Ehrman Ch.1, Question 3; Keetonia Richardson

The Jewish-Christian Adoptionists did not adopt the New Testament. They considered Paul to be an arch-heretic rather than an apostle. Therefore the canonical book used by the Adoptionists was a sacred book that they believed contained the teachings of Jesus, which is comparable to the Gospel of Matthew. The Marcionites, on the other hand, still maintained that Paul was the true apostle who delivered the truth of the gospel. Accordingly, the Marcionites followed the writings of Paul.

In the debate between divine or human, the Adoptionists believed that Jesus was simply a man who was “adopted” by God to be his son and become the savior. The Adoptionists believe that Jesus himself was not divine but just a man who lived more righteously than others. According to Marcionites, Jesus only seemed to be human. They believed that Jesus was not actually born and did not have a real body. In conclusion, the Marcionites believed that Jesus was completely divine, a phantasm, whereas the Adoptionists only considered Jesus a human who was chosen to become a sacrifice.

The Adoptionists accepted that Jesus wanted his followers to obey the entire Jewish Law and not just the Ten Commandments, with the exception of animal sacrifice. The Marcionites understood that the Jewish Law would not bring them redemption and that belief in Christ was the only way to gain salvation.

The Adoptionists and Marcionites each had their own attitude towards the God of Jewish Scripture. The Adoptionists believed in the Jewish God of retribution and punishment. The Marcionites believed that the God of Jesus was merciful and forgiving. In short, the Adoptionists believed in a God that was wrathful and unforgiving, and the Marcionites believed in a God of love and tenderness not only to his followers but to those who do them wrong.