Status
Available
Call number
Collections
Publication
Crossway (2015), Edition Expanded, Updated, 256 pages, 2015.
Description
The gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news that through Jesus we have been adopted as sons and daughters into God's family, means that Christians ought to be at the forefront of the adoption of orphans in North America and around the world. Russell D. Moore does not shy away from this call in Adopted for Life, a popular-level, practical manifesto for Christians to adopt children and to help equip other Christian families to do the same. He shows that adoption is not just about couples who want children, or who want more children. It is about an entire culture within the church, a culture that sees adoption as part of the Great Commission mandate and as a sign of the gospel itself.
User reviews
LibraryThing member nesum
I'm always a little wary starting books like this one because of all of the really bad theology that seems to be filling the shelves of Christian bookstores these days. Normally, if a book calls Christians to good works, it is either under a false Gospel or just a long guilt trip. This is really
From the first section, I realized right away that Russell Moore understood that. His love for adoption does not stem from guilt or trying to earn his way to heaven, but in the understanding that he too was adopted, not because of anything good within himself, but because of the love and goodness of God alone, who calls adopted children to himself from all nations and tribes to be coheirs of the kingdom with Christ.
With the Gospel as his constant theme, Moore lays out a theology of adoption that is God-honoring and Christ-centered. I would be much less concerned with the state of Evangelicalism today if I saw more books like this at Christian bookstores.
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unfortunate, because the true Gospel is the greatest motivation of all to do good works.From the first section, I realized right away that Russell Moore understood that. His love for adoption does not stem from guilt or trying to earn his way to heaven, but in the understanding that he too was adopted, not because of anything good within himself, but because of the love and goodness of God alone, who calls adopted children to himself from all nations and tribes to be coheirs of the kingdom with Christ.
With the Gospel as his constant theme, Moore lays out a theology of adoption that is God-honoring and Christ-centered. I would be much less concerned with the state of Evangelicalism today if I saw more books like this at Christian bookstores.
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LibraryThing member deusvitae
An excellent work focusing on adoption in terms of the adoption of believers by God in Christ. The author draws from his own experiences in adopting two children from Russia and his work to integrate them into his own family and an American culture that does not know how to handle adoption.
The
The book has much theology on which to chew but also the author's story, his encounters with others regarding the adoption, his own path to accepting adoption, and insights and recommendations for people considering adoption or assisting people with adoption. The author also provides advice for churches and their leaders to help facilitate a more "adoption friendly" environment, all of which is based on God's adoption of believers.
If one is not a Christian, this book will more likely than not be rather offensive. The author squarely challenges the Darwinist position held by many in terms of gene preservation along with many other social attitudes toward adoption. The author's very convicting statements may also lead to offense in the eyes of many Christians, but sometimes people must tell it as it is.
My family is considering adoption, and this book is very encouraging and empowering for those who are considering it. The book is overall quite helpful for Christians considering adoption or who want to be of assistance to those adopting.
The
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author is Baptist and many of his Calvinistic doctrinal positions are made evident. Nevertheless, he is otherwise quite Biblical in perspective, and much of what he says strikes at the heart of the message of the Gospel. He is quite convicting regarding the importance of adoption in light of the Biblical image of God adopting believers through Christ. Adoption, therefore, should not be seen as second-rate or a "last ditch" proposition in having children. Those who are adopted should feel as naturally part of their families as believers feel with Christ and one another (or, at least, should). If we honor Christ and His work of bringing everyone to Him as equals, then we should honor adoption, even when it seems messy. The book has much theology on which to chew but also the author's story, his encounters with others regarding the adoption, his own path to accepting adoption, and insights and recommendations for people considering adoption or assisting people with adoption. The author also provides advice for churches and their leaders to help facilitate a more "adoption friendly" environment, all of which is based on God's adoption of believers.
If one is not a Christian, this book will more likely than not be rather offensive. The author squarely challenges the Darwinist position held by many in terms of gene preservation along with many other social attitudes toward adoption. The author's very convicting statements may also lead to offense in the eyes of many Christians, but sometimes people must tell it as it is.
My family is considering adoption, and this book is very encouraging and empowering for those who are considering it. The book is overall quite helpful for Christians considering adoption or who want to be of assistance to those adopting.
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LibraryThing member WellingtonWomble
Ostensibly, this is a book about adoption, but it is NOT limited to prospective parents and their relatives. This is a book that should be read by ALL Christians, single, married, with or without children, young, old, and in between because it is relevant to each of us.
In the context of recounting
Of particular value to the average person in the church is what to say - and what not to say - to those who who are considering or have already adopted, and to those couples who have miscarried or are struggling with infertility. Moore is calling for a greater sensitivity and openness in our churches on these issues.
Like Martin Luther did with justification by faith, Moore has rediscovered a long neglected Christian doctrine - that of adoption - and from his exposition of it recasts a vision of the church as a community that ministers to the teenage mom, the orphan, the widow, and the stranger. Perhaps the greatest gift of this book is to remind the reader that we are all orphans adopted into the family of God by grace and thus heirs to the Kingdom with Christ as our brother.
The temptation will be to file this book under "Parenting" where it will likely remain unread but for a select few; the challenge is to use it for a church wide study on ecclesiology that will cause a major rethink and reorientation of your church back to the community God intended.
In the context of recounting
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his own journey to adopt two boys from a Russian orphanage following three miscarriages by his wife, Moore takes the reader through some unexpected and profound discussions on such topics as the doctrine of adoption in and through Jesus Christ, financial stewardship, Christian parenting, the ethics of reproductive technologies, the reduction of children to commodities, the Church as true community, spiritual warfare, issues surrounding adoption and infertility, and mission. Of particular value to the average person in the church is what to say - and what not to say - to those who who are considering or have already adopted, and to those couples who have miscarried or are struggling with infertility. Moore is calling for a greater sensitivity and openness in our churches on these issues.
