Book Review - ADOPTED FOR LIFE

Adopted For Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families and Churches - Russell D. Moore

Let me start out by stating that this is a great book. This is the best discussion of either adopting a child or the doctrine of adoption that I have ever read. Russell Moore writes as a theologian, pastor, father of four children (two adopted), and adopted son of God; and he appears to fill each of these roles better than most men fill any one of them. Furthermore, each of these roles was crucial to his writing this excellent treatment of the subject.

First, this book fills a gap that has been left open for a long time: a wide market appeal to Christians for adopting because of our own adoption. I have heard others state similar claims, but until now, this information was scattered throughout my library of books and sermons in the form of random quotes and appeals. Moore offers a focused discussion that is just as useful for the seminary student as it is for potential parents. I will highly recommend this book to anyone considering adoption, discouraging adoption, or studying the theology of adoption.

Second, this book weaves theology, biography, and appeal into a wonderfully engaging read. The first half of the book is heavier on theology than the remainder, but the entire book reads like an enjoyable discussion one might have over coffee or a beer.

While this book does read like a story or conversation, it is a conversation not easily forgotten. Moore's story will cause tears and his appeals will bring conviction. He holds nothing back in sharing his experiences, and he makes no apologies as he preaches to his readers (I have a feeling that he has preached all of this to his local church). This book will make a difference in the life of each reader.

His goal is clearly stated in the subtitle: to make adoption a priority for Christians and churches. A few quotes will make his aim even clearer, and should provoke everyone to pick up this book:

Our churches often don't "get" adoption, first and foremost, because they don't "get" God.

Adoption is not just about couples who want children - or who want more children. Adoption is about an entire culture within our churches, a culture that sees adoption as part of our Great Commission mandate and as a sign of the gospel itself.

Here's where, I think, the nub of the whole issue lies. Adoption would become a priority in our churches if our churches themselves saw brotherhood and sisterhood in the church itself rather than in our fleshly identities . . . Of course that's hard to imagine, when so many of our churches can't even get over differences as trivial as musical style.

Ultimately, this book isn't really about adoption at all . . . It's about Jesus.

I believe this book will have a significant impact on many Christians and churches. Every pastor needs to read this book and communicate its truths to his church. Adoption isn't a priority for most churches, but it is a priority for God. If this previous statement caused some curiosity, then go read the book.

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Total Church Theology

A quote from Total Church, regarding theology:

The main thing that prevents us from understanding the Bible alright is not lack of hermeneutical skills but our sin. Our sin warps our understanding because we all tend toward self-justification.

A significant part of the problem behind academic theology and biblical scholarship is the way in which it is, all too often, self-referential. Professional theologians often write about and for other professional theologians. In the New Testament, church leaders were responsible for guarding the flock from error (Acts 20:28-31). They were, if you like, theologians-in-residence within the congregation. We have often moved this function of guarding from error into the academy, but this is a dangerous place for it to reside.

If true theology is the fruit of engagement with the Bible set in the context of the local church [which he argued for previously], then much of what passes for theology is not theology at all. Why do we allow such people to set the agenda?

Please understand that this is not a plea for dumbing down the truth of God, nor for despising theology per se. It is a critique of professional theology removed from the furnace of life and not hammered into shape on the anvil of the local church. As Calvin says, doctrine is an affair "not of the tongue, but of life. It is not apprehended by the understanding and memory alone, as other disciplines are, but it is received only when it possesses the whole soul, and finds a seat and resting place in the inmost affection of the heart. . . . It must enter our heart and pass into our daily living, and so transform us into itself that it may not be unfruitful for us."

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A Theology of Struggling

As a part of his series on Repentance, Matt Chandler's most recent sermon was entitled "A Theology of Struggle."  Everyone should download this sermon, and probably this entire series. Some of the highlights of this sermon include his summary of what the Bible says is the "right way" and "wrong way" to struggle with sin; he calls this later category "the cycle of doom."

He basically defines "the cycle of doom" as giving in to the temptation that constantly attacks us, experiencing ungodly grief over our sin in this area of struggle, trying to fix ourselves, working hard to avoid this sin, eventually falling back into the same sin again, and then repeating this pattern for thirty years. He says that this is the wrong response to the wrong motive. Unfortunately, this pattern defines the majority of evangelicalism. It is a repeating of two unbiblical practices: feeling ungodly guilt over our sin and attempting to overcome the temptation by our own willpower. This "cycle of doom" can only lead to depression and angst whenever we fail, and even if we are successful for a season, it will only lead to pharisaism. This pattern cannot lead to godliness.

The alternative option that he offers to his listeners is to essentially trash this mindset of being able to fix ourselves. Instead we need to embrace the biblical teaching that we don't stand a chance at sanctifying ourselves without God's grace.  Justification and Sanctification are equally reliant upon God's grace. We should spend more time pleading with the Father to change us into a more Christlike version of ourselves by the working of the Spiritm and then repeat that for thirty years. One important clarification: this "right way" of struggling with temptation does not negate our responsibility for sin; rather, it puts our ability to fix ourselves into proper perspective.

Another important point that he makes is that we often convince ourselves that we are doing everything we can to combat the recurring sin in our lives. However, if no one else knows about this sin, then you haven't done everything.  In reality, you haven't even begun to fight because we are supposed to be fighting together as an army against sin, temptation, and evil. Christians are meant to do life together in community. We need prayer, accountability, and counsel. Overcoming sin requires community.

Godly guilt and repentance can only be birthed out of a proper understanding of our depravity and God's holiness.  Whenever we sin, we offend God. However, Christ atoned for all of our offenses on the cross.  Therefore, we should live obediently out of gratitude, not guilt. We trust in God to provide the grace for both our right standing and right conduct. The wrong mode is not white-knuckled discipline, but reliance upon God. Because, no matter how aggressively or sincerely we try to avoid temptation, we cannot stop sinning unless God trains us in righteousness. This training, our sanctification, is a process that relies completely upon God's grace. Also, don't become impatient; part of sanctification involves waiting on the Lord.

What do we do while we wait on the Lord? We try to "position ourselves under the waterfall of God's grace." This includes putting ourselves under biblical teaching, positioning ourselves in accountable community, seeking opportunities for training in righteousness, and trying to walk in obedience while we wait. We all struggle, the goal is to struggle well while we are moving forward towards godliness.

The best quote of the sermon: "I am constantly perplexed at the belief that you're going to stumble into godliness."

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Twilight

This book and movie has turned into the latest cultural phenomenon. I have even heard it claimed that this movie is going to be as big as Harry Potter. While I do not know if it will catch the adolescent wizard, it is definitely creating a lot of buzz. Unfortunately, I haven't read the book and probably won't get to see the movie anytime soon.

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Nonetheless, I would love to discuss the impact this vampire story is having on the Christian community. If you have read the book or seen the movie, then please comment with any thoughts, suggestions, or critiques.

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