Comments on: Response To R. Albert Mohler: Do Infants Who Die Go To Heaven?

By: selah

selah — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:50:07 +0000

Thanks, Scott. My sentiments, exactly!

By: Donna

Donna — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:54:06 +0000

Amen, Scott!

By: Scott

Scott — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 21:49:58 +0000

Well, I’m certainly thankful that none of you guys are my pastor, as one who has, not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4…but yes, 13 children who are all at home with the Lord. No, there are not two ways to salvation. Salvation has always been by grace. Although the text doesn’t outright say it, 2 Sam. 12:23 suggest strong evidence for those who die before birth or in infancy, or perhaps even in childhood will be in heaven. Other evidence within the Bible leads to the same conclusion, such as the Bible’s clear teaching that God cares for children (see Matt. 18:1–6; 19:13–15). These verses don’t state that children go to heaven but they certainly show us God’s great love for children. The psalmist reminds us that God is “full of compassion and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth” (Ps. 86:15). He is the God who became flesh that He might carry our sins away by His death on the cross (2 Cor. 5:21). He is the God who will comfort Christians in heaven, for “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death; nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain” (Rev. 21:4). We can be assured that God will do what is right and loving because He is the standard of rightness and love. Those considerations alone seem to be evidence enough of God’s particular, electing love shown to the unborn and those who die young. However, another point may be helpful in answering this question. While infants and children have neither sensed their personal sin and need for salvation nor placed their faith in Christ, Scripture teaches that condemnation is based on the clear rejection of God’s revelationâ??whether general or specificâ??not simple ignorance of it (Luke 10:16; John 12:48; 1 Thess. 4:8). Can we definitely say that the unborn and young children have comprehended the truth displayed by God’s general revelation that renders them “without excuse” (Rom. 1:18–20)? They will be judged according to the light they received. Scripture is clear that children and the unborn have original sinâ??including both the propensity to sin as well as the inherent guilt of original sin. But could it be that somehow Christ’s atonement did pay for the guilt for these helpless ones throughout all time? Yes, and therefore it is a credible assumption that a child who dies at an age too young to have made a conscious, willful rejection of Jesus Christ will be taken to be with the Lord. Finally, let me say, it is clear that most folks don’t think about these issues, unless they have personally experienced them. It is sad that some are quick to jump on some theological bandwaggon rather than just admit that there are some things we will not fully know the answers to this side of heaven. However, althought the Bible offers us no explicit answer, we know based on several passages, as well as an understanding of God’s character and His dealings with men, we can develop a good idea of how He works in such situations. Furthermore, it is interesting to me in Scripture that Jesus never called for a decision from children, it was always adults. Finally, let me just say if you guys are preparing for ministry, particularly the pastoral ministry, that you continue to study to show yourself approved, but do not forget the words of Paul, “If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.”

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 17:29:24 +0000

No, we didn’t show a lack of sensitivity, but we show a concern for how that doctrine has found such widespread acceptance among Reformed evangelicals. I’m not saying that I can discern who is a part of the elect (before their conversion), but I can discern whether they are genuienly saved and thereby prove their election sure (2 Pet 1:10 KJV).

Yes we can know how God saves us through Christ. Jesus tells us in John 6:44.

By: Brandon

Brandon — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 15:42:56 +0000

Certainly, Mohler may make some incorrect use of Scripture (such as his exegesis of Mark 10:14).

But your critique shows an alarming amount of eagerness to discern who is and is not part of the elect. While claiming that you neither know nor desire to know, you make necessary and sufficent categories for salvation, which are not so clearly-defined in Scripture. Certainly, we can only come to God through Christ: but can anyone explain exactly how?

Your response–as well as Pastor Morgan’s pretty bizarre one–show a lack of sensitivity and willingness to allow God to act as He will.

By: nick

nick — Tue, 01 Mar 2005 20:55:26 +0000

So would that be your answer to the 30 year old women who comes to you having had 3 miscarriages and suffering from depression?

You are right, this is a sensitive issue and having friends (very close friends) who have had miscarriages it’s not an easy one to just spout out scripture and tell them that their child is not a part of the elect. We must be very careful in how we address this issue not because it is necessarily ‘sensitive’ but because it is a real hurt in the lives of our church body.

I don’t dare make my theological stance so hastily and quickly. I may take years to be fully convinced either way but as a shepherd of the flock I will not be hasty but must understand the scriptures and how they apply to the caring of souls.

By: Terry Morgan

Terry Morgan — Fri, 11 Feb 2005 01:11:10 +0000

This is a good rebuttal to brother Mohler's. I too disagree with brother Mohler's article and will put together some thoughts stating why. This just goes to show that reformed theology is not quite reformed enough -- still sounds very Romanish to me when the extent of depravity is denied leaving the dead and trespasses and sins just "tainted" with original sin. I thought being spiritually dead meant that you were separated from God and that His wrath abided on you. Since when is there more that one way to be saved? 1) Repentance and faith as a gift of God and 2) Dying in infancy and never coming to either repentance and faith by the grace of God. Who, by the way, is able to keep His elect alive until the day of their preordained salvation by those very means. If Mohler's "gospel" (and there is not another) for infants were true then we should openly praise the abortion on demand movement as the greatest evangelical tool to date. We too should kill all of our children and all that we can find to kill before they leave this state of just being "tainted". I guess all of the Hittite children that the Lord had killed are in Heaven too... Pastor Morgan