In the Chapter of Mary (Surat Maryam), Zechariah/Zakariyya foreshadows the coming of Maryam. I sit down with Maria Barga to discuss her article “Redeeming Zachariah” which uses the Qur’an to understand the Biblical narrative and to argue that Zachariah should be seen more in a positive light. Along the way, we discuss issues related to silence, suffering and divine questioning.
Maria Barga is Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at University of the Saint Mary of the Lake. Her degrees include B.A., classical archeology, French and Spanish, Mercer University, Macon, GA; Ph.D., M.Phil. and M.A., Biblical Studies, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC. Prior appointments include assistant professor at the Pontifical College Josephinum, lecturer at Bowie State University, and affiliate faculty at Loyola University Maryland. As a graduate student, she taught in the School of Theology and Religious Studies at The Catholic University of America. Recent works include “Redeeming Zechariah: Silence as Mercy in Luke 1 and Q. 3 and Q. 19” in Routledge’s Reading the Bible in Islamic Context and a co-authored chapter (“My/Our Servant Job: Creation and Temptation as a Guide to Understanding Job as God’s Servant”) in Brill’s Companion to Comparative Theology.
Subscribe to A Common Word podcast which is available on the major podcast streaming services, such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Order my book “The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries”
Visit the Maydan website for more podcasts, blogs and videos.
Visit my website to learn more about my bio, research, and blogs.
Join my listserve to be updated about my research, speaking and publications, especially my forthcoming book on the Islamic Mary.
Thanks for listening to A Common Word Podcast!
