Son of Mary: The Family of Jesus and the Community of Faith in the Fourth Gospel (Australian College of Theology Monograph)

Son of Mary offers new solutions to some persistent exegetical problems in the interpretation of three of the most puzzling passages in the Gospel of John and does so in a way that illuminates the social-cultural context to the New Testament world. Old Testament resonances are heard here afresh: The miracle at Cana is seen in the light of Gods people living without the wine of Gods blessing and Jesus interaction with his brothers is placed alongside the story of Joseph. Margaret Wesley explores the world of kinship relationships in First Century Palestine discovering how an understanding of family expectations and obligations can illuminate Jesus words and actions and guide our relationships within the church as sisters and brothers of one another and as daughters and sons of God. The life death and resurrection of Jesus are understood in a fresh way as the creation of a new family. Margaret demonstrates a mastery of current research while drawing on a wide range of primary patristic sources. She shows a respectful yet firm and assertive spirit when dealing with controversy. Son of Mary makes an important contribution to our understanding of kinship relationships in Jesus family. Employing a socio-rhetorical approach [Wesley] describes the make up Jesus family and provides a helpful discussion of natural and fictive families . . . She throws new light upon troublesome passages in Johns Gospel that recount Jesus interactions with his mother and brothers. This is a fine book and will greatly reward those who read it. --Colin Kruse Senior Lecturer in New Testament Melbourne School of Theology In Son of Mary Wesley has effectively drawn on socio-historical scholarship Patristic perspectives modern biblical scholarship and her own careful study of the Fourth Gospel. By so doing she has helped her own readers to be more nearly ideal readers of the Fourth Gospel. She has also succeeded in casting fresh light on the understanding of the church as family. --Brian Powell Former Lecturer in Systematic Theology and New Testament Morling College Margarets careful scholarship engaging style and significant conclusions make this book an invaluable contribution to understanding Jesus relationship to his earthly family and the implications for his Family the Church. A thought-provoking stimulating and encouraging book. --Jackie Stoneman Director of Studies Mary Andrews College Sydney Margaret Wesley taught theology at Mary Andrews College in Sydney Australia for seven years before moving to China with her family in 2014. She is the editor of Loss and Discovery.