Our understanding of Christianity cannot be better than our grasp of adoption.

“If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God’s child, and having God as his Father. If this is not the thought that prompts and controls his worship and prayers and his whole outlook on life, it means that he does not understand Christianity very well at all.

For everything that Christ taught, everything that makes the New Testament new, and better than the Old, everything that is distinctively Christian as opposed to merely Jewish, is summed up in the knowledge of the Fatherhood of God. “Father” is the Christian name for God. Our understanding of Christianity cannot be better than our grasp of adoption.”

—J.I. Packer, Knowing God (Downers Grove, IL: 1993), 201-202

HT: First Importance

Shaun Groves

Shaun Groves, in a recent blog post, asks the question "Individual (only a select few are supposed to do it) or universal (every Christian who isn’t nuts or destitute should do it)?"

Here's the background...

What if God’s will comes in two brands: Individual and Universal.

The first answers the questions we’re asking: What should I study? Who should I marry? Where should I live? God’s individual will is for my life only. It’s often grainy, hard to get at, often not making sense until in hindsight.

The universal will of God answers the questions God most wants us to ask. Care for your enemies. Don’t steal. Take only your daily bread. God’s universal will applies to all Christians everywhere, regardless of age, denominational bent or nationality. God’s universal will is frighteningly clear much of the time, hard to wriggle around.

God wills that some Christians get married (individual will) but that every Christian respect and protect marriage (universal will).

God wills that some Christians move to Africa (individual will) but that every Christian care for the poor in some way (universal will).

God wills that some Christians become teachers (individual will) but that every Christian pass on what they know about God to others (universal will).

So where does adoption fall?

Individual (only a select few are supposed to do it) or universal (every Christian who isn’t nuts or destitute should do it)?

I'll attempt to give my answer to the question. Though, I do have a substantial caveat. I struggle with the concept of an "individual will" of God. I won't go into that here. For more information about that, check out Greg Koukul's "Decision Making and the Will of God." At $10, it's a little of an investment, but well worth it.

So... My Answer:
Both.

My good friend Dennis said to me "Adoption is not for every Christian family, but is something that every Christian family should consider." Now, we are called to care for orphans (James 1:27), but does that mean that as a Christian, I'm automatically called to adopt? No. Yes, there clearly are some who are to adopt -- an that greatly honors God. (If you are considering adopting, check out this list of "diagnostic questions" prepared by my church.)

But, what about the rest. Christians should be involved in orphan care. That can take on as many different forms as there are Christians, but be involved. What does this look like? Here's some ideas...

• Foster Care
• Respite Care (For Foster Care families)
• Financially supporting an Adoption Agency
• Financially supporting a couple who is adopting
• Helping at a Crisis Pregnancy Center
• Helping a foster care family buy clothes for their foster kids
• Pray for orphans, foster care families, and families adopting
• Learn about the Doctrine of Adoption
• Volunteer at a Rescue Mission

There are countless ways to, being motivated by grace, care for orphans. So, adoption is for all to consider and some to do, but caring for orphans is for all to do.

Adoption (2) - C.J. Mahaney

C.J. Mahaney continues his Multi-Part series on Adoption. Today, he points us to the outstanding Russell More book "Adopted for Life." Here's a particularly powerful excerpt.

Moore tells the story of leaving the orphanage in Russia with his two newly-adopted boys.

They’d never seen the sun, and they’d never felt the wind. They had never heard the sound of a car door slamming or felt like they were being carried along a road at 100 miles an hour. I noticed that they were shaking and reaching back to the orphanage in the distance. Suddenly it wasn’t a stranger asking, “Are they brothers?” They seemed to be asking it, nonverbally but emphatically, about themselves.

I whispered to Sergei, now Timothy, “That place is a pit! If only you knew what’s waiting for you—a home with a mommy and a daddy who love you, grandparents and great-grandparents and cousins and playmates and McDonald’s Happy Meals!”

But all they knew was the orphanage. It was squalid, but they had no other reference point. It was home.

Read the whole thing...

Matt Chandler and the De-Churched

A little off-topic I know, but too good of a video to pass up...

Prayer Request

I don't know how many people actually read this blog. That's OK. Last time I looked, it wasn't that many.

However, if you do happen to read this, please consider praying for our friends Doug and Jennifer. A few years ago, they were given custody of their two nephews. This became permanent after a long court battle that ended about two years ago. The boys have flourished in their home, and are doing great. They play football and love to have fun. I think the oldest is 13.

Doug and Jennifer have found out that the biological mother wants custody back, and there is a court hearing tomorrow. She has (according to our friends) made very little attempt over the past 5 years to be in the boys lives. Any times she's scheduled, she has not shown up for. If the court were to rule in favor of the mom, it would be devastating, both for our friends, but mainly for the boys.

If you read this, please pray for our friends, and the right outcome of this situation.

Thanks!

C.J. Mahaney on Adoption

From "C.J.'s view from the cheap seats"...

My 27 years as the senior pastor of Covenant Life Church were filled with countless joys. Among my happiest memories are the times parents introduced me to their newly adopted children.

Covenant Life, like so many churches, is filled with stories of parents willing to travel to distant lands, to invest thousands of dollars, and sometimes to enter dangerous and impoverished countries with one purpose in mind: to adopt a child.

Meeting these children was a unique joy. Each time I met these adopted children, I felt God’s pleasure. Each time I admired the selflessness and compassion of these parents. And each time I was reminded of the Savior “who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Over the next few weeks, C.J. Mahaney will study the Doctrine of Adoption in his blog. I'm sure it'll be well worth the time to read.

Adopted for Life - Outtakes

I've been working through "Adopted for Life" by Russell Moore. I'm planning on putting together posts on each chapter, but I've run across this gem from Chapter 7.

Because God creates via words (Jer. 51:15-16), he uses preaching to call into existence spiritual realities that didn't exist before (Ezek 37:4). The very act of preaching makes things happen; it forces a confrontation not just between people and ideas, but also between people and Spirit. A pastor's preaching on the cosmic and missional aspects of adoption will not come back void. It will create a reality within the church, wherever there are those who are willing to hear the voice of Christ, who don't harden their hearts but listen in belief (Heb. 3:7-4:16).

Adopted for Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families and Churches Now Available

Dr. Russel Moore's highly anticipated book, "Adopted for Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families and Churches" is now available. I've got my copy and will be working through it. I'll post my thoughts and reviews here over the next few weeks.

Adopted for Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families and Churches

No, Mr. President

HT: Justin Taylor

Matt Chandler

This has nothing to do with adoption - yet everything at the same time. Well worth your four minutes.