Adoption: What Joseph of Nazareth Can Teach Us about This Countercultural Choice

by Russell D. Moore

Joseph of Nazareth was a good and honorable man. The adoptive father of Jesus, he stood by his wife and raised her son—even when it appeared that she had betrayed him. Such is the love of adoption. But this love stands in stark contrast to what we see in our world today: on-demand abortion, unreported abuse, and widespread neglect.

Adapted from Russell Moore’s influential book Adopted for Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families and Churches, this short volume calls Christians to seriously consider adoption for their own families and thus take a stand for children—born and unborn.

Genres: Adoption, Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Parenting, Theology, Christianity

64 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2015

About the author

Russell D. Moore is President of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, the Southern Baptist Convention’s official entity assigned to address social, moral, and ethical concerns.

Dr. Moore earned a B.S. in history and political science from the University of Southern Mississippi. He also received the M.Div. in biblical studies from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and the Ph.D. in systematic theology from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

He blogs frequently at his “Moore to the Point” website, and is the author or editor of five books, including Tempted and Tried: Temptation and the Triumph of Christ, Adopted for Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families and Churches, and The Kingdom of Christ: The New Evangelical Perspective. In addition to these, Dr. Moore is also the author of dozens of academic articles and essays within the field of systematic theology and Christian ethics. He also serves as Senior Editor of Touchstone: A Journal of Mere Christianity.

Reviews

[Elizabeth Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, but good food for thought!

"Joseph probably had no idea that he was a living reenactment of the deliverance of Israel from Egypt. He probably never thought about the fact he was serving as an icon of his God. He just did what seemed right, in obedience to the Word of God. But he was participating in something dramatic—in every sense of the word." (Loc 313)

"A congregation that exults in new life, from the pulpit and from the pew, is a congregation that’s going to cause onlookers to ask why." (Loc 383)

"Not every believer will stand praying outside an abortion clinic . Not every believer will take a pregnant teenager into his or her guest bedroom. Not every believer is called to adopt children. But every believer is called to recognize Jesus in the face of his little brothers and sisters when he decides to show up in their lives, even if it interrupts everything else." (Loc 448)

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought Moore's larger Adopted For Life book and picked this up as an impulse buy at the same time. Haven't read the larger book yet but this one was excellent. Seems like a very good primer on God's attitude to adoption. With a large focus on Joseph. Would highly recommend.

[Brian Pinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading what Mr Moore says about adoption because he is pretty much a subject matter expert. The book is interesting in that it did make me think of Joseph in a new way and what challenges and joys he likely had.

[Matthew Manchester · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a simple premise: to explain why adoption is something from the Christian worldview and scriptures and to show *why* it is counter-cultural. It's not a help guide to adopt and neither is it supposed to be. It's a wake-up call, a reminder, to the church that as we have been adopted so should we adopt as the Lord enables and leads.

[Samuel Bierig · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great read! Very inciteful stuff from Moore here.

[Lexi Zuo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book so much!!! A short, simple, but beautifully Biblical encouragement to remember the fatherless around the world!

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought (hoped) this book would be a well-cited paper, full of theological investigation into Joseph's role as an adoptive father of Christ and the metaphor for our own life Joseph's presents.
Instead, it felt like a rambling sermon, thrown together on a Saturday night. True, there were pieces of Scripture woven in and a few good tidbits that resembled "take-aways," but largely it felt tangential and more like a condemnation of Planned Parenthood, abortion, childless-by-choice, and childless people in general than a description of Joseph as a father, or how we should implement his example in modern times.

The best part of the booklet was the Preface, wherein the author challenges the readers to ponder:

"What would it mean if our churches and families were known as the people who adopt babies-- and toddlers, and children, and teenagers. What if we as Christians were known, once again, as the people who take in orphans, and make of them beloved sons and daughters?"

And then, later in the preface too:

"You have a stake in the adoption issue-- even if you never adopt a child... With that in mind, perhaps there are some changes to be made in our lives. For some of us, I hope this book changes the makeup of our households. For some of us, I hope it helps to change our monthly bank account balances. For all of us, I hope it changes something of the way we say 'brother' and 'sister' in our pews next Sunday, and they way we cry out 'Father' on our knees tonight."

