The Spirit of Adoption: At Home in God's Family

by Jeanne Stevenson-Moessner and Jeanne Stevenson Moessner

Book Overview

In this heart-felt theology of adoption, Jeanne Stevenson-Moessner argues that while the church has long understood the grounding self-concept of a Christian as a "child of God," it has failed to underscore that we all come into the family of faith by adoption. She explores adoption as a central theme in Scripture, as a doctrine of faith, and as a theological metaphor. Further, in using her own experience of adoption to inform her scholarship,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0664222005
• ISBN13: 9780664222000
• Release Date: March 2003
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press
• Length: 134 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.4" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

This is a "must have" for pastors

As the pastor of a church, and as one who has adopted two children, I have come back to this book again and again. It not only combines biblical and theological issues pertaining to adoption, but takes a look at the emotional and psychological issues as well. I have loaned or given this book to a number of couples (and some single individuals) who are in the process of adopting, and they have found it to be quite helpful.Part of the book's strength is that though the book is written by a scholar (a seminary professor of pastoral care), much of the book simply tells the stories of a wide range of people who have gone through the adoption process--sometimes successfully, and sometimes unsuccessfully. Particularly poignant are the sections that deal with "barrenness," the terribly difficult realization that a couple is not able to conceive biologically. Though the "shame" of infertility is not as great as it was in biblical times, there is still great pain that is often not talked about or acknowledged. Several couples said it was good to know that they were not alone in their pain and grief, and this book helped them deal with that. Another couple said it gave them "permission" to finally put their efforts to conceive aside and move ahead towards adoption. It's a book that clergy should have, and the author has done us a great favor in compiling these stories, both biblical and contemporary.

A Theology of Adoption from the Heart

I know Dr. Moessner personally and studied her book for a class. She is a warm and caring person with a deep personal faith that really shines through in this book. If you are wondering about adoption from a Christian faith perspective including all the really difficult, heart-wrenching things this is truly the book to own. For adoptive parents, birth parents, children and intersted persons this book will help you understand the perspective of each person in the adoption -- their feelings and struggles as well as joys. This book will also help those who are not adopted understand God better - God who adopts us into the eternal. I highly recommend this book.