Protestant Devotion to the Virgin Mary

Paper Summary:

This extensive study investigates the role of the Virgin Mary in today's Protestant churches. The writer examines whether there currently exists an identifiable Protestant liturgical theology of Mary. The author further examines the most significant contemporary developments in Protestant Mariology. The author states that since this investigation seeks to uncover how everyday Protestants view Mary's role in their religion, the scope of research extends beyond scholarly texts. The author considers information from mass media resources like magazines, and less traditional media sources, such as websites to be a reflection of the popular view of Mary. According to the author, untraditional sources provide insight into how modern lay Protestants view Mary, if they honor her, or if they believe she should be honored. The paper further examines how church officials approach devotion to Mary, and if they desire pro-Marian changes in Protestantism. The potential controversy surrounding Mary in the Protestant church is also considered. The author hopes that information from a broad variety of practitioners will yield a suggestion about the modern state of Mary in the Protestant church and whether her role should change.

Outline:
Proposal
Introduction
Hypothesis
Literature Review
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Traditionally, at least in recent history, the Virgin Mary has not played a very large role in the various Protestant faiths. In fact, many modern Protestants only recall celebrating Mary during Christmas, and those celebrations were strictly limited to Mary's role in the birth of Christ rather than celebrating Mary's prophecies prior to Jesus' birth or the role that she played as Jesus' day-to-day parent. The Protestant attitude towards Mary contrasts starkly with Catholic and Orthodox attitudes, which celebrate Mary in several different ways. To Catholics, Mary was chosen to be the mother of God's son because she was an example of a devout and loving Jew, so that her spiritual greatness actually preceded the events that are traditionally associated with her. However, to Protestants, prior to the visit from the angel Gabriel, Mary led an unremarkable life, and her sole claim to significance in Christianity is the fact that she was chosen, more or less arbitrarily, by God to be the mother of his son. Furthermore, many Protestants not only refused to share in the Catholic and Orthodox reverence for the Virgin, but have actually reacted vehemently against it, associating respect and reverence for Mary with the some type of idolatry."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Butler, D. (1998). The Blessed Virgin Mary in the Protestant tradition. In W.
• MacLoughlin and J. Pinnock (Ed.), Mary is for everyone (pp. 56-67). New York: Morehouse Group.
• Byassee, J. (2006). Protestants and Marian devotion- what about Mary? Retrieved December 11, 2006 from Religion OnlineWeb site: http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=3156
• Diamant, J. (2006, December 18). Latinos find a new spiritual home. The Star Ledger Somerset/Hunterdon Edition, p. 1.December 18, 2006. pg. 1.
• Hurley, M. (2002). Interchurch Relations: Forty years in the desert. In W. MacLoughlin and J.

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