This book is overflowing with things the Bible really does not say.
Here's an example: "The second genealogy of Jesus recorded in Luke's Gospel [sic] most likely traces Jesus' heritage through Mary," (p 36). When Matthew 1:1-16 is compared to Luke 3:23-38, one cannot help noticing many differences. But one thing is certain-the name before Jesus' in both trees is "Joseph." In both cases "Joseph" refers to the husband of Mary: "...Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born" (Matt. 1:16) and "Jesus... being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli..." (Lk. 3:23).
Some of Connelly's claims are amazing: "[Jesus' brothers] just saw him as the older brother-the one everybody (including their mother) always compared them to," (p 98). Although this happens in many families, it does not happen in all families, and I defy anyone to cite a Bible passage in which Mary says something like "why can't you be more like your brother Jesus?"
Connelly speculates about every subject imaginable, from Joseph's age to what Mary was thinking at any number of moments. This information is not found in the pages of the Bible. I don't mind good historical fiction, but the book is called Mary: What the Bible Really Says not Likely Stories of the Life of Mary.
Page 116 includes this "biblical" argument against Marian apparitions: "The Bible never hints or suggests that a believer who has died will ever appear on earth...." Turn to Deuteronomy 34:5-7 and consider for a moment the long and noble life of Moses. Consider the faith of Moses in Hebrews 11:24-29. Now read Matthew 17:1-8 and ask yourself if there is precedent in the Bible for believers who have died to appear on earth. It was not a one time event, apparently (Matt. 27:52-53). Far from excluding the possibility, or even silence, the Bible shows that such a thing has certainly happened in the past.
Connelly's book has some good features. He considers Mary, too often ignored by Protestants, a model of persevering obedience, active reflection and meditation, and courageous vulnerability. All Christians, he believes, would indeed do well to imitate her virtues. But the title of the book belies its speculative content. The majority of the book is not What the Bible Really Says.
Here's an example: "The second genealogy of Jesus recorded in Luke's Gospel [sic] most likely traces Jesus' heritage through Mary," (p 36). When Matthew 1:1-16 is compared to Luke 3:23-38, one cannot help noticing many differences. But one thing is certain-the name before Jesus' in both trees is "Joseph." In both cases "Joseph" refers to the husband of Mary: "...Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born" (Matt. 1:16) and "Jesus... being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli..." (Lk. 3:23).
Some of Connelly's claims are amazing: "[Jesus' brothers] just saw him as the older brother-the one everybody (including their mother) always compared them to," (p 98). Although this happens in many families, it does not happen in all families, and I defy anyone to cite a Bible passage in which Mary says something like "why can't you be more like your brother Jesus?"
Connelly speculates about every subject imaginable, from Joseph's age to what Mary was thinking at any number of moments. This information is not found in the pages of the Bible. I don't mind good historical fiction, but the book is called Mary: What the Bible Really Says not Likely Stories of the Life of Mary.
Page 116 includes this "biblical" argument against Marian apparitions: "The Bible never hints or suggests that a believer who has died will ever appear on earth...." Turn to Deuteronomy 34:5-7 and consider for a moment the long and noble life of Moses. Consider the faith of Moses in Hebrews 11:24-29. Now read Matthew 17:1-8 and ask yourself if there is precedent in the Bible for believers who have died to appear on earth. It was not a one time event, apparently (Matt. 27:52-53). Far from excluding the possibility, or even silence, the Bible shows that such a thing has certainly happened in the past.
Connelly's book has some good features. He considers Mary, too often ignored by Protestants, a model of persevering obedience, active reflection and meditation, and courageous vulnerability. All Christians, he believes, would indeed do well to imitate her virtues. But the title of the book belies its speculative content. The majority of the book is not What the Bible Really Says.
