Irenaeus seems to argue from sacramental realism to Christological realism. In other words, because the sacraments are real, Christ’s human body was real. He argues this way against Marcion: “Moreover, how could the Lord, with any justice, if He belonged to another father, have acknowledged the bread to be His body, while He took it from that creation to which we belong, and affirmed the mixed cup to be His blood?” (Against Heresies, IV.23).
Irenaeus on Sacramental Realism
17
Apr
