Adoption and the Christian Justification

Many times adoption is touted as a Christian and loving thing to do. In fact, many churches refer to and partner with adoption agencies to help infertile couples find their family. Interestingly, the idea of adoption can become a popular discussion and heralded avenue to an unselfish act unparalleled with any other within Christian circles.

As a Christian, questioning whether or not the idea of adoption is a biblical concept is a non issue. A universally accepted concept is that adoption is referred to throughout the Bible. "Since the Bible refers to adoption then it must be good" typifies how adoption is perceived in the Christian community. Searching the internet for adoption agencies, Christian sites readily appear and the reference  a child as a "gift from God" is a common denominator. As an educator and advocate for children who truly need a home to be given the chance to grow up in one, addressing this misconception is crucial because the idea of adoption being a Christian thing to do has gone amuck.

As I did a search for all the adoption references found in the Bible, I became convinced that there were unknown historical reasons for using religious references in connection with adoption. After all, if it is a Christian thing to do, it can't be wrong. If the Bible says adoption is OK, then we SHOULD do it. If the adoption agency or private adoption agent refers to being Christian, then adoption MUST be the right thing to do and Christians don't lie, right? There are 4 references in the New Testament to adoption, depending on which translation you read. Romans 8:15, 8:23, 9:4; Galatians 4:5, and Ephesians 1:5. When researching for the meaning of adoption in Strong's Concordance the word adoption as used in these verses means removal such as exile.

As a Christian, adoption into the family of God means being adopted into God's Sonship with unconditional love and acceptance with a purposefully, planned future without the feelings or fear of rejection or abandonment. Biblical adoption happens as a result of a choice to accept Jesus as one's Lord and Savior through the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Adoption in a Christian sense happens when the adoptee (if you will, the person of accountability) chooses to accept Jesus into his or her life. The adoptee (meaning the accountable person) recognizes through God's Word, teaching and salvation that s/he had previously been a slave and living the life of a slave without God. S/he chooses salvation and recognizes the adoption that is available to the Sonship with Jesus. The common theme here: one CHOOSES adoption, not having it imposed upon them. (Theologians retreat, I realize the arguable concept as to when adoption into God's Sonship occurs. I'm not debating that in this particular blog.)

The Bible's Old Testament references to adoption can be enumerated on one hand. Esther was adopted by Mordecai (her uncle) because her mother and father were both dead (Esther 2:7). Moses's adoption occurred to save his life and he was adopted by Pharoah's daughter. If you're unfamiliar with the story, Moses returns to his family of origin when he becomes old enough to do so. One reference on infertility was Hannah. She was "barren" but had faith in God to conceive (I Sam 1&2).

The Biblical account to adoption refers to adoption for those who are led by the Holy Spirit to recognize and have faith in God's plan for their lives. Children are NOT called to adoption because they are NOT making the choice. God allows free will and does not impose or force Himself or salvation on someone unwilling to accept Him. The common day practice of adoption can't begin to relate to this "Christian" definition of adoption. In fact, the idea of adoption as practiced today is the antithesis of what the Bible refers to as adoption.

How did the word adoption come to mean that children should be removed from their biological families to be placed and serve in non biological families as a surrogate for those who who do not have children of their own? The modern day definition of adoption cannot be referenced anywhere in the Bible. The reference to how God adopts us and is therefore a good thing is a man-made definition and has no merit.

Adoption used as a Christian and scripturally accepted way of forming a family is made up and being used unethically and forcefully to displace children from their families of origin. Adoption advertisements and adoption agents who make a living at completing adoptions create a beautifully packaged idea of a child needing to go to a non biological, infertile family because s/he will be better off.

When the Bible refers to Esther's adoption, clearly Esther has been orphaned (without her mom and dad to raise her) but she is adopted by a relative within her family of origin, her uncle. While Moses was a prime example of removing a child for reasons of safety (the male babies were all being killed at that time in his country) he was never a connected member to Pharoah's family and in the end returned to his family of origin.

Using Christianity or any religion to justify the act of displacing a child from his or her family of origin is wrong. When names are changed, information hidden, and secrets tightly held about a child being displaced from the family of origin into a non biological family, the child is being placed in a position of slavery. The best interest of the child has no place in this scenario. The "good" idea of placing a child outside of the family of origin due to safety concerns or due to nonexistent or unfit family has been made shameful and exploitative as adoption exists today.

Legislation must be changed to honor and respect the child and families of origin. Legislation in most states reverences the adoptive family and favors the adoption process. Changing legislation to honor the child and his/her connection to the family of origin will help reform and make sense of the displacement of a child when, and only if, adoption is necessary.