Adopted by God: From Wayward Sinners to Cherished Children

by Robert A. Peterson

In an age of family breakdown, loneliness, and insecurity, we need more than ever to grasp the meaning of being sons and daughters of our heavenly Father. Surprisingly, theologians have devoted little attention to the biblical teaching on adoption. This book views the many facets of God’s saving grace through the lens of the Bible’s family imagery. Combining careful exegesis with gripping personal stories of father-child relationships, Robert A. Peterson brings home the warmth and wonder of biblical adoption.

Genres: Theology

202 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2001

Reviews

[Angus Mcfarlane · Rating 4 out of 5]

For some time I have felt that this is a biblical metaphor that is not used enough by the modern church to illustrate what is achieved by the gospel. I think the realisation came from listening to talk encouraging people to consider adopting – with three kids at home at the time I don’t think I was too keen – but the recognition, probably pointed out by the speaker, that Christians are adopted into Gods family rather than born, stuck with me.
Peterson in this book works through the biblical idea of spiritual adoption in a through way, recognising the way it complements more conventional ‘conversion’ models of justification and being born again. I liked the point that where justification is a legal term, appropriate in its context, adoption is relational and resonates more closely with the love which motivates God to reconcile with mankind (which is not to say justification isn’t also motivated by love). The metaphor of adoption is particularly relevant to ‘gentile’ Christians, born outside of the covenant with Israel, and thus more indebted by the grace that has been granted in salvation. At a time when grace is easily taken for granted, illustrations which help reinforce its remarkableness are worth embracing.
All through the book, Petersen illustrates his teaching with stories of people who have first hand of adoption, primarily adoptees who have come to appreciate both their earthly and heavenly adoption. The stories are relatively plain, but they help keep the idea from becoming too abstract. This said, the overall arc of the book is fairly straight down the line and works mainly to teach the mind rather than inspire the heart, and probably felt more compelling toward the end at it wrapped up. Readable, then, as a stand alone but leans more towards a study guide in its content, but very much a topic worth exploring.

[Matthew Kottman · Rating 4 out of 5]

There aren’t that many books that really focus on the doctrine of adoption which is one of the greatest blessings of the gospel. God’s adoption of us is something I have given a lot of thought to over the years. This book was helpful in reminding me of things I knew and revealing aspects of adoption that I never before considered. If you want to take a deeper look into the life-changing doctrine of adoption,this book won’t disappoint.

[Daniel Woodfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent testimonies, an in-depth exploration of the doctrine of adoption. While perhaps the same texts are mined again and again (Romans 8 and Galatians 3 particularly), it is a good exercise in understanding the implications of a core truth; once you've established the doctrine, the implications abound! Would heartily recommend, food for the heart and mind.

[Emily Essmyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peterson drills the profound truth of adoption into the minds of his readers throughout his book. He sees the glory of God's grace in our adoption and labors to explain how incredibly wonderful it is.

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is perhaps most helpful in this book is its insistence that adoption is not an "add on" to justification but is, in fact, just as important. Peterson is an expert systematizer of theology. He glues things together so well that you can't even see the seams. Some might find this dry, but Peterson counters this with a unique feature of this book--he must have had a year's worth of students write essays on adoption, because nearly ever point of the book, and many several points, have a first-person illustration written by a believer. So a systematic description of unmerited sonship will be followed by a testimony of someone who was plucked out of an orphanage and adopted by loving parents.

The ground covered is broad, but he covers it well--is adoption in the OT; what problem does adoption solve; what does it mean to have God as father; how is Jesus our elder brother; how is the concept of redemption involved; what is the "spirit of sonship"; how does that apply to regeneration; how can we have assurance of adoption; what does adoption mean in our daily lives; what aspects of adoption are still future?

I might still slightly prefer the Sinclair Ferguson work on adoption, only because of Ferguson's wonderful way with words, but both are noble works worthy of our attention.

[Larissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for understanding who we are in Christ.

[Brent Dore · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read quite a few books on the theological implications of adoption and this is by far the worst one. The author repeats himself constantly and simply tries to hard. He routinely takes off on rabbit trails and attempts to force Bible verses into arguments and discussions that just do not work. I would never recommend this book to someone who wanted to study the glorious riches of adoption.

[Ron Reffett]

Deals with the doctrine of adoption quite nicely, easy to understand and very readable. If you struggle with knowing how much the Father loves you, pick this book up, read it an then apply it to your life. I promise you, you'll have tears of joy after reading this treasure!

[Javajeb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encouraging to think that God adopted us: that we are his children immutably. Greatly pastoral in scope and deep theologically.

[Caroline Fontenot · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seemed really repetitive.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple and anecdotal systematic theology of adoption. Probably a little too simplistic to be assigned for a graduate-level course, but I'll take the easy read.

[Andy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very lovely topic made obscure by very clunky writing. I would encourage anyone interested in this sort of introduction to read Sinclair Ferguson's _Children of the Living God_ instead.

[Samuel Kassing · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very straight forward read about a often neglected truth.