What did adoptionism teach about Jesus' relationship to God?

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Adoptionism is a theological doctrine—historically classified as a heresy—which posits that Jesus of Nazareth became the Son of God by adoption rather than by nature.12

This teaching appeared in two primary forms:

  • Early Adoptionism (2nd–3rd centuries): Also known as Dynamic Monarchianism, this view suggested that Jesus was a human who was "adopted" by God, often associated with the moment of his baptism.13
  • 8th-Century Spanish Adoptionism: Led by Elipandus, archbishop of Toledo, this movement sought to distinguish between Christ’s two natures. It taught that while Christ was the Son of God by nature in his divinity, he was only an "adopted son" in his humanity.1

The church rejected these views, maintaining that Christ is the Son of God by nature. The doctrine was condemned by several popes, including Adrian I and Leo III, and was largely abandoned after the 8th century, despite a brief revival by Peter Abelard in the 12th century.1