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Details: It is ironic indeed that in a day where much of contemporary evangelicalism shuns theology and doctrine, the one doctrinal aspect of salvation that is probably the most palatable and appealing to those who disdain theology is perhaps the doctrine that has been the most neglected within the evangelical church - adoption. This book by Peterson attempts to remedy this peculiarity, and on a popular level, succeeds quite well. The doctrine of adoption has always been critical, but especially in today's culture, the truth of Biblical adoption has great potential to speak afresh to the secular masses. This appears to be the central conviction of Peterson in this book. Through many personal testimonies concerning the impact of adoption on the outlook and everyday lives of many different people, Peterson seeks to demonstrate an urgent relevance of Biblical adoption for today. Further, as will be discussed below, Peterson's book is arranged in a way that looks at the entirety of salvation and the Christian life within the rubric of adoption. Peterson seems to argue that understanding adoption is critical to understanding the other 'links in the chain' of salvation, such as justification, regeneration, election, etc. Tying adoption into the entirety of the ordo salutis is an approach that I found to be very good. It is true that the reader will find some redundancy both within and between chapters as a result of analyzing a handful of key passages multiple times and in multiple places. But there is a sufficient degree of separation of the concepts discussed in each chapter in such a way to build on each other without simply repeating each other. In particular, I thought Peterson's analysis of adoption as it relates to regeneration and glorification to be especially good. The other main strength of this book are the numerous personal testimonies and stories that Peterson introduces to bring the doctrine of adoption to life. Peterson is on a quest here to humanize theology and show how theology matters on the street and in people's lives, rather than having theology isolated to seminaries and libraries. This aspect of the book should make the book especially appealing to potential readers who aren't crazy about theology but intrinsically understand that good theology is better than bad theology and wonder whether good theology can translate into a good and vibrant personal orientation with God. This book shows that it can. Because so many in our society have personal experience with adoption, a book that talks about Biblical adoption and what it means to be adopted into the family of God is most welcome. This book has the potential of shining a needed light on a neglected doctrine that can speak very personally to countless numbers of folks who feel isolated, lonely, and cut off from their earthly families. As the testimonies of this book demonstrate, there is no shortage of hurting people who lack good family experiences and even lack family identification, and are walking amongst us everyday as wounded people. What better way to witness and care for them than to share the Good News of Biblical adoption and what it means. This book will enable Christians to do just that. |
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Details: With the exception of Sinclair Ferguson's excellent, Children of the Living God, there are very few books that deal with the doctrine of adoption in the christian life. Adopted By God fills a great need for this generation of believers-to know the wonder and privilege that our Lord calls us His sons and daughters. Peterson makes it clear that God has taken those who are naturally His enemies because of their sin and rebellion, and through the finished work of Christ on the cross, has brought them into His family and made them His heirs. By mixing careful Biblical study and analysis with personal stories of application, Robert A. Peterson has given us a book that is understandable by all, and yet worthy of a scholar's study. This is a truth that needs to be studied and meditated upon over and over again. Highly recommended! |
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