Προοικονοµία in Melito

Abstract

Melito’s presupposition that Israel should have been able to recognize the Christ has drawn him much criticism. This essay explores the identity of Melito’s Israel and the rhetorical trope that Melito employs: censure of Israel. Melito’s understanding of the continuity between the “old” and “new” remains underexplored in the significance of its claim. Melito has a profound insight in his interpretative key for the relationship of the old covenant with respect to the new, namely that God made prior arrangements (προοικονοµία) for Christ’s sufferings in the Old Testament. Finally, the essay will examine Melito’s οἰκονοµία. In short, the προοικονοµία provides an early Christian account to describe the manner in which the mysteries of the life of Christ (οἰκονοµία) could be hidden beforehand (προ-) by God in the life and history of the people of Israel and made manifest in the Easter celebration. Melito therefore develops a truly mystagogical exegesis.