Thomas Gaston - Dynamic Monarchianism: The Earliest Christology

In this presentation from the 2024 UCA UK International Conference, Thomas Gaston argues that ancient Dynamic Monarchians held that Jesus was a miraculously conceived man who, after his resurrection, ascended to heaven and to divine authority, as opposed to being an eternal divine Person who became human. Far from being a phenomenon that appeared only in isolated cases in the third century, Dynamic Monarchianism was a tradition that existed from the earliest days of Christianity and was part of the Christian mainstream until the emergence of newer Christologies led to it being regarded as heretical.
Thomas Gaston holds a Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Oxford, a Masters in the History of Christianity from the University of Birmingham, and a degree in Philosophy from the University of Warwick. He specializes in historical Christology, early Christianity, and biblical interpretation. He is also the author of Historical Issues in the Book of Daniel (Paternoster, 2016) and many articles on Christian theology and history which have appeared in academic journals. Gaston is a member of the Society of Christian Philosophers and is a senior manager at Wiley. He lives in the United Kingdom.

[@Gashinshoutan2009]

A reversion to the Christianity of the original apostles understandings would be ideal. However, given how many denominations there already are in Christianity today, it's not an easy path.

[@richardtarr8145]

I'm an Adoptionist who believes in the Virgin Birth (just not insemination by a God-seed), so why am I not included as a Dynamic Monarchianist?

[@UnitarianChristianAlliance]

Typically an adoptionist is someone who denies the virgin birth. If you affirm the virgin birth, you share that in common with the dynamic monarchians Gaston identifies in his survey of early Christians.
The specific details about the miraculous origin of Jesus within Mary are another topic. (Exactly HOW God brought about the conception, for example.)

[@Mikha335]

Me too. Jesus himself said that you become the children of God at the resurrection. Paul says that the resurrection is the adoption for human beings. Obviously this this applies equally to the resurrected Messiah as well. And this doesn’t have to mean that he wasn’t the son of God in another lesser sense both at his baptism as well at his conception. For me, the virgin birth miracle was the token of his identity. The spirit filled baptism was the authoritative seal. The resurrection was the realization of the complete messianic authority. All that remains is for him to return and fulfill all the prophecies concerning his earthly rule and reign. But he will gain no higher authority than he now has at the right hand of God. It’s similar for all his disciples. At baptism the covenant is made. The Holy Spirit ratifies the covenant whereby we come into a relationship with God as his children on condition. The resurrection is the realization of the promised inheritance as sons of God, the messiah being the firstborn from the dead.
Partaking in the divine nature means you inherit the divine attribute of immortality through the resurrection from the dead.
This doctrine is from the scriptures and there is no shame in it.

[@richardtarr8145]

@@UnitarianChristianAlliance Thank you. I simply believe the words of Peter in Acts 2:30 (and the prophecies of 2 Sam 7:12 and 1 Chr 17:11) and take them VERY literally. I am enjoying reading the book.

[@andre_theist]

Joh 8:58 & Joh 20:28. This Christology is the soonest, cause it is from God Incarnate himself

[@UnitarianChristianAlliance]

The point is that your interpretation of those two passages is later than an earlier unitarian interpretation. Basically history demonstrates you are misreading the text.

[@andre_theist]

@@UnitarianChristianAlliance the interpretation you find in vers 59

[@polemeros]

Gosh, being a Christian of any kind among contemporary UUs is like being a trade unionist among Bolesheviks.

[@UnitarianChristianAlliance]

The UCA is not Unitarian Universalist, nor is Dr. Gaston who presented in this video.

[@polemeros]

@@UnitarianChristianAlliance My mistake. Lucky you. I confused you with the UU Christian Fellowship. Outsiders in what was once their "church." (The historical logic of liberalism)