Mary: A Catholic, Evangelical Debate

Rating:
Summary: Refreshing apoligetic work
Review: As a Catholic convert from Evangelicalism, I really was intrigued by this debate from two very talented laymen. Both views were vigourously defended, and the respect both sides had for one another made the book work. I felt Mr. Gustafson did a great job of bringing up all the tough questions Evangelicals rightly ask concerning Marian devotion, and Mr. Longenknecker did what I thought was the single best job of not only defending, but helping to teach the logic and rationale behind the dogmas and practice of Catholicism regarding Mary. A highly readable book. Mr. Longanecker scored a home run with his metahpor of a future Christian sect misreading Evangelical devotion to the scriptures.. a perfect analogy. Mr Gustafson rightly cornered the Catholic writer on much of the excessive devotional writings, especially the popes on the Mediatrix issue.
Overall, the single best book Ive read on the subject...and how refreshing both men still considers the other a brother in Christ..there is hope.

Rating:
Summary: Refreshing apoligetic work
Review: As a Catholic convert from Evangelicalism, I really was intrigued by this debate from two very talented laymen. Both views were vigourously defended, and the respect both sides had for one another made the book work. I felt Mr. Gustafson did a great job of bringing up all the tough questions Evangelicals rightly ask concerning Marian devotion, and Mr. Longenknecker did what I thought was the single best job of not only defending, but helping to teach the logic and rationale behind the dogmas and practice of Catholicism regarding Mary. A highly readable book. Mr. Longanecker scored a home run with his metahpor of a future Christian sect misreading Evangelical devotion to the scriptures.. a perfect analogy. Mr Gustafson rightly cornered the Catholic writer on much of the excessive devotional writings, especially the popes on the Mediatrix issue.
Overall, the single best book Ive read on the subject...and how refreshing both men still considers the other a brother in Christ..there is hope.

Rating:
Summary: Avoiding the "Straw Man"
Review: Few topics can get the tempers flaring between Catholics and Protestants than devotion to Mary. While Catholics (as well as the Orthodox and some Anglicans) see it as a natural outgrowth and reflection of the Incarnation, there is a general feeling within much of Protestantism to look upon Marian devotion as bordering on idolatry. Attempts to mediate the differences usually take one of two paths: either the real differences between Christians are minimized in a banal soup of least common denominator theology or else it dissolves into angry polemical exchanges shedding far more heat than light.

The debate presented in Mary between Dwight Longenecker and David Gustafson is a wonderful exception to this unfortunate pattern. Both participants graduated from Bob Jones University (a known bastion of anti-Catholic polemic) before moving from the Protestant fundamentalism promoted there to a more historically rooted Christianity in Anglicanism (with Longenecker favoring the more Catholic and Gustafson the more Evangelical wings of the Anglican tradition). Longenecker has since moved on to Rome and with it an acceptance of beliefs peculiar to it - many dealing with Mary. These and other Marian beliefs and practices are the center of the debate and the result is an almost unparalleled attempt to discuss the truth in love on both sides. It is indeed rare to have a book endorsed by both Richard Neuhaus and J. I. Packer (both of whom write forwards) as well as by both Michael Horton and Peter Kreeft (both of whom write cover blurbs), and the backing by such noted theologians on both sides is testimony to the book's clear exposition of the issues.

It is a joy to see both men desiring to fully comprehend the other's position and addressing their objections accordingly. There are neither "straw men" raised here nor is there an avoidance of the central issues. Both participants are intelligent, knowledgeable, and fair. In fact, it is safe to say the best each side has to offer is presented in a clear and concise manner and left for the reader to prayerfully consider. At times each of the two debaters are put on the defensive - Gustafson is at a loss to explain how the early Church fathers (including such important figures as Sts. Athanasius and Augustine) could possible make such an obvious and crucial "error" as Marian devotion while Longenecker all but apologizes for papal (although not yet binding doctrine) pronouncements bestowing upon Mary the titles co-Redemptix, Mediatrix, and Advocate. The exchanges are stimulating and those with opinions formed from ecclesial bias will find themselves challenged time and again. In the end, the book may not change opinions, but Christians on each side should fully appreciate the opposing view.

There are many books and tapes available contrasting Protestant and Roman positions on Mary but few with the clarity and honesty put forth in Mary. Longenecker and Gustavson are to be commended for producing this important and rewarding book. For those trying to grasp the conflicting claims on this topic, Mary is essential reading.