Like Martin Luther did with justification by faith, Moore has rediscovered a long neglected Christian doctrine - that of adoption - and from his exposition of it recasts a vision of the church as a community that ministers to the teenage mom, the orphan, the widow, and the stranger. Perhaps the greatest gift of this book is to remind the reader that we are all orphans adopted into the family of God by grace and thus heirs to the Kingdom with Christ as our brother.
The temptation will be to file this book under "Parenting" where it will likely remain unread but for a select few; the challenge is to use it for a church wide study on ecclesiology that will cause a major rethink and reorientation of your church back to the community God intended.
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LibraryThing member kaykwilts
If you are looking for a how to book on adoption this is not it. This book was written by a conservative Southern Baptist professor of theology. He and his wife initially has trouble conceiving children so they adopted two little boys out of Russia. He urges couples who are reluctant to adopt to do
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so rather than spend countless amounts on fertility treatments such as IFV which may or may not work. He states in this book that a child adopted becomes like your own flesh and blood. There is not difference. He explores the spiritual side of adoption in that we as humans are the adopted children of God. He loves us as his own. Show Less
LibraryThing member kpjackson
When I first received this book (before I looked at the subtitle), I assumed it was going to be a treatment of the adoption of Christians as sons of God through the death and atoning sacrifice of Christ. What I found was so much more. This is an excellent book for those who have adopted, are
Excellent and highly recommended for everyone.
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thinking of adopting, have not ever considered adopting or have decided they will never adopt a child. Within the framework of the adoption of children into his family, Moore sets out to encourage Christian families to consider the real need for adoption and reality of what that means to our families. Deeper still he explores the reality of the Christian's adoption by God and how the one is a reflection of the other.Excellent and highly recommended for everyone.
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LibraryThing member HowHop
This book really grabbed me at first but then lost the strength of its hold as it went on though it continued to remain interesting enough to make it easy to read through. The author presents the analogy of family adoption and the Christian's adoption through Christ as a son of God. This is
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convincingly and beautifully done as told through the author's own experience of adopting two boys from an orphanage in Russia. There is also much practical advice for families considering adoption as well as for churches and how they can contribute to this neglected missional project. If anyone knows of Christians that are cold to the idea of adoption, put this book into their hands. Show Less
LibraryThing member bluewoad
I have six adopted brothers and sisters, so I was quite excited about this book when it was first announced. Thankfully, Russell Moore does an excellent job bringing together the theology of adoption with the 'real world' reality of adoption. He writes with a winsome, accessible style that had me
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both laughing out loud and fighting back tears. I'm going to recommend this book to anyone and everyone I can think of. Show Less
LibraryThing member rbclibrary
There is no other book quite like this one—a book to help you understand your own adoption by your heavenly Father and how you can be like him by helping to make adoption a priority in your family and in your the church. Who will benefit from reading it? Those who’ve adopted, those who’ve
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been adopted, those who are considering adoption, those who know someone in the previous categories on this list, and those who’ve experienced the adoption that comes through Christ. And that’s any believer, isn’t it? Show Less
LibraryThing member robertmccready
This book provides great insight into adoption. The writing style flows smoothly and the content is easy to understand. Russell Moore's adoption experience provides a significant backdrop for the text. I enjoyed the thoughts Moore provided on the theological underpinnings of adoption as well. I
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would encourage anyone who has questions practically or theologically about adoption to purchase this text. Show Less
LibraryThing member bulldog
Comparing the Christian's adoption by God to the modern practice of adoption, Moore argues that the gospel and adoption are integrally related. Moore walks through the issue of 'why adopt?' - he doesn't deal with all the 'how' questions, but instead focuses on how a biblical theology of adoption is
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worked out in practice. This book is a compelling read and one that we recommend to people in our church. Its not necessary for you to have adopted, or even be considering adoption, in order to benefit from what he writes. Show Less
LibraryThing member RobSumrall
Few books have impacted me this year like Adopted For Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families and Churches. Russell Moore writes in a clear, Gospel-centered manner. He elevates the issue of adoption above merely social concern and roots it is the very heart of the Gospel of Jesus
"Our adoption is about more than just belonging. Our adoption is about the day when the graves of this planet will be emptied, when the great assembly of Christ's church will be gathered before the Judgment Seat. On that day, the accusing principalities and powers will probably look once more at us - former murderers and fornicators and idolaters, formerly uncircumcised in flesh and heart - and they may ask one more time, 'So are they brothers?' The hope of adopted children like my sons - and like me - is that the voice that once thundered over the Jordan will respond, one last time, 'They are now.'" (p. 57)
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Christ. Moore's transparency brings a gravity to his writing. The pain of infertility and the insensitivity of others are a few of the emotional valleys through which the author takes the reader. I HIGHLY recommend this book to every pastor and any person who wants to better understand what it means to be adopted into God's family."Our adoption is about more than just belonging. Our adoption is about the day when the graves of this planet will be emptied, when the great assembly of Christ's church will be gathered before the Judgment Seat. On that day, the accusing principalities and powers will probably look once more at us - former murderers and fornicators and idolaters, formerly uncircumcised in flesh and heart - and they may ask one more time, 'So are they brothers?' The hope of adopted children like my sons - and like me - is that the voice that once thundered over the Jordan will respond, one last time, 'They are now.'" (p. 57)
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ISBN
1433549212 / 9781433549212