Adoptionism
Adoptionism. The doctrine which holds that Jesus was a mere man, although blameless, and that his adoption as God's (adopted) Son occurred either at his baptism, his resurrection, or his ascension. It denies that Christ is begotten—i.e. it denies Christ's pre-existence as God's only begotten Son, prior to his incarnation as Jesus. Adoptionism is a form of monarchianism (i.e. that of one indivisible divine being). Bible verses which refute adoptionism include:
- Romans 8:3: For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh
- Galatians 4:4: But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law
Historically, adoptionism has held to the belief that Christ was adopted as God's Son at his baptism (e.g. the Ebionites). Bart Ehrman claims two forms of adoptionism, baptism-adoptionism and resurrection-adoptionism, without providing any evidence to the same.
Resurrection-adoptionism.
Romans 1:3-4: concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared [Greek horisthentos; appointed, designated, or declared] to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
It is in this event (the resurrection and ascension) that Jesus receives “the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9) and receives the universal confession that he is Lord (Philippians 2:11). This is the highlight, the definitive moment, the causal factor to the worship of Jesus in light of his identity as Lord.
Romans 10:9: because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Articles by John W. Schoenheit on the doctrine of adoptionism. Schoenheit covers this doctrine at length, from a Unitarian perspective.
References
|
