What is the belief of Dynamic Monarchianism?

Definition and Overview

Dynamic Monarchianism, often linked with early forms of Adoptionism, teaches that Jesus was a mere human until God’s “power” (Greek: dynamis) descended upon Him at a certain point—commonly taught as His baptism—thereby making Him the Son of God. This belief stresses the singular monarchy (rule) of God the Father and views the Son as a man uniquely indwelt with divine power rather than as eternally God. Proponents of this position sought to protect the oneness of God but did so by denying the eternal preexistence and full deity of Jesus.

Historical Development

This view emerged in the late second and early third centuries, primarily associated with figures such as Theodotus of Byzantium and Paul of Samosata. The label “Dynamic Monarchianism” was employed because these teachers insisted that Jesus was empowered by God (dynamis), rather than being coeternal and consubstantial with the Father.

The broader Christian community soon recognized this teaching as contrary to the apostolic witness. Early church theologians like Hippolytus wrote at length to refute such ideas, contending that Scripture affirms both the Father’s oneness and the Son’s full deity (cf. Hippolytus, “Refutation of All Heresies,” Book 9). Over time, church councils confirmed that the biblical text teaches Christ’s eternal existence, culminating in the Council of Nicaea (AD 325), which countered all denials of Christ’s full divinity.

Key Teachings of Dynamic Monarchianism

1. Jesus as a Mere Man: Advocates saw Jesus as entirely human until God anointed Him with divine power.

2. A Special Empowering: God’s “dynamic” presence singled Jesus out from all other prophets and righteous individuals, yet this presence did not grant Jesus eternal divinity.

3. Upholding a Strict Monotheism: Desiring to avoid anything perceived as worshiping more than one God, Dynamic Monarchians placed exclusive stress on the Father’s supremacy and rejected the Son’s coeternal existence.

Comparison with Modalistic Monarchianism

Dynamic Monarchianism is often contrasted with Modalistic Monarchianism (also called Sabellianism). While both emphasize the one-person nature of God, Modalists say the Father, Son, and Spirit are roles or modes of one divine Person. Dynamic Monarchians, on the other hand, say that the Son was not truly God by nature but was adopted or endowed with God’s power.

Scriptural Challenges

1. John 1:1, 14: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” This passage establishes the Son’s eternal preexistence, contradicting the Adoptionist claim that Jesus began His divine role at a later point.

2. John 20:28: “Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’” The designation “My God” underscores that Jesus was acknowledged as fully divine, not merely a human imbued with power.

3. Colossians 2:9: “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form.” This verse affirms Christ’s entire divine nature and does not lend itself to the notion of a merely human Christ upon whom God’s power descended.

4. Hebrews 1:2–3: Teaches that the Son is “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature.” It is not a temporary or adopted status, but inherent to Him.

Patristic Rejection of Dynamic Monarchianism

Early Christian leaders argued vehemently against Adoptionist ideas. Tertullian, in works like “Against Praxeas,” emphasized that the Son coexists eternally with the Father. Hippolytus and others refuted the notion that Jesus became divine only after a point in time. Councils consistently rejected any teaching that demoted Christ to a mere instrument of the Father’s power rather than affirming His coeternal deity.

Theological Implications

1. Nature of Christ: Dynamic Monarchianism undermines the doctrine of the hypostatic union, which proclaims Christ as fully God and fully man throughout His earthly ministry.

2. Atonement and Salvation: A merely human Jesus could not atone for the sins of humanity (see Hebrews 10:10–12). Only a divine Savior can accomplish the eternal redemption Scripture describes.

3. Worship: Scripture records worship offered to Jesus (cf. Matthew 14:33; John 9:38). Underlying this is the belief in Christ’s deity, which would be idolatrous if He were not truly God.

Relevant Church Writings and Archaeological Evidence

• Fragments of writings from early church fathers (e.g., fragments identified in the papyri of Tertullian’s treatises) illustrate a robust defense of Christ’s eternal deity.

• Archaeological finds, like inscriptions and early Christian tombs, often contain doxologies to both the Father and the Son, reflecting an established practice of worshiping Christ from the earliest centuries.

• Early liturgical documents also demonstrate that baptism was performed in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, acknowledging the Son as part of the Triune testimony of faith.

Conclusion

Dynamic Monarchianism, or Adoptionism, proposes that Jesus was an ordinary man who received divine power at a certain point. This view arose in attempts to protect the unity of God but fails to account for the clear biblical witness that Christ is eternally God. Scripture, the early church fathers, and historical Christian worship stand as enduring testimonies that Jesus was not merely adopted by the Father but eternally shares in the divine nature with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Such a foundation underpins the historic Christian faith, grounded in the belief that the fully divine Christ alone can redeem humanity and is worthy of our worship.