Mary is an encouraging example of faith, for Protestants as well for Roman-Catholics and others. This book offers thorough biblical exegesis to draw the image of Mary as Jewish girl, mother of Jesus, and mother of believers. Traditions of the early church, reformers, and modern literature offer perspectives to highlight Mary as icon of grace. God’s grace shines through her and demonstrates what Church actually is. Reflection on Mary sheds light on matters of gender and sexuality, and on Christian identities such as that of Europe.

This book combines exegesis of biblical texts with analysis of theological traditions to find ways in contemporary theological questions. This theology is by definition provisional because it is the theology of people underway.