Do you ever watch videos on Youtube.com? This morning, an email from a friend directed me to a Youtube video of John Piper talking. He is discussing his opinion of adoption, which he feels is Biblically grounded, “Adoption is greater than the universe.” He explains himself thoroughly in about five minutes including quotes from the Bible to support his opinion. While I agree with his final directive, I am not in complete agreement with his interpretations. That’s all right though, because he is spreading a great message. As long as we are agreeing on the way to salvation, we can disagree on issues that do not affect eternity. I hope that his words will encourage people to pursue the adoption of orphans who are desperately in need of forever families.

His premise is that adoption was here before the Universe. Adoption is greater than the universe, above the universe, and it is the purpose of the universe. God created the world for adoption. Where does he get such an idea? That is his interpretation of these passages from the New Testament book of Ephesians 1:4-6.
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For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” (NIV)

Mr. Piper goes on to explain that from these verses in Ephesians he understands that adoption is; from Him (Jesus), Through Him (Jesus), unto the praise of the Glory of His (Jesus) Grace. This draws Mr. Piper to the conclusion that grace was the root of it all and the seed of it all. He believes that adoption on the horizontal level (here on earth) is rooted in adoption on the vertical level. The vertical level referring to us being adopted as son’s of Christ Jesus. Mr. Piper believes that God chose to display his grace in the universe through the role of adoption, including spiritual and physical adoption.

Mr. Piper beseeches his listeners to consider supporting adoption. Do this by praying for adoption, doing the work of evangelism (spiritual adoption), and actually giving a home, a mom and dad, to a child who is in need. This is a great message to send out. People have so much money in America today, compared to other nations that we tend to just send money and let someone else do the hands-on. Children need the hands-on.

I do know that God expects us to look after widows and orphans because we are told to do so in James 1:27.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.(NIV

I have always viewed fostering and adopting special needs as a ministry for the Lord. We do not need to adopt to care for widows and orphans though. We can foster children, sponsor children, mentor, or volunteer. If everyone who is able would help one child then there probably wouldn’t be any needy children in the world.

The photo was actually taken in Kenya at the orphanage.
Written permission from Paul and Tina Meek on November 14, 2007.