Few books have impacted me this year like Adopted For Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families and Churches. Russell Moore writes in a clear, Gospel-centered manner. He elevates the issue of adoption above merely social concern and roots it is the very heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Moore's transparency brings a gravity to his writing. The pain of infertility and the insensitivity of others are a few of the emotional valleys through which the author takes the reader. I HIGHLY recommend this book to every pastor and any person who wants to better understand what it means to be adopted into God's family.

"Our adoption is about more than just belonging. Our adoption is about the day when the graves of this planet will be emptied, when the great assembly of Christ's church will be gathered before the Judgment Seat. On that day, the accusing principalities and powers will probably look once more at us - former murderers and fornicators and idolaters, formerly uncircumcised in flesh and heart - and they may ask one more time, 'So are they brothers?' The hope of adopted children like my sons - and like me - is that the voice that once thundered over the Jordan will respond, one last time, 'They are now.'" (p. 57) ( )

I'm always a little wary starting books like this one because of all of the really bad theology that seems to be filling the shelves of Christian bookstores these days. Normally, if a book calls Christians to good works, it is either under a false Gospel or just a long guilt trip. This is really unfortunate, because the true Gospel is the greatest motivation of all to do good works.

From the first section, I realized right away that Russell Moore understood that. His love for adoption does not stem from guilt or trying to earn his way to heaven, but in the understanding that he too was adopted, not because of anything good within himself, but because of the love and goodness of God alone, who calls adopted children to himself from all nations and tribes to be coheirs of the kingdom with Christ.

With the Gospel as his constant theme, Moore lays out a theology of adoption that is God-honoring and Christ-centered. I would be much less concerned with the state of Evangelicalism today if I saw more books like this at Christian bookstores. ( )

Comparing the Christian's adoption by God to the modern practice of adoption, Moore argues that the gospel and adoption are integrally related. Moore walks through the issue of 'why adopt?' - he doesn't deal with all the 'how' questions, but instead focuses on how a biblical theology of adoption is worked out in practice. This book is a compelling read and one that we recommend to people in our church. Its not necessary for you to have adopted, or even be considering adoption, in order to benefit from what he writes. ( )

This book provides great insight into adoption. The writing style flows smoothly and the content is easy to understand. Russell Moore's adoption experience provides a significant backdrop for the text. I enjoyed the thoughts Moore provided on the theological underpinnings of adoption as well. I would encourage anyone who has questions practically or theologically about adoption to purchase this text. ( )

There is no other book quite like this one—a book to help you understand your own adoption by your heavenly Father and how you can be like him by helping to make adoption a priority in your family and in your the church. Who will benefit from reading it? Those who’ve adopted, those who’ve been adopted, those who are considering adoption, those who know someone in the previous categories on this list, and those who’ve experienced the adoption that comes through Christ. And that’s any believer, isn’t it?