Elipandus facts for kids

A letter from 792 by Charlemagne to Elipandus about Adoptionism.

Elipandus (717–805) was an important religious leader in Spain. He lived from 717 to 805. He became the archbishop of Toledo in 782. This meant he was a very high-ranking church official. However, his ideas were later disagreed with by the Catholic Church. They called his ideas "Adoptionism."

Who Was Elipandus?

Elipandus was a theologian. This means he studied and wrote about religious ideas. We know about Elipandus from six letters he wrote. Some of these letters talked about other religious disagreements of his time. He even mentioned another bishop, Ascaric of Braga, who also argued against certain groups.

What Was Adoptionism?

Elipandus believed that Jesus was truly the Son of God. He agreed that Jesus was divine, meaning he was God. But Elipandus also taught something different about Jesus's human side. He said that Jesus, as a human, was "adopted" by God. He did not believe Jesus was "begotten" (born) as a human in the same way he was begotten as divine.

This idea seemed to separate Jesus's human nature from his divine nature. It suggested that Jesus's human side was separate from his divine person. This teaching was called Adoptionism.

Why Were His Ideas Rejected?

The Catholic Church did not agree with Elipandus's ideas. They believed that Jesus was fully God and fully human at the same time. They taught that Jesus's human nature was not separate or "adopted."

Councils Condemn Adoptionism

Elipandus's teaching was called a heresy. A heresy is a belief that goes against official church teachings. His ideas were officially rejected at two important meetings:

• The Council of Ratisbon in 792.
• The Council of Frankfurt in 794.

Important Thinkers Respond

Many other religious scholars wrote against Elipandus's ideas.

• An English theologian named Alcuin wrote several books. One was called Treatise against Elipandus.
• Paulinus II of Aquileia also wrote a book. This book explained why Elipandus's teachings were wrong for the Council of Frankfurt.

See also

In Spanish: Elipando de Toledo para niños