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

Messages and Essays on the Odes of Solomon

Medical Substitutionary Atonement in the Odes of Solomon

An introduction to the Odes and an examination of three of the Odes (11, 15, 17) which have a special bearing on atonement theology. 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.

Reflections on the Odes of Solomon

Notes and reflections on all 42 Odes (in progress)

More Resources on the Odes of Solomon

Glen Clary, Hughes Oliphant Old Describes the Earliest Christian Hymnal (Reformed Forum, Apr 20, 2016)

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.