Inspire, Fall 2004

A doption has become a popular passion. These days, our hearts break at the plight of abandoned or orphaned children whether here in our own country or from Eastern Europe or Asia. In fact, of the 120,000 adoptions in the United States last year, more than 20,000 of them involved children from another country. Adoptions occur for any combination of three reasons: to ensure the continuation of a family name and inheritance; to provide a loving environment for a child without a family; and to provide emotional and social benefits to the family desiring the child. Families spend thousands of dollars and wait months (sometimes years) to adopt a child. At any one time, more than half a million families are seeking to adopt. But adoption has not always held an honored place in society. While the ancient Romans and Greeks had elaborate laws for adoptions, by the middle of the 1500s it was rarely practiced in the West and even denounced by many church leaders. Records are scarce for any hint of formalizing adoptions in the period following, although informal adoptions took place. Laws giving guidance for adoption and assistance to orphaned children were non-existent in the United States until 1851. Since then, adoption has grown in favor among Americans as a powerful act of choice and family commitment. Why has adoption gained such widespread acceptance? Because it is an act of love close to the heart of God. It is no wonder that our Lord speaks so clearly of His relationship with us as an adoptive Father. God’s desire to bring us into the family explodes from the pages of the New Testament. It is interesting that Jewish law has little to say about adoption and has no regulations for its practice. In fact, the two adoptions recorded in the Old Testament were the result of Egyptian (Moses) and Persian (Esther) laws. But through the work of Christ, God chose us as His children according to “His pleasure and will” (Ephesians 1:5). The Holy Spirit we receive is “the Spirit of adoption” so that we can call God “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15). God found us helpless and homeless. He did not give us His hand; He gave us His heart. God’s most intimate and unchangeable promises come to us because we are His children, adopted forever into the family. “Adoption is when a child grew in its mommy’s heart instead of her tummy.” —Anonymous child President’s Pen Dr. Bill Brown President Inspire 5 What’s Abuzz Fall Bible Conference set the academic year off to a great start with Dr. Bill Brown, CU president, and Dr. Tim Kimmel, founder and executive director of Family Matters TM , speaking on being salt and light to our culture. From August 23 to August 26, Dr. Brown and Dr. Kimmel delivered a whirlwind primer on bright, salty, practical Christian living. Dr. Brown focused on steps to being a light, while Dr. Kimmel covered everything from choosing a profession and doing it well to finding a mate, rearing children, handling money wisely, and having a passion for God. Some of Dr. Kimmel’s themes included “10 Things You Absolutely Must Know Before You Leave Cedarville,” “Why Christian Kids Sometimes Rebel,” “Three Fatal Flaws of Growing Up in a Christian Environment,” and “The Three Biggest Decisions You’ll Ever Make.” Dr. Kimmel is one of America’s top advocates for the family today. He conducts conferences across the country on the unique pressures that confront today’s families. Audiocassettes, CDs, or DVDs of one or all of the conference sessions can be ordered by calling the CDR Radio Network at 1-800-333-0601. nline Services • Discussion Forums: Post ideas and helpful information about the area you live in, your program of study, or an Inspire topic. • E-mail for Life: Obtain a CU e-mail account for FREE! i relations at et your password. Got Salt?