Editing Adoptionism (section)

=== Modern adoptionist groups ===
A form of adoptionism surfaced in [[Unitarianism]] during the 16th and 17th in [[Polish Brethren]] and the 18th century as [[denial of the virgin birth of Jesus|denial of the virgin birth]] became increasingly common, led by the views of [[Joseph Priestley]] and others.

A similar form of adoptionism was expressed in the writings of [[James Strang]], a [[Latter Day Saint movement|Latter Day Saint]] leader who founded the [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite)]] after the [[death of Joseph Smith]] in 1844. In his [[Book of the Law of the Lord]], a purported work of ancient scripture found and translated by Strang, he offers an essay entitled "Note on the Sacrifice of Christ" in which he explains his unique (for Mormonism as a whole) doctrines on the subject. Jesus Christ, said Strang, was the natural-born son of [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary]] and [[Saint Joseph|Joseph]], who was chosen from before all time to be the Savior of mankind, but who had to be born as an ordinary mortal of two human parents (rather than being begotten by the Father or the [[Holy Spirit in Christianity|Holy Spirit]]) to be able to truly fulfill his Messianic role.<ref>Book of the Law, pp. 157–58, note 9.</ref> Strang claimed that the earthly Christ was in essence "adopted" as God's son at birth, and fully revealed as such during the [[Transfiguration of Jesus|Transfiguration]].<ref>Book of the Law, pp. 165-66.</ref> After proving himself to God by living a perfectly sinless life, he was enabled to provide an acceptable sacrifice for the sins of men, prior to his [[Resurrection appearances of Jesus|resurrection]] and [[Ascension of Jesus Christ|ascension]].<ref>Book of the law, pp. 155-58.</ref>

[[The Christian Community]], an [[esoteric Christianity|esoteric Christian]] denomination informed by the teachings of [[Rudolf Steiner]], assumes a high adoptionist [[Christology]] that treats [[Jesus]] and [[God the Son]] as separate beings until they are joined at [[Baptism of Jesus|baptism]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The Christian Community Movement for Religious Renewal: Our Creed|url=https://www.thechristiancommunity.org/the-creed|access-date=April 2, 2023|date=April 2, 2023}}</ref> "Steiner's Christology is discussed as a central element of his thought in Johannes Hemleben, ''Rudolf Steiner: A Documentary Biography,'' trans. Leo Twyman (East Grinstead, Sussex: Henry Goulden, 1975), pp. 96-100. From the perspective of orthodox Christianity, it may be said that Steiner combined a [[Docetism|docetic]] understanding of Christ's nature with the Adoptionist heresy."<ref name="g483">{{cite book | last=Etter | first=Brian K. | title=From Classicism to Modernism | publisher=Routledge | year=2019 | orig-date=2001 | isbn=978-1-315-18576-7 | chapter=Chapter Six The New Music and the Influence of Theosophy | page=unpaginated. fn. 80}}</ref>