Russell Moore's outstanding book, Adopted for Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families and Churches, is now available at Amazon and at WTS Books (and elsewhere).You can read C.J. Mahaney's foreword and the first chapter online for free at the Crossway site. Here's a paragraph from C.J.'s foreword (I especially like--and agree with--the last line!):
I’ve introduced many others to the Moores’ story, and I’ve personally re-read it several times, but I’ve never read it in private or in public without tears. I don’t think you can read this book without being moved. In fact, before you turn to the first chapter, you should make sure tissues are close by (or if you’re a guy, get ready to use your shirtsleeve).Al Mohler says of this book, "Adopted for Life is one of the most compelling books I have ever read--both deeply touching and richly theological."
Anyone who has adopted or even thought about the possibility of adoption should read this book. But I'd also encourage those not called to adopt to consider reading it, for it will show you more of the gospel and encourage you to help others in the process. One of the most practical sections of the book is on how churches can encourage and support adoption.
Obviously this book means a great deal to me personally. I trust that God will use it in a unique and powerful way to advance his kingdom.
For those who want to read some of the endorsements for the book, I'm copying them below:
"Russell Moore's life has validated every word he has written. But most especially, his father's heart has been vulnerable and broken. In this book he speaks from his heart, mind, and life to ours about the possibility of incarnating adoption as a fleshed out reality in the world of our own families."- Michael Card, musician and Bible teacher
"Russell Moore, who is one of the bright young leaders in the Christian world, combines his own experience of adopting sons with a powerful message to the church about the key role it can play in promoting adoption. This is a wonderful book in which Russell very effectively weaves in mankind's own story of adoption by God. The personal accounts are particularly moving. To be pro-life, you have to be pro-adoption."
- Chuck Colson, Founder, Prison Fellowship"We often forget that the Christian walk is not merely about getting us into heaven, but it is also about getting heaven into us. This is why our Lord gave us the Beatitudes, the Sermon on the Mount, and the parable of the Good Samaritan. Thus, it is no surprise that the apostle James offers this injunction to the Early Church: 'Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world' (James 1:27, KJV). In this wonderful monograph, Adopted for Life, Russell Moore offers to the Christian world a compelling account of these and other lessons of Scripture so that our communities of faith may put them into practice and become more like that 'shining city on a hill' of which our Lord spoke."
- Francis J. Beckwith, Professor of Philosophy and Church-State Studies, Baylor University; author of Defending Life: A Moral and Legal Case Against Abortion Choice"Russell Moore is a gift of God to the Christian community and a gift of the Christian community to the nation. His writings on questions of the most profound human and moral significance never fail to instruct and inspire. In Adopted for Life, Dr. Moore draws on his family's own experience with adoption to help others understand that by adopting orphaned or abandoned children we can grow in love of God and neighbor and come to appreciate more deeply our own adoption into the family of God through the life, teaching, death, and resurrection of Jesus."
- Robert P. George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and Director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions, Princeton University"Adopted for Life is truly an incredible book of hope in so many ways. I know of no other book that is so biblically rich, so very practical, and so authentic and heart-felt about the beautiful gift of adoption as this one. It a powerfully insightful book of how adoption is a beautiful act of love and mission for the gospel. I pray that God uses this book to encourage and impact many, many lives."
- Dan Kimball, author of They Like Jesus but Not the Church"Russell Moore has out of personal experience and with biblical accuracy produced in this work an understanding of God's purposes in adoption and its connection with gospel compassion. Every pastor should consider the responsibility he has in making adoption a priority for the church as a viable representation of the gospel doctrine of adoption."
- John MacArthur, Pastor, Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, California"Thankfully, there are good books on adoption and good books on the gospel. But until the arrival of Adopted for Life, there has never been a book that puts the adoption of children so clearly within the context of the gospel of Christ. Adopted for Life is one of the most compelling books I have ever read--both deeply touching and richly theological. You will never look at adoption or the gospel in quite the same way after reading this book. How could the church have been missing this for so long?"
- R. Albert Mohler Jr., President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary"Adopted for Life is the fruit of deeply felt personal experience shaped by prolonged theological reflection. Without by any means answering every question we might raise, Russell Moore invites readers to learn to think of adoption in the light of Christian faith. This is a book not only for those who have adopted, those who may adopt, or those who have been adopted, but for all who know themselves to have been freely adopted by God's grace."
- Gilbert Meilaender, Duesenberg Professor in Christian Ethics, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso University
