Long before ABBA was associated with a Swedish pop group, songs like Dancing Queen, and movies like Mama Mia, it was a Greek term akin to “Papa” or “Dad,” connoting “affectionate respect.”[1] Many of us know something of these intimate terms in that when we’ve called our father to share our heart, we begin by saying, “Dad…” Or when our kids come to us for advice, they warmly address us in the same way. Similarly, this important relational word Abba or “Dad” is associated with the precious doctrine of adoption and teaches us that in Christ we should have no reticence in coming to God (Mk 14:36; cf. Rom 8:15; Gal 4:6).
Earlier this year, some dear friends invited Pam and me to be part of a very special day in the life of their family. It was the conclusion of a 2.5 year, stressful, and challenging process of fostering and working toward the adoption of their now two-year-old son, Aiden. Due to the pandemic, we gathered via Zoom with the Judge, essential court and social service personnel, Aiden, our friends and their three biological children (see above), and a few other privileged family members and friends.
Although there were formalities, the Judge kept things surprisingly light, humorous, and celebratory. The whole thing took less than a half-hour and was a truly joyous occasion. There were lots of tears and smiles—all focused on the rosy-cheeked, hardy, and ruddy little guy who would be now be protected and surrounded by love for a lifetime.
In reflecting on what it means to be adopted by the Creator of the Universe, I found some of the official adoption language that the Judge read at Aiden’s hearing especially meaningful:
“It is on this 26th day of January, 2021 ordered and adjudged, that said child is be adopted by the Plaintiffs and that the name of the said child shall be changed to Aiden Levi Vare and from the entry of this Judgement, all relationships between the child and his natural parents shall be terminated as well as all rights, duties, privileges, and obligations of any person founded upon such relationships, including the rights of inheritance under interstate laws of this State except such rights which may have been vested prior to the entry of this judgement and the entry of this Judgement of Adoption shall establish the same relationships, rights, duties, and obligations between the child and the adopting parents as if such child were born to such adopting parents in lawful wedlock, including the rights of inheritance under the interstate laws of this state.”
Our friend’s real-life experience above certainly needs to be shared and celebrated, as it sheds light on what it means to be adopted by God. In some ways, modern adoption is similar to what the Bible describes, and in some ways it is different. Jerry Bridges, in his helpful book The Gospel for Real Life, notes that “the adoption that Paul refers to is not that of an infant or small child, as is typical in our culture today. In Jewish culture it would refer to the status of those who have advanced from minors to full-grown sons . . . In Roman culture adoption would refer to the practice of wealthy but childless couples’ adopting a worthy young man to be their heir and carry on the family name.”[2]
Here are the two key passages on the doctrine of adoption:
- “For all that are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God, and if children then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (Rom 8:14–17a).
- “So that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God” (Gal 4:5b–7).
Bridges notes that these verses on adoption mean three precious things for the Christian:[3]
- We have been brought into close personal relationship with Him.
- We have confident and ready access to Him.
- We receive the full rights of sons.
Next week, against this backdrop of Aiden’s story, we’ll beautifully illustrate these three meanings in various ways. Stay tuned!
[1] Cameron, “Fatherhood of God,” 254.
[2] Bridges, The Gospel for Real Life, 143.
[3] Ibid., 144.