The St. Paul Center has launched an important new initiative aimed at advancing the way the Bible is studied in seminaries and universities.

"The Letter & Spirit Project" will publish books on key biblical themes view from literary, historical, and theological perspectives.

The first book in the series is now available - Dr. Edward Sri's, The Queen Mother: A Biblical Theology of Mary's Queenship. The book explores the “queen mother” idea in the Old and New Testaments, comparing it to the literature of other ancient near eastern peoples.

"Just as the queen mother in the Davidic dynasty held the highest position of honor and influence, second only to the king, so too does Mary as the new queen mother hold a preeminent position in the new kingdom, second only to Christ," Dr. Sri contends.

The queen mother tradition also sheds light on Mary's role as heavenly intercessor: "Just like the queen mother of the Davidic kingdom...she is the most powerful intercessor in Christ's kingdom and is able to take our needs to the throne of her Son."

An Assistant Professor of Theology at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, Dr. Sri received his Doctorate from the Angelicum, the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, in Rome. The Queen Mother is based on his doctoral dissertation.

In a foreword to the book, Center founder, Dr. Scott Hahn, calls it a "majestic study...a biblical theology that integrates such seemingly diffuse and disparate fields as dogma, exegesis, and liturgy."

Queen Mother can be ordered for $15 from Emmaus Road Publishing. Call Emmaus toll-free  for more information. (800) 398-5470.

Praise for The Queen Mother:

"This book intelligently deepens one's devotion to Mary, the Queen of Heaven, the Mother of Jesus, and the Mother of the Church."
     - Father Joseph Henchey, CSS,
       Professor Emeritus, Pontifical North American College, Rome

"Sri's scriptural examination of Mary's queenship in light of the Davidic kingdom tradition is a welcome antidote against frequent unidimensional historical reductions of Mary's person and role. It opens a much needed eschatological perspective not only on her but also on human life. Mary is not a shadowy figure frozen in the distant past but the "eschatological icon" of salvation history both in her own fulfillment and as experienced guide for the many on their pilgrimage of faith. Sri situates Mary's queenship within the progressive historical realization of God's kingdom among us. He aptly presents her active and permanent presence in salvation history as exalted service and humble leadership under the auspices of her Son, Christ the King and Suffering Servant."
     - Rev. Johann G. Roten, SM
       Director, International Marian Research Institute, University of Dayton

"The biblical Queen-Mother tradition is of paramount importance for our contemporary understanding of Our Lady's dynamic role as spiritual Queen and Advocate for all humanity. Edward Sri has produced an outstanding synthesis of this gebirah or 'great lady' biblical revelation."
     - Dr. Mark Miravalle
       Professor of Theology, Franciscan University of Steubenville