Editing Adoptionism (section)

=== Spanish Adoptionism ===
{{main|Spanish Adoptionism}}
Iberian Adoptionism was a theological position which was articulated in [[Caliphate of Córdoba|Umayyad]] and [[Kingdom of Asturias|Christian]]-held regions of the [[Iberian Peninsula]] in the 8th and 9th centuries. The issue seems to have begun with the claim of archbishop [[Elipandus of Toledo]] that – in respect to his human nature – Christ was ''adoptive'' Son of God. Another leading advocate of this Christology was [[Felix of Urgel]]. In the Iberian peninsula, adoptionism was opposed by [[Beatus of Liebana]], and in the [[Carolingian]] territories, the Adoptionist position was condemned by [[Pope Hadrian I]], [[Alcuin of York]], [[Agobard]], and officially in Carolingian territory by the Council of Frankfurt (794).

Despite the shared name of "adoptionism" the Spanish Adoptionist Christology appears to have differed sharply from the adoptionism of early Christianity. Spanish advocates predicated the term {{lang|la|adoptivus}} of Christ only in respect to his humanity; once the divine Son "emptied himself" of divinity and "took the form of a servant" (Philippians 2:7),<ref>{{bibleverse|Philippians|2:7}}</ref> Christ's human nature was "adopted" as divine.<ref>James Ginther, ''Westminster Handbook to Medieval Theology'', (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009), 3.</ref>

Historically, many scholars have followed the Adoptionists' Carolingian opponents in labeling Spanish Adoptionism as a minor revival of "[[Nestorianism|Nestorian]]" Christology.<ref>For an example of this characterization, see Adolph Harnack, ''History of Dogma'', vol. 5, trans. Neil Buchanan, (New York: Dover, 1961), 280.</ref> John C. Cavadini has challenged this notion by attempting to take the Spanish Christology in its own Spanish/North African context in his study, ''The Last Christology of the West: Adoptionism in Spain and Gaul, 785–820''.<ref>John C. Cavadini, ''The Last Christology of the West: Adoptionism in Spain and Gaul, 785–820'', (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1993), 4–5.</ref>