The renewed interest in Mary also evidenced at Vanderbilt Divinity
A Vanderbuilt University theologian believes that books like “the Da Vinci Code” and the writings of Pope John Paul II have helped stoke interest in Mary as a feminine icon of Christianity.
“If you look at what Mary says in Luke 1, it’s quite astonishingly powerful, independent-minded and prophetic,” said Robin Jensen of the Vanderbilt University Divinity School. “It’s hardly the words of someone who is submissive,” she said according to Vanderbilt news service.
Jensen, who teaches a popular course on Mary, has organized a Mary conference that will take place on April 13 and 14.
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The conference is titled, “The Virgin Mary in Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant Traditions,” will be held at the university and two Nashville, Tenn. churches.
Three distinguished experts on Mary will speak: Vasiliki Limberis, associate professor of ancient Christianity at Temple University; Anne L. Clark, associate professor of religion at the University of Vermont; and Beverly Roberts Gaventa, the Helen H.P. Manson Professor of New Testament Literature and Exegesis at Princeton Theological Seminary.
