Book Review: Adopted for Life, by Dr. Russell Moore

I was asked to review this book for our church bulletin and decided that I would post it here as well.

Adopted for Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families & Churches, by Dr. Russell Moore

“I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you” John 14:18

Dr. Moore is the Dean of the School of Theology and Senior Vice-President for Academic Administration at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also serves as a preaching pastor at Highview Baptist Church, where he ministers weekly at the congregation’s Fegenbush location.   So, when Dr. Moore and his wife after struggling through the painful losses of infertility, came to the decision to pursue adoption, he did so with his mind fully saturated with theological truths.  But at the beginning of that journey, he wouldn’t have guessed that he was about to understand God and the Gospel in a whole new, and deeper way.

At first glance, most of us may be tempted to think that this is a book only for young families thinking about the physical, horizontal adoption of children from our own community or the far reaches of the world.  And Dr. Moore does talk about that.  Dr. Moore discusses everything from the reasons that families might come to the decision to pursue adoption, to our responsibility as the Body of Christ to care for orphans, especially as those who would preach against abortion.  He teaches us how adoption is a part of the Great Commission. In a unique way we can bring those who may never hear the gospel into our own homes to hear the gospel preached every day while we live Christ-like lives in front of them, as well as participating in our daily family worship activities.

And even in this aspect of the book, I think that the audience can be larger than just those parents.  It is essential that we as a church family do what we can to understand the decisions, challenges and joys that our brothers and sisters in Christ are experiencing when they choose to pursue physical adoption.  Our love for one another should compel us to learn how we can best walk through this journey with them.

But this book is for every Christian for another reason.  This book is for every Christian because every one of us has been adopted and every Christian can benefit from a deeper understanding of what it means to be a part of the Family of God; of our sonship, as well as our brotherhood with one another and with Christ Himself.  (Rom. 8:12-17, Eph. 1: 4-6)

This book is a beautiful intertwining of the physical representation (adoption) and the Heavenly reality (Adoption).  It will give you a fresh understanding of both as well as a new impetus for bringing the gospel to your own community and to the uttermost parts of the Earth. I encourage you to add this to your reading list today.

~Jennifer