The view, that Christ was not by nature divine but was…
““The view, that Christ was not by nature divine but was adopted to be God’s son, emerged not out of Jewish Christianity, but from purely gentile stock. This was a group known as the Theodotians, named after their founder, a shoemaker, who happened also to be an amateur theologian, named Theodotus. Since they were centered in Rome, scholars sometimes refer to this group as the Roman Adoptionists.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Adoptionist belief that Jesus became divine through adoption, not by nature, originated among Gentile Romans, not Jews.
In simple terms: Some early Christians thought Jesus was made divine later, a view from Roman Gentiles.
Key Takeaway
Recognize diverse early Christian doctrines.
Themes
theology
history
Christology
diversity
early church
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
Type
historical
theological
When to use this quote
- academic study
- religious education
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
adoptionism
Christology
historical development
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this view reveal about early Christian identity?
- How might this belief affect modern theology?
A Different Perspective
Historical evidence for adoptionism is limited and contested.