Mary is Jewish, Yet Never Contrary? Is This Not Puzzling? Oh, Yes. Very. Submissive, silenced story characters as instruments of imperialist propaganda,

• In Event: Bible & Biblical Interpretation

Abstract

I. What I ask: What have been effects of the New Testament character Mary on Christian perceptions of Jews? How do these relate to Roman colonialist struggles with the natives in occupied Israel? What elements of the Mary story line can we trace in the form of lasting effects of Roman and Christian history?

II. Sources and methods that I will use:
Sources:
1. New Testament stories.
2. Rhetoric, stories, artworks, and scholarship throughout Christian history.
3. Jewish Scripture. Josephus. Philo. Talmud references showing traditions about women prophets and other women of authority.

B. Methods:
1. I analyze this as a subject in mass communication, with a focus on effects of mass communication “messages” on diverse mass audiences, and the ways in which those effects are achieved.
1. I use information about people experiencing effects of stories and images of Mary.
3. Analysis of certain specific Greek and Hebrew terms.

III. How I will make my argument:

Mary is an anomalous character. A scene in John clearly indicates that she is not Jewish, by giving her a sister with the same name, Mary (Maria), in conformity to a Roman custom. Mary’s communication behavior and actions confirm a non-Jewish ethnic identity for her. She models a Greco-Roman mode of submissive behavior as any author or real-life oppressor might prescribe for a subordinate person without resources, a person easily silenced.

I analyze Mary’s communication behavior in the New Testament stories, to explore possible effects on Christian experiences of their story and Christians’ effects, in turn, on Jewish populations vulnerable to Christian conduct. New Testament stories about Mary fit into a Roman pattern that glorifies popular submissiveness and vilifies rebellious, independence-minded subjects, especially Jews, by disparaging any orientation toward action that might in any way be rebellious toward Roman power.

Author

• Susan Kray, Indiana State University