fish-hook theory

proper noun

A Christus Victor theory of atonement associated with Gregory of Nyssa, in which Satan is tricked into accepting Christ's humanity as ransom, thereby being caught by his divinity.

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Meanings

proper noun
  1. ChristianityA Christus Victor theory of atonement associated with Gregory of Nyssa, in which Satan is tricked into accepting Christ's humanity as ransom, thereby being caught by his divinity.

Origin

From the metaphor of a fishhook: the deity of Christ (the "hook") hidden within his humanity (the "bait"), which Satan accepts as ransom for humanity.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

fish-hook theory. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fish-hook%20theory

MLA

“fish-hook theory.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fish-hook%20theory. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “fish-hook theory,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fish-hook%20theory.

Source: fish-hook theory on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.