Joel R. Beeke, Heirs with Christ: The Puritans on Adoption, (Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books 2008).

Book Summary:

Although short in length, Heirs with Christ gives a clear and historical defense on the revealing work that the Puritans did on adoption. To begin, the co-founder of Together for Adoption – Dan Cruver – gives a brief forward explaining and emphasizing adoption as being heavenly (vertical) before earthly (horizontal). Often times in theology and in church settings (and yes, even seminaries) the doctrine of adoption is not addressed or seen as important. However, as Dr. Beeke said himself, “besides the doctrine of assurance, nothing means more to my life than the doctrine of adoption.”
Dr. Beeke does a wonderful job of showing several major aspects in dealing with adoption through topics and sections such as: comparing adoption in the Old and New Testament, what adoption is not, the Westminster’s definition of adoption, the transforming power of adoption, pastoral advice in promoting adoption, marks of adoption, transformed relationships of adoption, the privileges and benefits of adoption, motives for pursuing the consciousness of adoption, and lastly, he gives warning, invitations and comfort on the subject of adoption.
If you are looking for a book that shows exactly what the Puritan era contributed on the topic of adoption, this is it. Dr. Beeke helps bring to light exactly what adoption does in transforming the believer and giving them the blessings of adoption, all inspired from the works of the Puritans. Dr. Beeke uses numerous sources, including sections from Herman Witsius, Jeremiah Burroughs, Richard Sibbes, Stephen Marshall, Thomas Manton, John Calvin, Thomas Brooks, William Perkins and Wilhelmus à Brakel.
For example, as Brakel is quoted:
“From being a child of the devil to being a child of God, from being a child of wrath to becoming the object of God’s favor, from being a child of condemnation to becoming a heir of all the promises and a possessor of all the blessings, and to be exalted from the greatest misery to the highest felicity- this is something that exceeds all comprehension and adoration.”
It is a great blessing and privilege to become a child of God through salvation. But it is even greater when we know and understand the fullness of the doctrine of adoption in itself and what it means for the believer. Only then can adoption become a splendorous wonder – seeing how God brings sinners into His family.

Recommendation:

The way in which Dr. Beeke has dug deep into the works of the Puritans to find some of the greatest writings on the doctrine of adoption is tremendous. If you love the Puritans, you will be immensely blessed by reading how they viewed adoption. What better way to enjoy the gospel itself, than seeing the depth of this mighty doctrine! Dr. Beeke’s book will not only enlighten your relationship with God, but will also change and mold your view on what your relationship with God really is.

Purchase here.

Description:
The Puritans have gotten bad press for their supposed lack of teaching on the doctrine of spiritual adoption. In Heirs with Christ, Joel R. Beeke dispels this caricature and shows that the Puritan era did more to advance the idea that every true Christian is God’s adopted child than any other age of church history. This little book lets the Puritans speak for themselves, showing how they recognized adoption’s far-reaching, transforming power and comfort for the children of God.  

Endorsements: “Dr. Beeke is well-known for his landmark work setting the record straight on the Puritan doctrine of assurance. Now he comes to our aid again with a superb treatment of the Puritans on adoption. I welcome his expert entry into this important field, and commend his keen insights and careful analysis to all who are interested in knowing ‘what the Puritans really said’ about adoption.” —Ligon Duncan

  “In this short but spiritually substantive book, Dr. Beeke—a wise and careful ‘pastor theologian’ in the best sense of both words—introduces us to the Puritans’ comforting and transforming work on spiritual adoption. More than just historically informative, this volume should be warmly welcomed by all Christians who want to learn more about this crucial aspect of our identity as sons of God and joint-heirs with Christ.” —Justin Taylor

