"You have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'"
Abba! Father! These two words of Paul to the Romans (8:15) capture the intimate freedom of a child dearly loved and in love with his Father. "Daddy," the redeemed believer cries to God, and does so in overflow of a refreshing work of His Spirit. The cry expresses a deep and direct experience between human heart and divine person. No wonder these words are an exclamation! They are put before us as a reality, a promise, and a hope!
But for too many the exclamations of "Abba! Father!" have been replaced by pressing questions.
- Abba? Father? What exactly does it mean that God is"Father"? And isn't God the Father of everyone?
- Abba? Father? How are such names to comfort those whose fathers on earth have been at best a disappointment, at worst a torment?
- Abba? Father? Isn't Jesus Christ the only true Son of the Father? How can I claim a filial relationship to God when I'm hardly like Christ?
- Abba? Father? At least that means I have some sort of inheritance, right? What does a divine heir's future look like?
- Abba? Father? What are the benefits of adoption in this life? Is it just another way of talking about heaven, or are there consequences for today as well?
- Abba? Father? Why does the Scripture seem to overlook women in its talk of adoption? Why adoption as sons? Why not daughters too?
- Abba? Father? What am I supposed to make of the fact that God seems distant and unconcerned about my Christian experience? Am I missing something?
We are excited to devote the 2009 Princeton Regional Conference on Reformed Theology to the New Testament teachings of sonship. Children and Heirs: God's Glorious Adoption will be held in the historic Miller Chapel at Princeton Theological Seminary on Friday and Saturday, November 6-7, 2009. Our prayerful intention is to provide a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the biblical and Trinitarian doctrines of adoption, one that will strengthen your faith, address your questions, and renew an exuberant hope in God as your Abba, your Father! Our two plenary speakers, Dr. Joel Beeke and Dr. Robert Peterson, have both persevered in a thorough-going commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ; each has written and taught with expertise on the themes of adoption; each has a proven ability to preach Christ-centered theology with power.
Please join us for a rich program of expository preaching and teaching, God-exalting music, and warm fellowship. We know you will be blessed as we worship together our Triune God, who has made available to us the liberties and privileges of the children of God.
