Book review, Mary Jane Miller books

Book review, Mary Jane Miller by The Right Reverend William O. Gregg, Ph.D.

Mary Jane Miller is an accomplished, creative artist in several media. Over a career of over forty years, her work has always been grounded in artistic principle, immense talent, and knowledge of the medium. In her work, you meet a passionate, disciplined, unruly, compassionate woman of aesthetic insight. She is curious and insightful, with an inquiring mind that constantly explores, questions, wonders. Even argues, and engages whatever and with whomever is around. In short, you meet an extraordinary, strong, capable woman. For decades now, Mary Jane has lived in the world of icon writing and painting. Through this medium, she invites men and women to journey with her and beyond her in relationship with the Father through the Son in the Spirit. Mary Jane Miller’s In Light of Women: One Woman’s Journey with Icons, invites us into the prayerful exploration of the role of women in our world from the perspective of icons.

One of the things I like best about this text is the icons.

Deeply embedded in the classical icon-writing tradition, the artist in Mary Jane breathes new life into the ancient process. The boundaries are pushed, and sometimes crossed, but always remaining within the holy purpose of these windows into Holy Mystery. The icons transcend this world and transform us in new directions. Icons featured here are exquisite, dynamic, engaging – even provocative theologically, spiritually, and humanly.

They draw you into prayer, touch your soul, energize your will and desire for God. Unfold yourself as Holy Mystery meets you in the mystical experience of prayer. And then, they send you back into this world. You might be renewed, or transformed, understanding of God, Jesus, the Spirit, or yourself as the beloved of God. Be changed, transformed, empowered to participate in God’s mission grounded in the knowing that you dwell in Christ and Christ dwells in you.

This book, In Light of Women: One Woman’s Journey with Icons uses the voice of a faithful woman speaking to God. It is not scholarly. The style is accessible, not cluttered with technical language and concepts. It is biblically grounded. It is wonderfully Anglican, embracing Scripture, Tradition, and Reason ably and effectively. The introductory section where Miller talks about icons and the icon tradition is interesting and informative. The writing speaks directly to the reader so that it feels more like a conversation. You can hear a real voice speaking.

Reflections on Mary

The reflections on the Mary Icons of Part I are organized around a trinity of “receive, nurture, release”. This framework provides a theological lens for engaging these Marian icons that is thoughtful and challenging. Mary the woman is not merely a figure in a “painting,” but a person who speaks to us. She has something to say to each of us today in the lives we each are living. Each reflection is focused, not trying to say everything, but giving us a starting point to move into the icon, allowing it to draw us on where it will. YOU TUBE

Parts II and III move more pointedly to Miller’s focus on the voice of faithful women in Church and world. There is a powerful weaving together of what has always been tradition, but ignored or suppressed. Contemporary issues are being brought to light. The poignant theme and question; “Why should we/do we continue to allow the ‘line of silence’ in the Marian icons to marginalize women. The line across her throat imposes a discriminatory policies, practices, and attitudes on woman as God’s beloved?

The challenge of the icons to disrupt, unsettle, and invite us to re-frame our thinking, our understanding, our hearts and souls. We are transformed from the inside depths of our being out into the “new life of grace” of Baptism. The “take-away” from Mary Jane’s reflections is that the gift of icons is a prophetic word to each of us to pray, reflect, and seek. God is calling all of God’s beloved to participate in God’s mission through love and service in the world. No one, absolutely no one – and in this work, with special attention to God’s beloved women – is excluded from this invitation.

Faithful Women

The reflections on Mary Magdelene and Mary of the Dessert (Parts II & III) are poignant, offering new perspectives. The timelessness of the medium and the message is linked directly with issues of our own day, especially for women. The icon, Mary of Egypt and John the Baptist is especially strong. Mary and John speak across space and time. Mary of the Dessert is a strong character, standing in the dessert, dressed in the orange habit of the disciple. She makes a strong case for the vital, essential role of women in the world and therefore in God’s mission.

Mary Magdelene

Mary Magdalene and Christ in Holy Union are examples of Miller’s capacity to give new life to an ancient art form. It is imaginative and evocative of all kinds of possibilities. The startling passage from the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas of making Mary Magdelene “male” pointedly raises all kinds of issues. The questions found in feminist, womanist theology, and men is a discussion to which God calls us. Women create and sustain new perspectives that are still to be revealed.

This book review on Mary Jane Miller books is a carefully thought out, faithfully prayed work by a strong, faithful woman. Mary Jane Miller explains rich part of her life with Christ. Faithful women face new possibilities and relationships, inviting one’s spirit to touch one’s soul, and gives hope in one’s heart.

Book review, Mary Jane Miller books are recommended.

Bishop Gregg served as the VI Bishop of Eastern Oregon and Bishop Assistant of North Carolina. He currently resides in Salisbury, NC, is Adjunct Professor of Systematic Theology at Hood Theological Seminary (A.M.E. Zion Church), and Interim Rector of St. Thomas Church, Reidsville, NC.