Rating:
Summary: Avoiding the "Straw Man"
Review: Few topics can get the tempers flaring between Catholics and Protestants than devotion to Mary. While Catholics (as well as the Orthodox and some Anglicans) see it as a natural outgrowth and reflection of the Incarnation, there is a general feeling within much of Protestantism to look upon Marian devotion as bordering on idolatry. Attempts to mediate the differences usually take one of two paths: either the real differences between Christians are minimized in a banal soup of least common denominator theology or else it dissolves into angry polemical exchanges shedding far more heat than light.

The debate presented in Mary between Dwight Longenecker and David Gustafson is a wonderful exception to this unfortunate pattern. Both participants graduated from Bob Jones University (a known bastion of anti-Catholic polemic) before moving from the Protestant fundamentalism promoted there to a more historically rooted Christianity in Anglicanism (with Longenecker favoring the more Catholic and Gustafson the more Evangelical wings of the Anglican tradition). Longenecker has since moved on to Rome and with it an acceptance of beliefs peculiar to it - many dealing with Mary. These and other Marian beliefs and practices are the center of the debate and the result is an almost unparalleled attempt to discuss the truth in love on both sides. It is indeed rare to have a book endorsed by both Richard Neuhaus and J. I. Packer (both of whom write forwards) as well as by both Michael Horton and Peter Kreeft (both of whom write cover blurbs), and the backing by such noted theologians on both sides is testimony to the book's clear exposition of the issues.

It is a joy to see both men desiring to fully comprehend the other's position and addressing their objections accordingly. There are neither "straw men" raised here nor is there an avoidance of the central issues. Both participants are intelligent, knowledgeable, and fair. In fact, it is safe to say the best each side has to offer is presented in a clear and concise manner and left for the reader to prayerfully consider. At times each of the two debaters are put on the defensive - Gustafson is at a loss to explain how the early Church fathers (including such important figures as Sts. Athanasius and Augustine) could possible make such an obvious and crucial "error" as Marian devotion while Longenecker all but apologizes for papal (although not yet binding doctrine) pronouncements bestowing upon Mary the titles co-Redemptix, Mediatrix, and Advocate. The exchanges are stimulating and those with opinions formed from ecclesial bias will find themselves challenged time and again. In the end, the book may not change opinions, but Christians on each side should fully appreciate the opposing view.

There are many books and tapes available contrasting Protestant and Roman positions on Mary but few with the clarity and honesty put forth in Mary. Longenecker and Gustavson are to be commended for producing this important and rewarding book. For those trying to grasp the conflicting claims on this topic, Mary is essential reading.

Rating:
Summary: A straight forward and level headed conversation
Review: This really is a level headed and straight forward book on Mary. The book is subtitled as a "debate" but it truly is a conversation, as the previous reviewer noted, although the writers tackle the issues with no kid gloves. A great feature of the book is that the authors treat each suject in a sequential order and each chapter flows easy into the next. Perhaps the best feature about the book is that each side offers well knowledgeable and serious arguments without jumping into un-informed caricatures or smear tactics. If your a Roman Catholic or a Protestant and want to learn what the "other side" believes this is the book for you.

Rating:
Summary: A straight forward and level headed conversation
Review: This really is a level headed and straight forward book on Mary. The book is subtitled as a "debate" but it truly is a conversation, as the previous reviewer noted, although the writers tackle the issues with no kid gloves. A great feature of the book is that the authors treat each suject in a sequential order and each chapter flows easy into the next. Perhaps the best feature about the book is that each side offers well knowledgeable and serious arguments without jumping into un-informed caricatures or smear tactics. If your a Roman Catholic or a Protestant and want to learn what the "other side" believes this is the book for you.

Rating:
Summary: Mary- A conversation (debate) between friends
Review: Wow, a book solely about Mary the mother of Jesus of Nazareth from both a Protestant and Roman Catholic point of view. The authors, Dwight and Dave, show forth their love for Christ's church and each other in this book. Reading this book is like listening in to a conversation between two good freinds who disagree on a matter that is dear to them. There is love and respect, but also great intellectual honesty and probing. Before I read this book I did not realize that the position of Mary in Roman Catholic teaching was so developed, and in fact is still developing. From a Protestant standpoint I did not realize that such greats as Luther were quite Catholic in their beliefs. Dave Gustafason does an outstanding job on presenting Evangelical thoughts on Mary, but at the same time being very understanding and open to his friend Dwights Catholic position. Both authors did a lot of homework from early church history to present and document this well without saturating you with footnotes. I know of no other book like this on Mary the mother of Jesus and her position in the Catholic and Protestant churches. I recommend it for all who seek more truth about Mary and her relationship to the church.