Adoption: A Biblical and Theological Exposition of a Neglected Doctrine
Rev. Angus Stewart examines adoption as a biblically-grounded yet theologically neglected doctrine of the Reformed faith, tracing its treatment from the early church through the Reformation and the Three Forms of Unity. The article explores how adoption relates to both the historia salutis (history of salvation) and the ordo salutis (order of salvation), arguing that this doctrine deserves greater prominence in Reformed theology and practice. Stewart demonstrates that while Calvin and the Reformed confessions recognized adoption's importance, it has not received the systematic theological development it warrants.
Rev. Angus Stewart (Slightly developed from an article first published in the British Reformed Journal) Contents - (I) A Neglected Doctrine - (II) Adoption and the Historia Salutis - (III) Adoption and the Ordo Salutis - (IV) Conclusion (I) A Neglected Doctrine The doctrine of God’s gracious adoption of elect sinners has received inadequate treatment in the church.1 In the early church, Christ’s Deity and eternal sonship were the vital issues that the fathers faced, rather than our...