Adoption

In the opening pages of Union with Christ: Reframing Theology and Ministry for the Church, J. Todd Billings calls attention to a particular image used in Scripture to explain what Jesus, by his life, death and resurrection, has accomplished for believers: adoption (Rom. 8:14­–17, 23; 9:4; Gal. 4:4­–7; Eph. 1:5; 2:2). Adoption, in the ancient Roman world, usually involved adults being adopted in order that an heir might be arranged for a household (p. 18); thus, adoption came with the privilege of an inheritance but also with the responsibilities of living in a manner fitting of being an heir and a member of the adoptive family. There is a particular intimacy and nearness of God to his adopted children communicated by this familial language. In fact, as Billings says, there is something about the nearness of God that is unnerving. It blows apart our ability to think of God as a conveniently available lifeguard—there and ready to help if needed but who can otherwise be ignored while we have fun. Adoption confers on believers an identity as adopted children that was not earned or acquired by our affability. No, as Galatians 4:4–6 informs us adoption presupposes a God-initiated encounter through the Spirit whereby we are made children of God apart from any thing we've done or will do.