sufficiency of
Scripture than does the role and status of Mary, the mother of our Lord. For the
Roman Catholic, Mary is an essential part of the Gospel message and Christian
discipleship. For the Protestant, she is a highly regarded but fallible disciple
of the Lord. Rome says that she is an impeccable co-mediatrix. Geneva says that
she is a sinner saved by grace, but called to an extraordinary task in the kind
providence of God. Who is right? What saith the Lord? What does the Bible say?
Eric Svendsen graciously but rigorously surveys the New Testament material, in
constant interaction with Rome's best scholarly representatives. When he is
done, no doubt is left on the matter. Roman Marian devotion is without a shred
of legitimacy based on the New Testament witness. I challenge any impartial
reader to read Scott Hahn's treatment of Mariology and then read Eric Svendsen,
and then answer a question: 'Does the Roman Catholic teaching on Mary square
with the Bible's teaching on Mary?' I can already give you the answer!"
J. Ligon Duncan III, PhD
Senior Minister
First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, MS
Adjunct Professor of Systematic Theology
Reformed Theological Seminary
Council Member, Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals
". . . Eric Svendsen has provided the evangelical community at large a great
service in this day of compromise and apathy in writing Who Is My Mother?
The evangelist seeking to communicate the gospel message to the zealous follower
of Mary will reap a rich harvest in the pages of Dr. Svendsen’s work. I
especially appreciate the ground-breaking study of the phrase heos hou
and its relevance to Matthew 1:25 and the doctrine of "perpetual
virginity." And surely the honest reader will be struck by the vast
exegetical difference that separates a sober, serious work such as this, and
that found in the most popular of Rome’s apologists."
James White, Th.D.
Director, Alpha and Omega Ministries
Author of The Roman Catholic Controversy (Bethany House Publishers)
"In this careful study Dr. Eric Svendsen has upheld the great Reformation tradition of correcting the plaguing errors of contemporary Christian practice with substantive Biblical instruction. Thus, he has ably addressed both the excesses of Roman Catholic teaching and the deficiencies of Reformed teaching on Mary. For this, we all ought to be grateful."
Dr. George Grant
Director of Kings Meadow Study Center (www.KingsMeadow.com)
Author of "Grand Illusions" and "Killer
Angel: A Biography of Planned Parenthood's Founder Margaret Sanger
"Until this book there has been no definitive response to the many Roman Catholic myths concerning Mary. Here, at last, anyone looking for it may find more than enough help. Arguments, no matter how outlandish, are considered and refuted; every biblical reference is carefully examined and exegeted, and a devastating (but calm) counter-argument is presented. The book is scholarly, but not difficult to read. I highly commend it!"
Dr. Jay Adams
Noted Christian Author
Professor of Practical Theology
Westminster Theological Seminary
"Eric Svendsen has given us a capable treatment of the Protestant view of Mary, the mother of our Lord. Avoiding the extremes of adoration and hostility, he articulates a careful biblical Mariology, and yes, there is such a thing."
Douglas Wilson
Author, Editor of "Credenda Agenda" Magazine
Senior Fellow at New St. Andrews College
Pastor of Christ Church, Moscow, Idaho
"Since Vatican II, the face of Roman Catholicism has changed. Rather than relying on answers that are no longer being debated or succumbing to a thin veneer of questionable evangelicalism, Biblical Christianity must answer the current issues being raised by the Roman Catholic Community through a return to the Reformation principle of Sola Scriptura. Eric Svendsen accomplishes this task in his book Who is My Mother? The Role and Status of the Mother of Jesus in the New Testament and Roman Catholicism. With captivating clarity and solid Biblical exegesis, Dr. Svendsen unveils the Biblical view of Mary as opposed to both historic and modern Catholicism. This is a must-read for the modern evangelical church to guard against the extremes of either an unbiblical elevation of Mary or an ignoring of her Biblical role in redemptive history."
