The Theological Argument for Adoption, Part 1

People who are considering adoption must answer the fundamental question of "why" very early on in the process. Why would a husband and wife voluntarily bring a person whom they have no legal obligation to provide for into their home and commit to caring for them financially, emotionally, physically and spiritually? It is an important question and one I believe many people answer it wrongly. Many, perhaps, adopt out of a desire to meet a void in their own life or assuage themselves of some guilt.

Though it may sound strange, for our family, our motivation was (I hope!) ultimately theological. Therefore a discussion of our adoption story really begins as a theological treatise in some ways. My purpose is not to bore people while only on our second adoption blog, but rather to reveal our motives. Over the next few posts, I'm going to look at three theological truths concerning adoption.

Theological Truth #1: God Cares for Orphans

Throughout Scripture, we see that God has a special concern for those who are disenfranchised and can not care for themselves. Consider just these few examples:

• "He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing" (Deut 10:18).
• "Thou hast seen [it], for Thou hast beheld mischief and vexation to take it into Thy hand. The unfortunate commits [himself] to Thee; Thou hast been the helper of the orphan" (Psalm 10:14).
• "A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, Is God in His holy habitation" (Psalm 68:5).
• "For in Thee the orphan finds mercy" (Hosea 14:3)

Under Levitic law, the Israelites were held culpable for how they treated those among them who were most vulnerable. God wanted provision made for these and the one who refused that provision was challenging Him. The orphan could look to God confidently for His deliverance.

The implication of this is that ultimately, it is not we who cares for orphans but God.