Adoptianism is a Christian theological belief that originated in the 8th century. It holds that Jesus was not divine from his birth, but instead became divine when God "adopted" him as his son. The word "Adoptianism" is spelled phonetically as /əˈdɒptɪənɪz(ə)m/, with emphasis on the second syllable. The "a" is pronounced as in "apple", the "o" as in "hot", and the "i" as in "bit". The final three letters are pronounced as "shun", like in the word "question".
Adoptianism, also known as dynamic monarchianism or adoptionism, is a theological belief that emerged in the early Christian Church during the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. It is primarily associated with the controversy surrounding the nature of Jesus Christ and his relationship to God the Father.
In essence, Adoptianism posits that Jesus was not inherently divine but was instead a human being who was "adopted" or chosen by God to become his Son. This concept suggests that Jesus became divine through a special anointing or "adoption" at his baptism or at some point during his earthly ministry. According to this belief, Jesus' divine status was not intrinsic but acquired.
Adoptianism stands in contrast to other prevalent Christological understandings at the time, such as Arianism and Trinitarianism, which affirmed Jesus' pre-existence and his co-equal nature with God the Father. Instead, Adoptianism places a greater emphasis on Jesus' humanity and his role as a chosen vessel for God's purposes on earth.
The adoptionist viewpoint was condemned as a heresy by various Church councils and influential theologians, as it challenged the traditional understanding of the Trinity, the deity of Christ, and the orthodox understanding of Jesus as both fully divine and fully human. Nonetheless, it has remained a topic of interest for theological scholars and historians, as it played a significant role in shaping early Christian discussions on the nature of Christ.
The word "Adoptianism" is derived from the term "Adoptionism". "Adoptionism" originated from the Latin verb "adoptāre", which means "to adopt". It refers to a theological controversy related to the nature of Jesus Christ in Christianity. "Adoptionism" suggests the belief that Jesus Christ was initially an ordinary human being who was adopted by God as His son and granted divine status later in his life.