Dale Nevelizer
Pastor of Tilbury Regular Baptist Church
Tutor of Old and New Testament Survey
Toronto Baptist Seminary
"Who Is My Mother? by Eric D. Svendsen incorporates the best sort of holistic argument for a controversial theological topic. Dealing with the question of the exaltation of Mary in Roman Catholic theology and her elevation to mediatorial status, Svendsen makes biblical exposition the key contributor to his argument. His exposition, however, brims with pertinency for he allows history to inform the texts and the particular questions he asks about the texts. Every key text used for the development of Mariology, or even Mariolatry, is subjected to careful scrutiny. Bibliographical knowledge, theological reasoning, logical examination, historical awareness, and clear biblical interpretation form the substance of each chapter. I give my humble but heart-convicted endorsement of this book. I know of no other such clear and thorough treatment of one of the central dividing points between Roman Catholics and Evangelical Protestants."
Tom J. Nettles, Ph.D.
Professor of Historical Theology
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Louisville, KY
"Dr. Svendsen is to be warmly commended for this winsome study of New Testament Mariology. His detailed analysis of the biblical evidence about Mary gives Evangelicals the resources to appreciate and understand a subject they have often tended to ignore due to their opposition of the Roman Catholic exaltation of Mary. Right-minded though this opposition is, they do need to know what Scripture teaches on this subject. Svendsen’s solid biblical exegesis also shows, however, that there are absolutely no Scriptural foundations for the distinctive aspects of Roman Catholic teaching on Mary. Roman Catholic theology and piety have deeply erred in this regard and have no God-given mandate for what they teach about the mother of Jesus. Highly recommended as must reading in a day when the lines between Roman Catholic and Evangelical are being blurred."
Michael A. G. Haykin
Professor of Church History
Heritage Theological Seminary, Cambridge, Ontario
Editorial Director, Joshua Press
"The Roman Catholic devotion to Mary is one of the perplexing issues which Evangelicals face today. In spite of the powerful rebuke to Mariolatry which was given by the Protestant Reformation, it seems that Mary's place in Catholic theology increases year by year. Many are now urging the Pope to declare her Co-Redeemer with Christ. I welcome this scholarly examination by Dr. Svendsen as a timely and needed refutation of Catholic veneration of the mother of Jesus. It should be an effective tool in witnessing to Catholics."
John F. Thornbury, Th.M., D.Min
Author, God Sent Revival, The Story of Asahel Nettleton and the Second Great
Awakening, and David Brainerd, Pioneer Missionary to the American
Indians
"Eric Svendsen has produced a first rate work on the biblical teaching
on Mary. He provides a detailed exegesis and analysis of every pertinent New
Testament passage dealing with the role and status of Mary. In so doing, he
allows Scripture to express its own meaning, thereby exposing the disparity that
exists between the truth of Scripture and the strained exegesis of Rome."
William Webster
Director, Christian Resources
Author of The Church of Rome at the Bar of History (Banner of Truth)
"The via media, achieved through adherence to Scripture and a love for Christ's church, has always been the way of Reformation. R.B. Kuiper used to carefully explain the via media by pointing out the errors which were lurking on either side of it. Eric Svendsen helps us to stay on the right path by reminding us not to make too much of--nor too little of--Mary, or better, Miriam, the one whom all generations have rightly called "blessed" (Luke 1:48).
Steve M. Schlissel
Pastor, Messiah's Congregation, NYC
Author of Hal Lindsey & the Restoration of the Jews
Who Is My Mother? is another excellent work by Eric Svendsen on one of the most critical issues within the professing church of Jesus Christ. Roman Catholicism in general and the role and attributes of the mother of Jesus in particular have caused much debate and division within the evangelical church. Dr. Svendsen's sound biblical exegesis shows there is no Scriptural support for the exalted perpetual and sinless "Virgin Mary" of Roman Catholicism. Evangelicals who read this book will be ready to give answers to Roman Catholics who believe Mary is co-mediatrix and point them to the Lord and only mediator Jesus Christ."
Evangelist Mike Gendron
Director, Proclaiming the Gospel Ministry
Author of Preparing Catholics for Eternity and Scripture vs. Tradition