For all of my disappointment in the rest of the book, I feel like this quote should be used before every discussion about adoption and orphan care as part of the Church's mission.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for the message

This is a really good look at God's plan for adoption, and even support of it, by looking to the example of St. Joseph of Nazareth.

Moore's reflections on the likeness of Planned Parenthood, Herod, and Pharaoh make me want to look into those sections of the Bible on a deeper level. Though I always heard about Herod and his evil plan for the baby Jesus every year growing up, it was the PG version and usually ended with the wise men going home a different way to avoid telling Herod where the baby King was, Joseph spiriting Mary and Jesus off to Egypt, and no blood shed whatsoever. That's definitely not how the story ended.

I also want to learn more about Joseph. This booklet dug into his duty and role as an adopted father very well, but I think I want some more resources.

As a Catholic, I couldn't agree with everything Moore presented as fact (such as Mary and Joseph having children together and John being Jesus' biological brother), and other things that differ between denominations, but it was still a great start to looking at adoption the way God looks at it and not the way the world does.

Very good resource to learn from as a Christian.

[Emmie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short book on Adoption is a necessary read for Christians/Bible believers today. Western churchianity on the whole has given up on this important part of YHWH's heart and it needs to be brought to the forefront. Using Joseph, the earthly father of Yeshua, Moore shows the heart of the Father for orphans. What a breath of fresh air to see an emphasis on Joseph and his part in the rearing of YHWH's Son!

Perhaps the most disturbing realization was to see Margaret Sanger's view of children, family and life and see how the majority of the "Christian", or perhaps more accurately "Churchianity" in the west has the same view as her about these important issues. It's not as obvious, but it comes with the neglect of family and children, passing judgement instead of helping, and treating children as a burden to be controlled and managed as a whole. This description shows that western Christianity is categorically not pro-life, but merely anti-abortion.

There were a couple of theological issues and errors made, but the point of this book is well made and even with these errors make this book a worthwhile and challenging read!

[Candice Kraus · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading "The Storm-Tossed Family" I was really looking forward to this one. Hoping that it would be a great little primer to share with others the beauty of adoption. I was just disappointed. It's tone seemed off, more angry than loving. The treatment of children should make people angry, but the tone just set me off. I admit that it may be my anticipation of a closer study of Joseph and the beauty of adoption that made this disappointing, but I'm also certain many people come to this small tome for that exact thing and it was lacking.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick primer to important topic

A short book with big impact. I’m grateful and personally challenged by this introduction to an important topic. If you’re curious to the “why” of adoption, from the point of view of Joseph, the father of Jesus, then this is a great option!

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short read that packs a punch. It turns out this booklet is a revised section of Moore’s book, “Adopted for Life.” If your willing to dive in “Moore” deeply, then read “Adopted for Life,” but if not this is a good book that should drive Christians to pure and undefiled religion (James 1:27).

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting take, but the author persists with the assumption that the opposite of adoption is abortion

[David Bronson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moore's on point once again. I love the use of Joseph's example a springboard for this topic (he might be my favorite under-examined biblical figure). Beautifully done, and doxological, too.

[Anya · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5

I appreciate what the author is trying to say, but I had some issues with the way the book flowed. Maybe I’ll try giving it another read later on.

[Tom Robson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really helpful on the theme and practice of adoption.

[Katie Kreamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
A wonderful look at adoption using Joseph (earthly father of Jesus) as an example for how Christians should participate in loving the children who need it!

[Janette Kern]

Gives a good perspective for adoption that most Christians don't see.

[Sarah Bramlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this! Helped me to see Joseph in a new light and gain perspective on adoption.

[Michael Boling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I humbly admit I have a bit of a bias when it comes to reading a book on the subject of adoption. You see my wife and I made the decision to adopt our daughter a little over three years ago despite the concerns posed by many, the questions we had about taking a pre-teen into our home to be our daughter, financial worries about the cost of the adoption process, among many other issues we wrestled with. One thing is certain and that is we were confident God had called us to adopt. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions of our life.

Adoption is not an easy road to walk and not everyone is called to take a child into their home to be theirs. With that said, all believers are called by God to be involved in taking care of the orphans and the fatherless. Russell Moore, in his helpful little book called Adoption: What Joseph of Nazareth Can Teach Us About This Countercultural Choice, drives home the importance of helping those in need in a way that will assuredly be a kick in the pants for some and a source of reassurance for others that have become engaged in this importance issue.

