Immanuel Walch, have defended adoptionism as essentially orthodox. Modern adoptionist groups A form of adoptionism surfaced in Unitarianism during the 18th century as 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 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 and 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) to be able to truly fulfill his Messianic role. Strang claimed that the earthly Christ was in essence "adopted" as God's son at birth, and fully revealed as such during the Transfiguration. 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 and ascension. See also Adoptivi Arianism Binitarianism Notes References Sources Printed sources Philip Schaff History of the Christian Church, Volume IV, 1882. (6th German edition, translated by George Ogg) Web sources External links Adoptionism in Catholic Encyclopedia Adoptionism in Christian Cyclopedia Chapter XI. Doctrinal Controversies, from Philip Schaff's History of the Christian Church Nontrinitarianism Christian terminology Heresy in ancient Christianity Adoption and religion Nature of Jesus Christ