Jonathan Edwards’ Reflections on the Virgin Mary

Stephen J. Stein focuses on Jonthan Edwards’ treatment of a figure in the New Testament, the Virgin Mary. He highlights a striking irony in Edwards’ exegesis by juxtaposing his steady criticism of the Roman Catholic Church against his high praise of Mary. Stein’s essay is driven by immersion in Edwards’ biblical notebooks, which gives readers a taste of Edwards’ engagement with the Bible and his subsequent theological development from that exegesis. Stein especially highlights how Edwards linked the Virgin Mary to the life of Jesus Christ and the larger story of salvation. Although this question clearly centers on the New Testament, Edwards brings Old Testament passages to bear on it, which illustrates his canonical approach to interpreting Scripture.