Reasoning steps: Atonement models beyond the core

Verdicts: T6 · Atonement models beyond the core. Shared notes and post-750 development: atonement.

T06.1 (was atonement/A1): Ransom and Christus Victor

Step T06.1.1: Scripture

Mark 10:45 (λύτρον ἀντὶ πολλῶν); Col 2:15; Heb 2:14–15; 1 John 3:8. Scripture never names a recipient of the ransom.

Step T06.1.2: Patristic evidence

irenaeus-atn-s2, irenaeus-atn-s3, gregory-of-nyssa-atn-s1, gregory-nazianzen-atn-s1, augustine-atn-s1, diognetus-atn-s1.

Step T06.1.3: Weighing decision

Reading A: the fathers teach a ransom paid to the devil. Reading B: victory over the devil and death is a pervasive theme, while the recipient question is disputed. B is chosen. Gregory of Nyssa’s devil-ransom is rebutted by his contemporary Gregory Nazianzen, so A is not a consensus.

• Confidence: High (victory) / low (devil-ransom)

Step T06.1.4: Source-proximity weighing

See the proximity tiers.

• Scripture (benchmark): Col 2:15; Heb 2:14–15; 1 John 3:8. (Scripture confidence: medium)
• Key sources by tier: Irenaeus (T2, w 0.8); Gregory of Nyssa (T3, w 0.6); Gregory Nazianzen (T3, w 0.6). Proximity factor: 0.667 (mean tier weight of 3 key source(s)).
• Assessment: Victory over the devil has T2 support (Irenaeus) and Scripture support (Col 2:15). The devil-ransom details are T3 and disputed. Verdict unchanged.

T06.2 (was atonement/A2): Recapitulation

Step T06.2.1: Scripture

Eph 1:10 (ἀνακεφαλαιώσασθαι); Rom 5:12–21; 1 Cor 15:22, 45.

Step T06.2.2: Patristic evidence

irenaeus-atn-s1, irenaeus-atn-s3, athanasius-atn-s1.

Step T06.2.3: Weighing decision

Recapitulation is a framework, not a rival theory. Irenaeus’s recapitulation includes victory and obedience. It is foundational in the Greek tradition.

• Confidence: High

Step T06.2.4: Source-proximity weighing

See the proximity tiers.

• Scripture (benchmark): Eph 1:10; Rom 5:12–21; 1 Cor 15:22, 45. (Scripture confidence: medium)
• Key sources by tier: Irenaeus (T2, w 0.8); Irenaeus (T2, w 0.8). Proximity factor: 0.8 (mean tier weight of 2 key source(s)).
• Assessment: T2 (Irenaeus) and Scripture (Eph 1:10; Rom 5). Verdict unchanged.