The spelling of the word "Theodotian" is derived from its Greek origin, meaning "gift of God". It is pronounced /θiːəʊˈdəʊʃən/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with the stress placed on the third syllable. The "th" sound is represented by the digraph "th", and the phoneme /d/ is spelled with the letter "d". The long "o" sound is represented by the digraph "eo", and the letter "i" represents the short "i" sound. The second syllable begins with a schwa sound, represented by the upside-down "e" symbol in IPA.
Theodotian primarily refers to anything related to or originating from Theodotus of Byzantium, an influential theologian in the early Christian era. Theodotian is commonly used as an adjective, describing the specific theological views or concepts attributed to Theodotus. The term can also refer to his followers or those who adhere to his teachings.
In theological context, Theodotian signifies a particular school of thought that predominantly emphasizes the humanity of Jesus Christ over his divinity. Theodotus argued that Jesus was an ordinary man who became divine after his baptism, rejecting the widely accepted doctrine of his preexistence and eternal divinity. Theodotian theology posits that the divine nature, or the "Logos," entered Jesus at baptism and left him before his crucifixion, thereby separating the divine from the human nature.
Theodotian principles have had a lasting impact on Christology, specifically within the realm of the nature of Jesus Christ. Scholars often discuss Theodotianism as a distinct sect or heresy within early Christianity, representing a departure from mainstream orthodox beliefs.
Outside of theology, the term Theodotian may refer to any person, idea, or concept associated with Theodotus of Byzantium or his theological views. It captures the essence of a particular theological perspective that challenges the traditional understanding of Jesus Christ's nature, highlighting the importance of historical figures and their contributions to religious thought.
The word "Theodotian" is derived from the name "Theodotus", which has Greek origins. In Greek, "Theodotus" (Θεoδότος) is a combination of "theo" (θεός), meaning "god", and "dotos" (δοτός), meaning "given". Therefore, the name "Theodotus" can be translated as "given by God" or "gift of God". "Theodotian" is used to refer to something or someone related to Theodotus or Theodotianism, a 2nd-century Christian sect founded by Theodotus of Byzantium, who denied the divinity of Jesus Christ.