We are continuing a series of episodes comparing Jesus to superheroes. This series will tackle wrong ideas about Jesus from church history in chronological order. A superhero will represent each of these ideas.

Is Jesus Like the Green Lantern?

Who is the Green Lantern?

1. There are 7200 Green Lanterns in the intergalactic corps.
2. They each have a ring that gives them their power.
3. Hal Jordan was the first human being from earth to become a Green Lantern.
4. The 2011 DC film wasn't successful.

What is Adoptionism (or Dynamic Monarchianism)?

1. Monarchianism is unitarianism--only one God Who is only one Person
2. Dynamic monarchianism allows for this divinity to change (adopt a Son).
3. Modalistic monarchianism is God manifesting in three modes.
4. Adoptionism teaches that Jesus became divine either at his baptism

Who were the early adoptionist teachers?

1. Theodotus the tanner of Byzantium (late 100's) taught that Jesus became the Christ at his baptism and became divine at his resurrection.
2. Paul of Samosata (bishop from 260-268) taught that Jesus had God indwell him from his baptism.

Questions for adoptionism:

1. Did man become the Son of God, or did the Son of God become man? (John 1:1,14; 8:58)
2. Was the Son sent to earth or adopted from the earth? (Heb 2:14; 1Jn 4:9)
3. Doesn't this deny monotheism and worship of one God? (Isa 43:10; 45:21-23; Phi 2:6-11)

What is the main problem with adoptionism?

It denies substitutionary atonement by denying the problem of original sin. (Rom 5:12; Heb 2:14; 4:15)

Sources Cited:

DC Universe Infinite, "Team Green Lantern Corps"

Scriptures Referenced:

John 1:1

John 1:14

John 8:58

Hebrews 2:14

1 John 4:9

Isaiah 43:10

Isaiah 45:21-23

Philippians 2:6-11

Romans 5:12

Hebrews 4:15

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