The opening chapter of the Gospel of Luke establishes a connection between the Temple and Mary, the mother of Jesus. This connection is developed over the centuries by theologians, often in connection to Marian doctrines, but also in service of Christology. This research considers what the theological implications of such a typology might be—what are theologians saying about Mary, and often Jesus, when they draw a typological connection between the Temple and Mary? Furthermore, what is a feminist theologian to make of such a theological statement? Is Mary a monolithic, bland symbol or does a typological connection between the Temple and Mary make for a powerfully feminist Marian theology?
