LE3 .A278 2018

2018

Robbins, Anna

Acadia University

Master of Arts

Masters

Theology

Acadia Divinity College

The study of the doctrine of adoption has drawn increasing interest in recent years. Adoption has often been considered a part of justification and as such it has not always enjoyed the interest granted to other doctrines, such as justification and sanctification. This study engages the thought of the Dutch Reformed theologian Dr. Herman Bavinck (1854-1921) and his concept of adoption in light of his theological conceptions of justification and sanctification. Bavinck wove the concept of adoption into his discussion of justification and sanctification, through union with Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. However, he does not offer an explicit theology of adoption. This lack yields deficiencies in his consideration of active sanctification, contradicting the active Christ-focused public life that Bavinck lived. Placing a greater emphasis on adoption may have helped him forge more clearly the connection between justification and sanctification without relegating active sanctification to a second-class status.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:2713