Encyclopedia > Adoptionism

Article Content

Adoptionism

Adoptionism is a view held by some early Christians that Christ was born a human only, and was not divine until his baptism, at which point he was adopted as the Son by God the Father.

It is one of two main forms of monarchianism; the other is modalism. Adoptionism was an early attempt to explain the relationship between Jesus Christ and God the Father, while maintaining Christianity's monotheism. It differs significantly from the doctrine of the Trinity that was later adopted by the ecumenical councils.

Featured Article

History of the Americas

... that crossed the frozen Bering Strait sometime around 20,000 BC. These tribes quickly spread out, reaching Cape Horn roughly 10,000 years later. Although several large, ...