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Title: Biblical Sonship: An Evaluation of the Sonship Discipleship Course by Jay E. Adams ISBN: 1-889032-15-8 Publisher: Timeless Texts Inc Pub. Date: December, 1999 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $5.95

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Average Customer Rating: 3 (1 review)

Rating: 3
Summary: raises concerns but does not treat them thoroughly
Comment: I have been peripherally aware of the Sonship movement for over a decade, through the writings of Jack Miller, and through personal contact with several missionaries and staff members of World Harvest Mission (including the current executive director). Although I am very grateful for them, for their work, and for the increased attention on the doctrine of adoption that Sonship has engendered, I have sometimes had the sort of vague uneasiness about Sonship as a movement that Adams said he initially experienced and by which he was ultimately compelled to write this book.

The book first examines the personal background of the Millers (Jack Miller and Adams were on staff at WTS at the same time). Adams says he does so reluctantly and only because of the Sonship materials' dependence on personal anecdotes by the Millers.

The real meat of his argument is that the language of the Sonship materials is vague, that it uses Scripture to backup preconceived notions based on the Millers' experience rather than treating scripture exegetically, that it appropriates the methods of modern psychology, and that the theology of justification, sanctification, and adoption presented in the Sonship material is errant. Footnoted examples of each are provided, along with a brief analysis of how the error is lived out by movement participants. Adams has a tendency to overstate his case about the language used in Sonship. It is difficult to square his preference for precise technical language with the use of language in scripture itself. Similarly, one wonders if his concerns about Miller's doctrine is not at least to some extent the result of Miller using the terms in a less than strictly technical sense.

The greatest flaw in the book is that Adams does not make a positive statement of the doctrines about which he claims the Millers are in error. Adams says only that he holds to the historic Reformed position, but most Sonship advocates would make the same claim. The target of the book seems to be pastors and teachers rather than individual Christians curious about Sonship.

Additionally, I have concerns about the applicability of the book. Since its publication, the WTJ has published a briefer critique. I have not seen any responses from Sonship or WHM, but the materials have been revised in 2002. All in all, I found my concern increased, but my questions unanswered. I believe that it will still be necessary for me to attend a Sonship course to have an informed opinion.