Vol 99 Issue 16

We are the children of God. This is our distinction! This is the great honor that has been bestowed on us! “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (I John 3:2). This is the reality that must frame our understanding of the Christian life. As children of God, we must live for the praise of our heavenly Father. It is serious enough that a son brings shame on...

When we speak about the theological concept of adoption, we do well to remember that adoption is about the reconciliation of rebellious and estranged children. To understand this is important to our confidence in our Father’s commitment to our safety. We were named God’s children from eternity by His eternal and unchangeable decree of election in Christ (Eph. 1:4-5). But in Adam we who had the perfect place in Father’s fellowship forsook Him. Adoption is about God taking into the fellowship of His covenant life those who had rebelled against Him and who had left Him to make their home...

We were cruising down the interstate on a Spring break getaway for two. Our little one-year-old boy was safely in the care of grandma. There was nothing but the open road, and time to talk. I was looking out the window as my wife began, carefully, to bring up an idea that had been germinating in her mind for some time. Though we recently experienced the joys and fatigue of being first-time parents, this new chapter in our lives did not arrive without a struggle. We had been married for four years, three of which included navigating the maze of...

Adoption is no small thing to our God. His covenant family includes His adopted sons and daughters. In His divine plan, He enabled us to enjoy the beauty of adoption here on earth. We speak of our son Elijah’s story, but we are keenly aware that God is the Author, bringing deep spiritual truths of adoption to light even through our earthly experience. God is the God of adoption. We were reminded of this in every signature, every transaction, every stamp, every hurdle, every triumph. Our adoption journey began with the counsel of godly friends. God used experienced adoptive parents,...

In this two-part article you are privileged to hear directly from those who experience human adoption. In the first part, I ask questions of adoptive parents and they give answers. In the second part, I follow the same format with adoptees. For space constraints, I limit myself to three couples in part one, and two adoptees in part two, and not all of their responses are published. In one case, the adoptee in part two is the child of one couple in part one. I aimed for a diverse pool of participants. The adoptive parents are varied in experience and...

Compiled by Prof. Ronald Cammenga In explaining the reward of the saints as an inheritance, Calvin says, “First, let us be heartily convinced that the Kingdom of Heaven is not servants’ wages but sons’ inheritance, which only they who have been adopted as sons by the Lord shall enjoy, and that for no other reason than this adoption.” (Institutes, 3.1.2; 1:822) Commenting on Colossians 1:12, “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light,” Calvin says: “But for what kindness does [the apostle] give thanks to God? For...

A special issue on adoption! We are excited for you to receive the Standard Bearer’s special spring issue on adoption—both human adoption of children and God’s adoption of us, His children, and their relationship. The meditation is from Herman Hoeksema on Romans 8, written in 1944. The editorial gives some history of the practice of human adoption in Dutch Reformed churches: a debate whether adopted children may be baptized before they make confession of faith, whether adoption itself is permissible, and what is the covenant theology behind the debate. Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. S. Key tackle the beautiful doctrine...

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. Romans 8:15, 16 Blessed Spirit! It is through Him, the Parakleet, the Comforter, whom the Lord had promised to send from the Father, and whom He poured forth into His church on the day of the firstfruits, that we become heirs and partakers of all the blessings of salvation! He it is that imparts unto us the fullness of Christ...

Christians may be very thankful that the church’s views on adoption today are not what they were only few generations ago. Today, adoption is common, familiar, expected, celebrated, and a cause for great rejoicing. There are domestic adoptions, foreign adoptions, and adoptions by families of relatives. A congregation without children by adoption is rare. Let’s praise God for His gift of adopted children! A little history of the olden days This blessed attitude did not always exist among us. Only 50 years ago, even if adoptions were not unknown then, a special issue of a Reformed magazine celebrating the reality...