libterm.com Arianism is a significant early Christian heresy that denies the full divinity of Jesus Christ, asserting that He is a created being and not co-eternal with God the Father. This theological dispute shaped early Church doctrine and sparked intense debates leading to the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. Discover how Arianism influenced Christian theology and its lasting impact on religious history by reading the rest of the article.
Table of Comparison
| Aspect | Arianism | Adoptionism |
|---|---|---|
| Core Belief | Jesus as a created being, not co-eternal with God the Father | Jesus was a mere man adopted as God's Son at baptism or resurrection |
| Nature of Christ | Subordinate to God the Father; not fully divine | Initially human, later exalted to divine status |
| Historical Period | 4th century, prominent during early Christian controversy | 2nd to 8th centuries, various Christian sects and heresies |
| Theological Status | Declared heretical at the Council of Nicaea (325 AD) | Considered heresy by mainstream Christianity |
| View on Trinity | Rejects consubstantiality; Father supreme | Does not affirm Trinity; Jesus becomes Son by adoption |
| Key Proponent | Arius, Alexandrian priest | Various, including Theodotus of Byzantium |
Introduction to Arianism and Adoptionism
Arianism posits that Jesus Christ is a created being distinct from God the Father, emphasizing a hierarchical relationship within the Trinity, while Adoptionism asserts that Jesus was born human and was later adopted as God's Son, highlighting his divinity as granted rather than inherent. Both theological doctrines emerged in early Christian debates, challenging orthodox views on the nature of Christ and the Trinity. These perspectives critically shaped the development of Christological doctrine and influenced ecumenical councils such as Nicaea and Constantinople.
Historical Context and Origins
Arianism originated in the early 4th century, founded by Arius, a Alexandrian priest who argued that Christ was a created being and not co-eternal with God the Father, sparking the Arian controversy and the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. Adoptionism emerged later, primarily in the 2nd and 3rd centuries, positing that Jesus was born human and was "adopted" as God's Son at his baptism or resurrection, reflecting early Christian attempts to understand Jesus' divine status within Roman and Jewish contexts. Both heresies shaped early Christian theological debates, influencing doctrines on the nature of Christ and the Trinity.
Core Doctrines of Arianism
Arianism centers on the belief that Jesus Christ is a created being, distinct and subordinate to God the Father, rejecting the co-eternity and consubstantiality emphasized in mainstream Christianity. It asserts that the Son was not eternal and underwent a beginning, contrasting sharply with the eternal nature of the Father. This core doctrine stands in opposition to Adoptionism, which teaches that Jesus was a mere man adopted by God, whereas Arianism maintains Jesus's unique pre-human existence as a created divine entity.
Key Beliefs of Adoptionism
Adoptionism teaches that Jesus was born a mere human and was adopted as the Son of God at his baptism, emphasizing his humanity before divine adoption. This belief contrasts with Arianism, which claims Jesus is a created divine being, distinct and subordinate to God the Father. Adoptionism highlights the moment of divine selection, rejecting the eternal preexistence of Christ found in orthodox Trinitarian doctrine.
Jesus Christ: Nature and Identity Compared
Arianism asserts that Jesus Christ is a created being, distinct and subordinate to God the Father, emphasizing a hierarchical nature within the Trinity. Adoptionism posits that Jesus was born human and later adopted as the Son of God, highlighting a change in status rather than eternal divinity. Both doctrines challenge the orthodox understanding of Christ's fully divine and fully human nature, impacting the theological interpretation of Jesus' identity and role in salvation.
Scriptural Foundations for Each Belief
Arianism interprets scriptural passages such as John 14:28 ("the Father is greater than I") and Proverbs 8:22 ("The Lord created me") to argue that Jesus Christ is a created being distinct from and subordinate to God the Father. Adoptionism relies heavily on verses like Romans 1:4, which states that Jesus "was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection," implying that Jesus was adopted as God's Son at his baptism, resurrection, or ascension rather than being eternally divine. Both heresies contrast with orthodox Trinitarianism by selectively emphasizing specific biblical texts to support their views on Christ's divine status.
Major Proponents and Opponents
Arianism, chiefly advocated by Arius, a 4th-century presbyter, argued that Christ was a created being distinct from God the Father, facing strong opposition from Athanasius and the Council of Nicaea, which deemed the doctrine heretical. Adoptionism, mainly supported by Figures like Theodotus of Byzantium and later Paul of Samosata, proposed that Jesus was born human and later adopted as God's Son, a belief challenged by contemporaneous theologians such as Tertullian and against orthodox Christian doctrines established by the early Church councils. Both heresies significantly influenced Christological debates by contrasting with the established doctrine of the Trinity upheld by early Christian orthodoxy.
Church Councils and Official Responses
The First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD decisively condemned Arianism, affirming the consubstantiality of the Son with the Father as outlined in the Nicene Creed, shaping orthodox Christology. Adoptionism, while less systematically addressed in major ecumenical councils, faced condemnation from regional synods such as the Synod of Toledo in 447 AD, which reinforced the doctrine of the eternal sonship of Christ. Both heresies prompted the Church's official responses emphasizing the divinity and pre-existence of Christ, solidifying foundational Trinitarian doctrine.
Impact on Christian Theology
Arianism challenged the foundational Christian doctrine of the Trinity by asserting that Jesus Christ was a created being rather than co-eternal with God the Father, leading to major theological debates and the formulation of the Nicene Creed in 325 AD. Adoptionism, which proposed that Jesus was born human and later adopted as God's Son, influenced early Christological thought but was ultimately rejected for undermining the divine nature of Christ. Both heresies significantly shaped Christological orthodoxy by prompting the early Church to clarify the nature of Jesus' divinity and humanity.
Lasting Legacy and Modern Perspectives
Arianism, which asserted that Jesus Christ was a created being distinct from God the Father, profoundly influenced early Christian theological debates and was ultimately deemed heretical at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, yet its emphasis on Christ's subordination persists in some modern nontrinitarian sects. Adoptionism, proposing that Jesus was born human and later adopted as God's Son, found limited acceptance in early Christianity but has resurfaced in certain contemporary theological discussions challenging traditional Christology. Both doctrines contribute to ongoing scholarly analysis of early Christian diversity and the development of Christological orthodoxy in modern theological discourse.
Arianism Infographic
