Editorial

The theme of this issue of Foundations is the doctrine of adoption, a doctrine not always highlighted in church life, Christian discipleship, and theological studies. There are four articles, each one looking at the doctrine from a different viewpoint. 

In the first article, Tim Trumper surveys the ways the doctrine has been approached in the past and how it could be explored in the future. The second article is by David McKay and considers what the Old Testament says about divine sonship. Dan Peters deals with the important matter of preaching about the doctrine of adoption. The fourth article is about a notable Scottish publication on sonship and the fatherhood of God by a leading Scottish theologian in nineteenth-century Scotland, and Malcolm Maclean describes its contents and some responses to it. 

There are two book reviews. Mark Thomas takes us through Philip Eveson’s recent book, Baptised with Heavenly Power, which focuses on Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ theology of the Holy Spirit and his emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit in revival and in preaching.

The other book reviewed is Tim Trumper’s Adoption: A Road to Retrieval. Thomas Davis of Edinburgh Theological Seminary assesses the author’s explanations of three key areas: the theological history of adoption, the metaphorical import of adoption, and the biblical exposition of adoption, and observes that the author provides a comprehensive theological history of adoption, presents a rigorous investigation of the Scriptural teaching concerning adoption, and offers a fresh approach to the wider study of systematic theology.

Malcolm MacLean
Editor of Foundations
Editor of the Mentor imprint of Christian Focus Publications

Spring 2026