tellville
Puritan Board Junior
This is an issue that I have been pondering. BJ sums it up the best in the "Bad Credo Arguments" thread.
Now, it seems to me, a consistent Baptist would acknowledge that Babies dying in infancy go to Hell, including the children of believers. I (currently) don't see any Biblical evidence that seems to suggest otherwise (God does have the freedom to save some infants and not others, but where does the Bible even bring that up?) Personally, I have no problems with infants going to Hell as I believe the Biblical doctrine of Total Depravity and children are just as much under the wrath of God as I am, whether the children are mine or someone else's.
Now I can imagine this sounds horrifyingly to a Padeobapitist. I don't really understand why because they would have no problems believing that an unbelieving family's child is going to Hell. Thus really, the only response I can imagine a Padeo giving to this post is either an emotional one (mainly at the horror that someone would suggest their dead child, or potentially dead child could be in Hell) or one that tries to prove the Padeo position, neither of which I am really interested in. Thus, if you're a Padeo, please only respond within the Baptist hermeneutic.
I also know this sounds horrifying to many Baptists, especially those of the Arminian persuasion.
Which finally leads me to my question: Does the Baptist doctrine of Baptism necessitate the idea that babies who die in infancy go to Hell?
And actually, now that I think about it, here is a question specifically aimed at Padeo's: Does your Padeo worldview state that all children of believers who die in infancy are guaranteed heaven? Or do you also subscribe to the usual Reform Baptist response that God is free to elect some and reprobate others?
I know this is probably a super touchy subject, so I apologize if the way I have stated the question (or maybe just asking the question period!) is offensive in any way.
BJ said:What I find interesting about this Baptist argument, which is the one I hear most often, is it forces the Baptist to exclude infants from the New Covenant. In which case, if they died in infancy, they would be in hell.
Of course, most Baptist dont believe that. I fact I don't know one that does. My closest Baptist friends believe God elects all infants. While others, like me when I was Baptist, believe you can't really know whether or not the are saved. However, neither option is open for Baptist who maintain the above syllogism for their case. I must confess, it was exhuasting being a Baptist.
Now, it seems to me, a consistent Baptist would acknowledge that Babies dying in infancy go to Hell, including the children of believers. I (currently) don't see any Biblical evidence that seems to suggest otherwise (God does have the freedom to save some infants and not others, but where does the Bible even bring that up?) Personally, I have no problems with infants going to Hell as I believe the Biblical doctrine of Total Depravity and children are just as much under the wrath of God as I am, whether the children are mine or someone else's.
Now I can imagine this sounds horrifyingly to a Padeobapitist. I don't really understand why because they would have no problems believing that an unbelieving family's child is going to Hell. Thus really, the only response I can imagine a Padeo giving to this post is either an emotional one (mainly at the horror that someone would suggest their dead child, or potentially dead child could be in Hell) or one that tries to prove the Padeo position, neither of which I am really interested in. Thus, if you're a Padeo, please only respond within the Baptist hermeneutic.
I also know this sounds horrifying to many Baptists, especially those of the Arminian persuasion.
Which finally leads me to my question: Does the Baptist doctrine of Baptism necessitate the idea that babies who die in infancy go to Hell?
And actually, now that I think about it, here is a question specifically aimed at Padeo's: Does your Padeo worldview state that all children of believers who die in infancy are guaranteed heaven? Or do you also subscribe to the usual Reform Baptist response that God is free to elect some and reprobate others?
I know this is probably a super touchy subject, so I apologize if the way I have stated the question (or maybe just asking the question period!) is offensive in any way.