Adoptionism

Submitted to: Nolasco Gavilan

Submitted by: Bill Acha
 Adoption is an important theological theme in the Bible, but it has to do with Christians
becoming a part of God’s family through Jesus. It is we who are adopted through Christ, not
Jesus who was adopted. According to Colossians 1:16–17 says, "For by him all things were
created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or
authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in
him all things hold together."

What is adoptionism?
Adoptionism is disproved in the first few words of John’s gospel. John equates Jesus with “the
Word of God” and says Jesus was “at the beginning with God.” In fact, “all things were made
through him,” and “in him was life and the life was the light of men”. Is an important theological
theme in the Bible, but it has to do with Christians becoming a part of God's family through
Jesus. It is we who are adopted through Christ, not Jesus who was adopted. Adoptionism is a
heresy asserting that God adopted Jesus as His Son because Jesus was living a sinless life. This
false belief is also called dynamic Monarchianism and came on the scene early; the church
declared adoptionism to be heretical in the second century.

The reassertion of Nestorianism raised a storm of protest from Catholics, headed by

Beatus, Abbot of Libana, and Etherius, Bishop of Osma. If that offspring of Nestorianism held
sway in Spain for well-nigh two decades and even made an inroad into southern France,
the true cause is to be found in Islamitic rule, which practically brought to naught the control
of Rome over the greater part of Spain; and in the over-conciliatory attitude of Charlemagne,
who, in spite of his whole-souled loyalty to the Roman Faith, could ill afford to alienate
politically provinces so dearly bought.

Reflection about adoptionism?

So when I began to settle into a different mindset, to begin to give thanks for the great
weather we had, for the volunteer turnout, that the day had gone smoothly, my attitude
began to shift. As a group, we began reflecting on the volunteer experience of th e day. We
had a family of three volunteer, a mom, dad, and their 10-year-old daughter. Their daughter
had been adopted at birth, and was eager to share her personal experience with adoption.
The three of them reached over thirty places and were so kind to share their story. We also
had a group of college students home for Thanksgiving break. A few high schools students
showed up to volunteer as well, to canvass the South Grand neighborhood. When they came
back from volunteering and had some lunch, they asked if they could have another
neighborhood to bring flyers to, as they weren’t ready to be done volunteering! We were so
blown away by their willingness to serve even more, and then we discovered that they
weren’t in need of service hours or a project, they had just come out to help. As I was
reflecting over this, I gave thanks for the truly wonderful people I had met – all former
strangers – who had heard about our adoption awareness day online or through their school
and had come out to help.