Abstract

Manfred Hauke:
Mary as the „new Eve” in the teaching of St. Irenaeus
(FKTh 2023-4, p. 270–282)

At the center of St. Irenaeus’ theology is the recapitulation of Adam in Jesus Christ, who returns humanity, fallen into sin, to its paradisiacal origin and completes it. Closely connected to this is the “return cycle” (recirculation) from Mary to Eve: the Virgin Mary, through her faith and obedience, unties the “knot” that tied Eve. Mary is thereby intimately connected with the Church, whose spiritual motherhood she prefigures in the virgin birth.