The doctrine of adoption has profound ramifications for the Christian life. If we are true believers, it addresses so many aspects of our walk that it becomes a dominant metaphor for our salvation. One particular area of encouragement comes in relation to our prayer life. First, consider in general the blessing that spiritual adoption opens for prayer. When Jesus teaches us to pray, “Our Father which art in heaven,” He expects us to consider the divine majesty. It is a picture of a heavenly throne, highly exalted above and ruling over the created realm. Now that this created realm sinfully stands in rebellion against the King of all creation, the idea of being called before His presence is quite a dreadful thought. The fearfulness of the thought is precisely the reason Adam and Eve hid in the Garden of Eden after they ate the forbidden fruit. However, believers are not called to stand before the throne as unlawful subjects, but as beloved children. Amazingly, Jesus teaches His disciples to approach this heavenly King as a Father. But what grounds do we have for considering God our Father? Surely God has brought all men into existence and has extended a father-like care over His creation. But what gives children of disobedience (Eph. 2:2; 5:6; Col. 3:6), wrath (Eph. 2:3), and the devil (John 8:44; 1 John 3:10; Acts 13:10) the ability to call upon God as Father? The only reason to call Him Father is that He takes us as His children by grace. Second, consider the foundational rights of our Elder Brother to approach the Father. In John 15:16, Jesus tells His followers, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.” Having assured them of His plans for them to flourish in godliness, He then encourages them by calling them to invoke His name in prayer before His Father in order that “whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” With this, we understand that it is fundamentally the right of Jesus to stand before the heavenly Father. Any right we have is derived from Him. Third, consider how the rights of our Elder Brother undergird our privileges in prayer as adopted children. Praying to God as “our Father” implies coming in Jesus’ name and under His representation, for we only have a hearing as children because of our close association with the One with foundational rights to the throne of grace. In Romans 8:17, we recognize that we are God’s “children.” However, we also notice that we are only “heirs of God” so far as we are “joint-heirs with Christ.” It is clear that son-ship is granted upon union with Christ. Therefore, it is on the natural and merited rights of Jesus the Son of God that we can be called the children of God. Now, if our adoption stands upon our union with Christ, then any petition to God as “Father” must be grounded upon all that our Elder Brother is for us. Thus, if we are children of God because we are joint-heirs with Christ, our recognition of God as our heavenly Father signifies our coming in Jesus’ name. Consider the blessing our Elder Brother provides for us. We have no access to this blessed privilege on our own. However, being joint-heirs with Christ and because of Christ, we have the loving affection of the King of heaven as we kneel in prayer. Furthermore, as believers, we desire to stand holy, blameless, and pleasing before God. But what hope do we have for such a task? Christ has ordained us to prosper in piety and affords us a hearing with His Father as our Father, so that our requests before God for thriving in godliness shall be granted. What a privilege it is to be brought into this holy family! Children of God, rejoice in your adoption, recognizing that having a heavenly Father’s love backed by the authority of a redeeming Elder Brother provides much comfort and hope. -JTC

Pre-Order: by calling 616-977-0599 or clicking here. 

There is a new book being published by Reformation Heritage Books coming out June 3rd. Heirs with Christ: The Puritans on Adoption, by Dr. Joel R. Beeke will survey the beauty that lies in the Puritan’s firm belief in the doctrine of Spiritual Adoption. Below is some of the information that is on the book. Later this week, there will be more information about the book, samples from the book, and what you can expect to read in Heirs with Christ. 

Description: The Puritans have gotten bad press for their supposed lack of teaching on the doctrine of spiritual adoption. In Heirs with Christ, Joel R. Beeke dispels this caricature and shows that the Puritan era did more to advance the idea that every true Christian is God’s adopted child than any other age of church history. This little book lets the Puritans speak for themselves, showing how they recognized adoption’s far-reaching, transforming power and comfort for the children of God.

About the Author: JoeL R. Beeke is pastor of Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan, President and Professor of Systematic Theology and Homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, and a prolific author. 

Endorsements: Heirs with Christ: The Puritans on Adoption
“Dr. Beeke is well-known for his landmark work setting the record straight on the Puritan doctrine of assurance. Now he comes to our aid again with a superb treatment of the Puritans on adoption. I welcome his expert entry into this important field, and commend his keen insights and careful analysis to all who are interested in knowing ‘what the Puritans really said’ about adoption.”—Ligon Duncan

“In this short but spiritually substantive book, Dr. Beeke—a wise and careful ‘pastor theologian’ in the best sense of both words—introduces us to the Puritans’ comforting and transforming work on spiritual adoption. More than just historically informative, this volume should be warmly welcomed by all Christians who want to learn more about this crucial aspect of our identity as sons of God and joint-heirs with Christ.” —Justin Taylor

Pre-Order: by calling 616-977-0599 or clicking here.