I think that adoption (as we know it today) actually is in the Bible.  Despite my earlier post on the subject, stating that it is not. . .  This is because there are striking parallels to slavery in the Bible and adoption as we know it today.

 

But I haven’t done a 180 or changed my mind.  I’m as convinced as ever that most modern day adoption is actually so horrible and such a grave human rights violation that it has an uncanny resemblance to something that is spoken of throughout the Bible: Slavery

 

Which would mean technically that adoption IS in the Bible.  Just under a different name.

 

And I’d like to share that with you.

 

If you are offended or think I am wrong, the worst thing you could do is stop reading.  Please don’t.  Instead, pick this apart and challenge me.  Use the Bible to defend adoption and show me where I am wrong.  Iron sharpens iron.

 

But I think that I am right.  And I think that the church is very confused and on the wrong side of the adoption issue just like the church was very confused and on the wrong side of the slavery issue until 150 years ago.  Adoption is a socially acceptable practice in general (as slavery was), it is practiced among even the elite, and it is endorsed by the church, and applauded as commendable.  And people are profiting off of it, just as people profited off of slavery.

 

ADOPTION / SLAVERY

“Adoption” is recorded as early as the book of Genesis and continues to be discussed all throughout the Old Testament.  You probably remember reading about it.

 

“Adoption” in the Bible took place in many areas, it took on many forms, it was practiced by many nations and people groups throughout biblical history, and the same people that practiced “adoption” also had their own “adopted” from them, depending on the change of fortune.

 

Seemingly, no one in biblical time was untouched by “adoption” or immune.  It was widely practiced, socially accepted, and sometimes it was even voluntarily submitted to.

 

What I am referring to above as “adoption” in the Bible is actually slavery.  Below I will discuss more of those things it shares in common with adoption in this century.

 

SIMILARITIES

A person is taken from his homeland, people, culture, and heritage, usually at a young age, but not always.  This person is thought to have no rights, or say, in the matter.

 

Money, wealth or goods are often exchanged for the person, whether he is bought individually or as a group sale.  Sometimes the adopted person is just taken.

 

He is brought to a new land, to live with strangers who will in many instances become the only family he will ever know.  He must adopt their culture, customs, and preferences in order to survive.

 

He may be embraced as a son by those who take him and live a life of luxury, or he may face a harsh and bitter existence and toil the rest of this life, but his heart will always be with his people and the land of his birth.

 

He will generally have no contact with people from his previous life, or access to records or knowledge regarding his origin.  The length of his stay is determined by those who obtain him (they have been known to sometimes relinquish people in this situation with pressure from outside influences or with the passing of time, new laws, and changing of circumstances), but it is usually for life.

 

He will generally have little or no choice in regards to marrying someone from his country or heritage of origin, and the same goes for having children and grandchildren that resemble him.

 

Eventually, the person may be reunited with his people.  If he is returned to his homeland or family (or comes to meet them in some way), they will generally be unable to fully and articulately communicate because they will not share a common language.  If they do share a common language they will not share similar customs or backgrounds.

 

They do not have a shared life history.

 

SUMMARY

But this is where the similarity abruptly ends.  Because in the Bible, reunification and restoration of people who were once slaves are celebrated as victories.

 

In modern day adoption, reunification and restoration are perpetually hindered through adoptions laws, legally binding contracts, and closed records . . . enacted and enforced by people who think they are doing the Lord’s work.  The church will gather to pray against reunification.  It will call special meetings to pray for the separation of children from their families.

 

In the Bible, slavery is mourned.  Adoption today is celebrated.

 

We need to change the way we look at things to ask God to open our eyes, open our hearts, and minds to seeing the truth about adoption.

 

-RM