Adopted for Life, A Review

Having been helped considerably by some articles on adoption written by, Dr. Russell D. Moore, the dean of the School of Theology and senior vice president for academic administration at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, I waited with eager anticipation the publication of his book, Adopted for Life. This book did not disappoint.

Adopted for Life seeks to move readers to reexamine adoption in light of the gospel. Dr. Moore writes,

The gospel of Jesus Christ means our families and churches ought to be at the forefront of the adoption of orphans close to home and around the world. As we become more attuned to the gospel, we'll have more of a burden for orphans. As we become more adoption-friendly, we'll be better able to understand the gospel. This book calls us to look forward to an adoptive-missional church. In this book I want to call us all to consider how encouraging adoption--whether we adopt or whether we help others adopt--can help us peer into the ancient mystery of our faith in Christ and can help us restore the fracturing unity and the atrophied mission of our congregations (18).

He states further, "I want to ask what it would mean if our churches and families were known as people who adopted babies--and toddlers, and children and teenagers. What if we as Christians were known, once again, as the people who take in orphans and make them beloved sons and daughters? (20)". He points out, "You have a stake in the adoption issue, even if you never adopt a child," because Jesus considered important (20).

The rest of the book seeks to demonstrate from Scripture and theology why adoption is so important. In the chapter entitled, Are They Brothers?, Dr. Moore points out, "The New Testament continually points to our adoption in Christ in order show us that we're really, really wanted here in the Father's house. The Spirit is continually telling the people of Christ that they, we, are 'blessed' in Christ through adoption (Eph. 1:3,5)" (33, emphasis in original). He states, "In fact, maybe the reason we wonder whether "adopted" children can "really" be brothers and sisters is because we so rarely see it displayed in our pews" (39).

Moore writes not as a detached academic, but as a father who has adopted, a pastor who has counseled others to adopted, and as a sinner who himself was adopted into the family of God. He writes with an intensity and passion that pierces the reader and challenges both their understanding of adoption and their understanding of the gospel. Several times I found myself crying as I read the book--sometimes because I had been there myself and other times because the Spirit had used his words to convict me of sinful attitudes and actions.

This book was written for anyone who may be considering adoption, who has adopted, who knows someone who has or is adopted, who doesn't believe they could adopt, but could help others to adopt, or who has just heard the word adoption. It is an important work for pastors/elders, church staff, deacons, Sunday school teachers and nursery workers. I really think everyone should read it and allow it to challenge their understanding of adoption.

The book is easy to read, although it is very intense and personal at times. The material is easy to grasp, thoroughly scriptural, and theologically sound. The message is pertinent and convicting. I encourage every one to rush out and get a copy. Then after you have read it, prayerfully consider how God would have you respond to the adoption call.