An old clay oil lamp from Nazareth, Israel.  Photo credit: Olivia Armstrong.

Messages and Essays on Melito of Sardis

Medical Substitutionary Atonement in Melito of Sardis

An introduction to Melito of Sardis and his theology of atonement. This is part of Penal Substitution vs. Medical Substitution: A Historical Comparison, Mako Nagasawa’s analysis of the atonement theology (“medical substitution”) of early church theologians, including Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, the Epistle to Diognetus, the Odes of Solomon, Justin Martyr of Rome, Irenaeus of Lyons, Melito of Sardis, Tertullian of Carthage, Methodius of Olympus, Athanasius of Alexandria. Mako will continue to add to this paper to include later writers, bishops, and councils.

Other Resources on Melito of Sardis

Stephen Freeman, St. Melito and Pascha — Hell Is Not the Last Word. Glory to God for All Things, Apr 15, 2023.

Sources of Atonement Theology

These resources explore the foundation of “Medical Substitution” as the best understanding of the Bible, and the original understanding of the church. There are also links to books, web articles, etc. from representatives of the three broad Christian traditions.