Wherever rationalism is a strong influence in theology, Ebionite or adoptionist views are likely to appear. This was true with the Socinians, but it was also true in some of the liberal theology that emerged in the nineteenth century. Jesus becomes a teacher of the moral law but in no sense a redeemer. His death shows the depth of his belief, and is an example for us, but is not an atoning action. For the early church, it was clear that Jesus was somehow God. To deny this was a denial of the means