Moore uses Joseph the earthly father of Jesus as the example of what someone might face who adopts or dares to go against the cultural tide to care for the plethora of children who need a home. He notes the actions of Joseph often take a back seat when we examine the birth of Jesus. This is unfortunate because we can learn quite a bit from how Joseph followed the leading of God and stepped in as the adopted father of Jesus. Moore aptly comments, “Joseph’s fatherhood is significant for us precisely because of the way the gospel anchors it to the fatherhood of God himself.” He goes on to rightly note, “Joseph is unique in one sense. He is called to provide for and protect the Christ of God. But in other ways Joseph is not unique at all. All of us, as followers of Christ, are called to protect children.”

The Church and her leaders often write and speak on the need to evangelize. With that said, we often forget that reaching out to those in need is a function of evangelism and sharing the gospel, be that the unwed teenage mother who is scared to death and feels the only option is an abortion, whether that is an abused child who needs a loving place and parents who will care and protect, or whether that means financially supporting organizations around the world that reach out to children who sit in orphanages waiting for someone to lend them a loving hand and a permanent home. Moore drives this reality home throughout this book and I truly hope the reader will pick up on that urgent message and will in turn help transform the lives of these children in the manner God has called them.

We live in a culture that believes children are a burden and a drag on our ability to enjoy life to the fullest. When children get in the way, they are discarded. This societal thought process is antithetical to what we find in Scripture, namely God’s continued call to His people to care for the orphans and fatherless. As Moore has demonstrated through the life of Joseph and his care for our Savior, reaching out sometimes comes at a financial, emotional, and even relational cost to those who answers God’s call. In the end however, doing the work God has called us, whether that is adopting a child or helping those who God has called to take such a step is what the gospel is all about.

I truly enjoyed this small yet helpful book by Dr. Moore. It definitely a must read and I encourage those who do take the time to read it to look for ways to share the love of God with children who so desperately need help and hope. If your church is not engaged in helping the innocent, speak with your pastor and church leaders about ways to get involved as a local community of believers. If God has not called you to adopt, then reach out financially in whatever way possible to help those who are setting aside the comforts of life to help a child. God has called all of us to this mission and Dr. Moore has provided a call to action. Will you answer the call? I trust you will and those who read this book will be motivated to do so.

I received this book for free from Crossway Books and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Jonny Grubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read it with tears—some hopeful, some convicting—because Russell doesn’t treat adoption as a polite humanitarian footnote. He frames it as spiritual warfare. And honestly, that landed with weight for me.

When an entire culture can look at a vulnerable, beating heart in the womb and call its destruction preferable to entrusting that child to a non-biological but loving home… something in our world is profoundly disordered. Adoption becomes more than paperwork and patience; it becomes an act of resistance against the darkness that tries to swallow the little ones whole.

If this book inspires even a few more parents to pick up their courage, square their shoulders, and do battle with the Dragon on behalf of a forgotten child, then it’s worth every glowing star I can give it. For me, it felt like an impassioned plea—a reminder that adoption is not merely beautiful; it’s part of the long, bright work of redemption. 🎈

[Kyle McQuinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know why, but it never occurred to me before that Joseph was truly Jesus’ adoptive father. Being in a family where we adopted my sister, adoption has always been a blessing in my eyes. This book helps to show how Joseph is an example of an adoptive parent and that adoption is a Biblical concept. Thanks Dr. Moore for this read and also your personal experience as an adoptive father as well.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short but really good book. Originally chapter 3 in Moore's larger book Adopted for Life, it is a great primer for the subject of creating an adoption culture within our families and within our churches. At only 64 pages, this little booklet packs a punch, causing the reader to reflect on the forgotten half of the virgin birth, namely, Joseph's adoption of Jesus. Moore argues that not every person in the church is called to have six kids, nor is every family called to adopt, but that doesn't mean that as Christians we don't have a stake in this issue. Moore writes, "Not every believer will stand praying outside an abortion clinic. Not every believer will take a pregnant teenager into his or her guest bedroom. Not every believer is called to adopt children. But every believer is called to recognize Jesus in the face of his little brothers and sisters when he decides to show up in their lives, even if it interrupts everything else."

