The Adoption of Sons: A Practical and Experimental Treatise (Thomas Houston)

Description

Amazing grace is when God justifies a sinner. But there is something even more amazing – when God adopts that sinner and includes him or her as a ‘son’ in His family. Thomas Houston (1803-82) takes us through the key doctrinal, practical, and experimental aspects of the precious subject of God’s adoption of sons.

Table of Contents

Publisher’s Preface
Foreword by Rev. Ian Macleod
Biographical Sketch of Thomas Houston by Rev. Stephen Steele
Introduction

1. The family of God
2. The origin and nature of sonship
3. The believer’s relation to God the Father
4. The believer’s relation to Christ
5. The believer’s relation to the Holy Spirit
6. Fellowship in the adopted family
7. The spirit of the adopted
8. The work of the children of God on earth
9. The privileges of sonship
10. The government and discipline of the family
11. Lack of evidence of our sonship
12. The future manifestation of the sons of God
13. The Father’s house
14. Practical uses of the adoption of sons

Appendices
Appendix 1 – The Fatherhood of God
Appendix 2 – Manton on the witness of the Spirit
Appendix 3 – Luther on the witness of the Spirit
Appendix 4 – Behold, the Bridegroom cometh!

Author

Thomas Houston (1803-82) was the foremost Irish Reformed Presbyterian of the nineteenth century. He was a gifted preacher, a prolific author, a magazine editor, and a theology professor. He combined strict adherence to his denomination’s distinctive principles with a warm catholicity; whilst strongly committed to the seventeenth century covenants, he was also at home among nineteenth century evangelicals. ~ from the Biographical Sketch by Rev. Stephen Steele

Endorsements

“… theologically profound and warmly devotional.”

– Edward Donnelly, New Testament Professor Emeritus at Reformed Theological College (Belfast, Northern Ireland)

“In my opinion, Thomas Houston’s The Adoption of Sons is superior to all of these [contemporary] volumes and has been unduly neglected.”

– Dr. Joel R. Beeke, President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary (Grand Rapids, Michigan)

“The nineteenth century had a number of theological highlights and not the least of those was the great advancement of the doctrine of adoption. Professor Murray called this doctrine “the apex of the gospel,” which alone suggests the importance of the doctrine. One usually thinks of the Candlish-Crawford exchanges in Scotland that greatly stimulated biblical-theological thought on this beautiful doctrine. Here in the States, contributions were made by Thornwell, but especially Girardeau. However, a greatly overlooked work came to the church from the Irish Presbyterian, Thomas Houston. I recall discovering this gem while researching for my dissertation and being helped in my view of both ecclesiology and soteriology. I had to reach all the way to Great Britain to find a copy in a library and settle for a pathetic photocopy for my use all these years. So, needless to say, I’m thrilled that I can now enjoy a readable text. I commend this volume highly and hope you find great benefit for your soul from having read it.”

– Dr. C. N. Willborn, Pastor, Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA; Oak Ridge, Tennessee); Professor of Church History, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (Taylors, South Carolina)

From the Preface to Houston’s Collected Works (1876)

It may be in some measure declared that there are no books in the language which discuss the subject of which this treats in the same full way of didactic instruction, and for the like practical objects and ends. It may therefore be hoped that it will be found of permanent value in Christian families, and to persons in different positions in the church (v-vi).