Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach

“There are but two families in the world, and to one of the two every man and woman belongs,” Boston writes. “One is Satan’s family, the other God’s.” All humans are born into the family of Satan because we are all born as sinners. God’s effectual calling draws sinners out of Satan’s family and brings them into God’s family. Participating in the “external and federal” adoption “which is common to the members of the visible church” is not enough, Boston says. One must receive “an internal and saving adoption” by effectual calling, or regeneration by the Spirit, and conversion.

Joel R. Beeke, “Thomas Boston on Praying to Our Father,” in Taking Hold of God: Reformed and Puritan Perspectives on Prayer, ed. Brian G. Najapfour (Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2011), 162.

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Comment

I am working my way through the book, Taking Hold of God, Reformed and Puritan Perspectives on Prayer. Last year, I posted a series on prayer, using Matthew Henry as the source. I have arrived at the chapter featuring Thomas Boston. I am not sure whether I will post a series of these, but today’s subheading, “The Spirit of Adoption as the Life of Prayer” (full text below), was one I could not ignore.

Examining Boston’s quote, we see two clear biblical doctrines: the distinction between good and evil (mankind’s sin nature) and that only God can pull man from the grasp of Satan (adoption).

I have great respect for Thomas Boston’s writings; however, I would like to point out that the phrase by effectual calling, or regeneration should read by effectual calling, and regeneration. Although these two terms are closely related in theological contexts, there are differences that warrant attention.

The simplest way I can explain this is that God, through the Holy Spirit, calls His elect. It is just that, a call to come to Him for life eternal. Regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit in us to answer the call. Boston overall works would seem to agree with this. In fact, the full text below begins with this distinction. Also see Order of Salvation Chart (Ordo Salutis) at the end of the post.

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Definitions/References

Adoption. God’s act of making otherwise estranged human beings part of God’s spiritual family by including them as inheritors of the riches of divine glory. This adoption takes place through our receiving in faith the work of Jesus Christ the Son (Jn 3:16), being born of the Spirit (Jn 3:5–6) and receiving the Spirit of adoption (Rom 8:15–16).

Stanley Grenz, David Guretzki, and Cherith Fee Nordling, Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 1999), 7.

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ADOPTION—the giving to any one the name and place and privileges of a son who is not a son by birth.
(1.) Natural. Thus Pharaoh’s daughter adopted Moses (Ex. 2:10), and Mordecai Esther (Esther 2:7).
(2.) National. God adopted Israel (Ex. 4:22; Deut. 7:6; Hos. 11:1; Rom. 9:4).
(3.) Spiritual. An act of God’s grace by which he brings men into the number of his redeemed family, and makes them partakers of all the blessings he has provided for them. Adoption represents the new relations into which the believer is introduced by justification, and the privileges connected therewith, viz., an interest in God’s peculiar love (John 17:23; Rom. 5:5–8), a spiritual nature (2 Pet. 1:4; John 1:13), the possession of a spirit becoming children of God (1 Pet. 1:14; 2 John 4; Rom. 8:15–21; Gal. 5:1; Heb. 2:15), present protection, consolation, supplies (Luke 12:27–32; John 14:18; 1 Cor. 3:21–23; 2 Cor. 1:4), fatherly chastisements (Heb. 12:5–11), and a future glorious inheritance (Rom. 8:17, 23; James 2:5; Phil. 3:21).

M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary and Treasury of Biblical History, Biography, Geography, Doctrine, and Literature (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1893), 20–21.

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ADOPTION. Gen. 15:3. Of Children.
Instances of: Of Joseph’s sons, Gen. 48:5, 14, 16, 22. Of Moses, Ex. 2:5–10; Acts 7:21; Heb. 11:24. Of Esther, Esth. 2:7.
Spiritual: Ex. 4:22, 23; Num. 6:27 Deut. 28:10; 2 Chr. 7:14; Isa. 43:7. Deut. 14:1; Deut. 26:18; Deut. 27:9; Deut. 32:5, 6; 2 Sam. 7:14; 1 Chr. 22:10 1 Chr. 28:6. Prov. 14:26; Isa. 8:18; Isa. 43:6; Isa. 63:16 v. 8.; Jer. 3:19; Jer. 31:9, 20; Hos. 1:9, 10; Hos. 11:1; Matt. 5:9, 45; Matt. 13:43; Luke 6:35; John 1:12, 13; John 11:52; Acts 15:17; Rom. 8:14–17, 19, 21, 29; Rom. 9:8 v. 26; 2 Sam. 7:14; Heb. 1:5. 2 Cor. 6:17, 18; Gal. 3:26, 29; Gal. 4:5–7; Eph. 1:5; Eph. 2:19; Eph. 3:6, 15; Phil. 2:15; Heb. 2:10, 11, 13; Heb. 12:6, 7, 9; 1 John 3:1, 2, 10; 1 John 4:4; Rev. 21:7

James Swanson and Orville Nave, New Nave’s Topical Bible (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, 1994).

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Regeneration. The manifestation of God’s *election, regeneration refers specifically to the new birth given by the Holy Spirit, bringing life to those who were spiritually dead. Regeneration is closely associated with doctrines such as *effectual calling and *union with Christ, and this new birth results in a life of *repentance, *faith and obedience. In the Reformed tradition, *baptism serves as the outward symbol and promise of internal regeneration, demonstrating the new life that has already been or will be bestowed on the believer.

Kelly M. Kapic and Wesley Vander Lugt, Pocket Dictionary of the Reformed Tradition, The IVP Pocket Reference Series (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2013), 100–101.

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Regeneration. Inner cleansing and renewal of the human nature by the Holy Spirit. Mankind’s spiritual condition is transformed from a disposition of sin to one of a new relationship with God (Ti 3:5). Regeneration involves both moral restoration and the reception of new life. The idea of regeneration is expressed as rebirth—being born again (Jn 3:3–7). This new birth suggests the newness of life in Christ. The process of regeneration is not brought about by human righteousness but by the gracious act of God (Eph 2:8, 9)

Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, “Regeneration,” in Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 1830.

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In-depth Study of

Adoption

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REGENERATION

Regeneration and Effectual Calling by Louis Berkhof

Note this is a link to a free PDF version of Berkhof’s Systematic Theology. The part on Rgeneration and Effectual Calling begins on Page 515.

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Adoption and Prayer Thomas Boston

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