Yes, adoption is countercultural in our society today, but it is a form of spiritual warfare that needs to be engaged in by many more people in the church today. Every person is created in the image of God and deserves to be loved and treated with dignity and respect. If they are unloved by their bio parents, then it is up to us to fill in that gap and demonstrate the gospel in tangible action to love what others have called unlovable. Moore again writes, "Think of how odd it must seem to American secularists to see Christians adopting a baby whose body trembles with an addiction to the cocaine her mother sent through her bloodstream before birth. Think of the kind of credibility such action lends to the proclamation of our gospel." And to this I say, "Amen."

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crossway is releasing a new booklet by Russell Moore based on his book, Adopted for Life. In it, Moore makes the same case that he does in his earlier work but presents in in 60 pages as opposed to a couple of hundred, making this important work on this important topic that much more accessible.

Moore does a great job of giving a reasoned and forceful plea for Christians to care for the fatherless. Moore is not naïve enough to believe that everyone is called or capable of adoption, but he definitely encourages all believers to follow the mandate of Scripture in making the care for orphans a priority in our ministries and in our lives.

Moore presents a forceful case that rightly appeals to the heart of the reader. However, to his credit and to the great benefit of the reader and the cause, Moore does not stoop to guilt-trip or manipulation. He encourages, he pleads, he reasons from Scripture, he educates, he leads by example, and he pours out his heart. And the result is a challenging, encouraging, and convicting little booklet that will, hopefully, find its way into the hands of many people who will be prompted to make a difference in the lives of those who are most vulnerable, most fragile, and most in need.

I received a review copy of this book.

[Brandon Stiver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good booklet that had a lot of information and viewpoints that I hadn't heard yet. Russell Moore is of course among the leaders in Christian adoption/orphan care ministry and this was my first time reading him myself. I know I'll do so again. The theme of Joseph is compelling and ties the chapters together however loosely. You never really stop to think about Jesus Himself being adopted and what that would have meant for Joseph, but it was a critical part to God's overall plan. The subtitle for the book is very telling and apropos. Having just finished our own adoption process of our son Moses, I realize more than ever just how countercultural adoption really is and yet even more so how important it is for Christians to pursue. We are supposed to be countercultural. Moore also underscores the ties between adoption and the abortion crisis in the world which is timely as so much is currently swirling around Planned Parenthood in the states right now. I got this book for free on Amazon and it was well worth the read. Being as it was so short, I'll probably read it through again in the near future.

[Mary Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was not at all what I expected. I read from another review that this is supposed to be an excerpt from a larger book and after reading this, I don't know if I could read the whole book. I was drawn to this booklet thinking it would speak more of Joseph's role in the adoption of Jesus, however it turned out to be a booklet filled with the author's very opinionated views on abortion, Planned Parenthood and adoption on the church. I have not come away feeling a need to adopt, but wondering how the non-Christian may react to these views.

[Karyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book left me thinking. While I might not agree with every word (although I'm still processing it all), Moore gives a compelling argument and, I believe, an accurate portrayal of what God has called His people to do. Moore points out how adoption is as much evangelism as what we identify as "evangelism." Moore's approach, looking at the choice of Joseph to father Jesus, is helpful--almost always overlooked. Honestly, I would encourage any Christian to read it; if nothing else, it will give another perspective.

[Jacob Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this short book that briefly examines the theology of adoption that permeates the entire Bible but especially in the story of Joseph, the adoptive father of the Messiah. One of the great principles that this book teaches is that supporting adoption does not mean that someone has to actually adopt a young child. It's about creating a culture among our churches that values all life and creates a safe place where pregnancies that occur in crisis situations can be supported in a way that avoids the snuffing out of the unborn life. I can't recommend this book enough.

[Carl Jenkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apparently this is the condensed version of a much larger book. In it, Moore uses Joseph, father of Jesus, as a starting point for a call for a Christian culture that embraces adoption. It's summed up in three chapters, and while the first two are good reads, the third just didn't seem as well thought out to me. A lot of it seemed to be more alarmist or fear based. Overall though, I believe he makes some very good points about adoption, especially in a theological view point.

[Jaquelle Ferris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short book, just three chapters (plus a prologue and epilogue) drawing from the narrative of Joseph of Narazeth to showcase the Christian's biblical response to care for orphans. There wasn't much nitty-gritty practical stuff (I imagine there's more to do with that in Moore's expanded "Adopted for Life") but the framework surrounding the theology of adoption was excellent. Highly recommended.