Gary said:
Ark of the Covenant analogy to Mary
Irenaeus
Roman Catholic apologists often claim that the ark of the covenant in the Old Testament is a type of Mary. They then use that typological speculation as an argument for doctrines such as the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption of Mary. But Irenaeus saw something else in the ark:
so is that ark declared a type of the body of Christ, which is both pure and immaculate. For as that ark was gilded with pure gold both within and without, so also is the body of Christ pure and resplendent, being adorned within by the Word, and shielded on the outside by the Spirit, in order that from both materials the splendour of the natures might be exhibited together." (Fragments from the Lost Writings of Irenaeus, 48)
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Victorinus
Roman Catholics often speculate that the ark in Revelation 11:19 is referring to Mary, and that the passage is therefore referring to a bodily assumption of Mary. It can't be proven that the ark is Mary, and, even if the ark is identified as her, there's no way to determine whether it represents Mary's bodily presence in Heaven or just her soul. Victorinus, commenting on the passage, sees the ark as representing the blessings Jesus brought to mankind. He tells us that the temple is Jesus, meaning that the ark is within Jesus. Roman Catholics make the opposite argument, claiming that the ark, as Mary, carries Jesus.
'And the temple of God was opened which is in heaven.' The temple opened is a manifestation of our Lord. For the temple of God is the Son, as He Himself says: 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.' And when the Jews said, 'Forty and six years was this temple in building,' the evangelist says, 'He spake of the temple of His body.' 'And there was seen in His temple the ark of the Lord's testament.' The preaching of the Gospel and the forgiveness of sins, and all the gifts whatever that came with Him, he says, appeared therein." (Commentary on the Apocalypse of the Blessed John, 11:19)
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Hippolytus
Hippolytus also saw Jesus rather than Mary in the ark. He mentions Mary as he's describing Jesus as the ark, so it can't be argued that he wasn't thinking of Mary at the time:
"At that time, then, the Saviour appeared and showed His own body to the world, born of the Virgin, who was the 'ark overlaid with pure gold,' with the Word within and the Holy Spirit without; so that the truth is demonstrated, and the 'ark' made manifest....the Saviour appeared in the world, bearing the imperishable ark, His own body" (On Daniel, 2:6)
Thanks for bringing up Hippolatus he also says:
"Now the Lord was without sin, being in His human nature from incorruptible wood, that is, from the Virgin..." (Fragment of St. Hippolytus, quoted by Theodoret, Dialogue I, P. G. 10, 864-5).
This implies Mary as the Ark as well. That is what "incorruptible wood" is about. That is what the Ark was made of. This happens to be from a commentary on Rev 11.
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Want more? What did Augustine say about the issue?
Oh yes, please. Give me more. More of your dichotomies.
There is a quote somewhere by Augustine that alludes to his relating the Ark of the Covenant to Mary. I believe it has to do with Psalm 132:8. I can't find it online, though I see quotes on websites indicating that Augustine associated Mary with the AOC. I but believe it is in a book I have at home.
What does the RCC's real Bible, the CCC, say about the Ark of the Covenant analogy to Mary?
:-? :-?
Why not quote the Catechism. You have it available. Do you claim it only says Mary or only says Christ is the AOC? Don't play silly games with me.
So you have answered my question. There is no parrellel you say to Mary and the Ark. And in the process you have raised red herrings as well with false dichotomies. Protestants love to think in dichotomies Gary. Tell me who is the light of the world?
John.8
[12] Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Oh, it is Christ, it can be noone else. But does Matthew contradict?
Matt.5
[14] "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.
No it is simply a false dichotomy if one sees a contradiction.
Who is the foundation of the Church? We are clearly told it is Christ in 1 Cor 3:11. Oh, but wait, it is prophets and apostles and Christ is the cornerstone in Eph 2:20. My what will Gary do? The Bible contradicts.
No it is only Gary's poor logic. You really do need a course in logic Gary. That Augustine and others asserted that the Ark is a type of Christ in no way excludes it from being anyone else. You simply show your ameturish understanding of Catholic theology. Other Fathers did see Mary as the Ark.
*For example: St. Athanasius:
"O noble Virgin, truly you are greater than any other greatness. For who is your equal in greatness, O dwelling place of God the Word? To whom among all creatures shall I compare you, O Virgin? You are greater than them all O Covenant, clothed with purity instead of gold! You are the Ark in which is found the golden vessel containing the true manna, that is, the flesh in which divinity resides."
Gregory of Neo-Caesarea (3rd Century) quotes Psalm 132 as referring to Mary: "Arise O Lord to Thy resting place; Thou and the ark of Thy sanctification" (Psalm 132:8). In this regard, he said, "For the holy Virgin is in truth an ark, wrought with gold both within and without (Exodus 25:10-11, 37:1-2), that has received the whole treasury of the sanctuary" (Homily I on the Annunciation).
This in no way is contradictory to Augustines view that the Ark was a type of Christ. Nor is there any reason to believe that Gregory and Athanasius did not see the Ark as a type of Christ.
